How to meassure/calculate caster angle?

[Wesslan]

The past hours Ive been searching for info about how to meassure the caster on a car/on my s13.

I know how to meassure camber, and adjust toe...
The only info i found was here: Sheldon's DIY Miata Alignment Page

And this formula: Caster (deg) = (180 / 3.1415) * [(camber1 - camber2) / (turnangle1 - turnangle2)]


I dont really get it, how its done.. can someone help me out?

[steady eddie]

To measure the caster angle you need :

Camber gauge and

A pair of turntables (to measure turning 20 degrees in each direction acturately)

Tell me if you have these first, to save me typing the whole procedure out for nothing

[Bolf]

Iphone ftw.

[Wesslan]

i have access to those parts yes...

[steady eddie]

i have access to those parts yes...

Fine....

Make sure your on a level and even surface (home drive is no use as it has a fall for rain etc)

You already know how to measure the camber angle so this is how to measure the caster.

With the wheels on the turntables and pointing straight ahead, zero your turntables.

Turn steering wheel to the right 20 deg (if your turntables have locks, lock them at this position.. if not get someone to hold the wheel steady)

Use the camber gauge as you normaly would at 90deg to level surface, adjust the gauge to read ZERO.

Now turn the steering wheel left till you reach 20deg in the opposite direction (total of 40deg) and lock turntable.

Without altering the camber gauge setting, hold it at 90deg to level and the reading will be your caster angle

repeat on the left side wheel

job done

[Wesslan]

thanks, i think i get the idea. what kind of camber guage do you use?

edit: found this in your thread:

[mushtafa]

remember to keep your foot on the brake when going lock to lock.