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alignment help how many shims for caster?

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Old May 2, 2012 | 11:34 AM
  #1  
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From: austin texas
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Default alignment help how many shims for caster?

I was looking over my alignment paper work, and it says my final caster is left=0.1 and right=-0.1. It should be around 6 correct? my jeep wonders all over the road and im thinking this is my prob.

How many shims do i need to use to push the lower controls arm forward enough to give me the caster i want?

my lift is
RC control arm drop brackets
Rusty 4.5 coils
2 coil spacers
RC trac bar
RC drop pitman arm
stock control arms
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Old May 2, 2012 | 11:36 AM
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I would bring it back to the shop that aligned it.
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Old May 2, 2012 | 11:37 AM
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NTB did the aligment they dont touch caster all they do is toe, there preety much worthless.
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Old May 2, 2012 | 11:41 AM
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I've got the same issue, my caster isn't as bad though. +2.81 but it still wanders all over the damn place. Alignment shop didn't even adjust the track bar to center the axle.
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Old May 2, 2012 | 11:43 AM
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yeah its bs i paid them 80$ to do my toe, i could have done that in the drive way with a tape measure for free lol.
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Old May 2, 2012 | 11:47 AM
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I think you're gonna need longer lower control arms to get the caster into spec.
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Old May 2, 2012 | 12:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Bustedback
I think you're gonna need longer lower control arms to get the caster into spec.
x2, if you're running stock control arms with just a drop bracket I don't think you'll get proper caster even with shims.
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Old May 2, 2012 | 12:13 PM
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i dont see why i would need longer LCA it just like putting a 2 lift on a stock xj. but if you guys think i need longer ones what are you thinking like 16" lowers and stock uppers?
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Old May 2, 2012 | 12:14 PM
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making caster shims and doing it yourself is a lot easier than you think. I did it myself. I used two 16 guage steel plates on either side and it worked perfect. i have rustys 3.5" coils with 2" spacers.
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Old May 2, 2012 | 12:17 PM
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i know i can make them my self thats no prob, im wondering how thick do you guys think they need to be to get this thing to 6 degrees from .1?
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Old May 2, 2012 | 12:39 PM
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Originally Posted by cherokee90
I was looking over my alignment paper work, and it says my final caster is left=0.1 and right=-0.1. It should be around 6 correct? my jeep wonders all over the road and im thinking this is my prob.

How many shims do i need to use to push the lower controls arm forward enough to give me the caster i want?

my lift is
RC control arm drop brackets
Rusty 4.5 coils
2 coil spacers
RC trac bar
RC drop pitman arm
stock control arms
Originally Posted by cherokee90
i dont see why i would need longer LCA it just like putting a 2 lift on a stock xj. but if you guys think i need longer ones what are you thinking like 16" lowers and stock uppers?
It's been a complaint to some of the people running drop brackets with the caster that won't go high enough to even get close to spec. They tend to move the lower arm back too much.

+3 on getting adjustable lower arms. There isn't enough slot to get the stock arms forward enough to get it to where it needs to be.
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Old May 2, 2012 | 01:23 PM
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Originally Posted by cherokee90
I was looking over my alignment paper work, and it says my final caster is left=0.1 and right=-0.1. It should be around 6 correct? my jeep wonders all over the road and im thinking this is my prob.

How many shims do i need to use to push the lower controls arm forward enough to give me the caster i want?

my lift is
RC control arm drop brackets
Rusty 4.5 coils
2 coil spacers
RC trac bar
RC drop pitman arm
stock control arms
Originally Posted by cherokee90
i know i can make them my self thats no prob, im wondering how thick do you guys think they need to be to get this thing to 6 degrees from .1?
There is no easy answer for your question....every Jeep is different not to mention you have CAD bracket.
No easy way out....u just have to measure them.

You prob know this, but i'll put it up just in case...
In general, with RC control arms drop bracket at 6.5" (assuming that's what you have), your LCA should be around 16.125" and UCA at around 15.375" (These numbers are just an estimation).
You should be able to get by since you are like around 0.375" off (based on you stock CA length) but Adj CA are still recommended.

CA length spec
RC
RE&RC

Try pushing the LCA all the way forward like this, torque them up (without shims) and see if it help with the caster angle. If i does, measure the gap and install the required shims/washers.

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Old May 2, 2012 | 01:25 PM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by jbsjunk
It's been a complaint to some of the people running drop brackets with the caster that won't go high enough to even get close to spec. They tend to move the lower arm back too much.

+3 on getting adjustable lower arms. There isn't enough slot to get the stock arms forward enough to get it to where it needs to be.
x2.
I have to extend 2 turn on my LCA as well.
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Old May 2, 2012 | 01:26 PM
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You need to find a balance between castor and your front pinion angle. Pointing the pinion down too much to gain castor with a lift can cause vibes.
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Old May 2, 2012 | 02:04 PM
  #15  
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Im just going to get some adj control arms, does anyone wanna recommend a brand. Im looking to spend around $150, im looking at the rustys ones.
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