ABDTR #5 Alberta Chapter #5 Discussion

alignment

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Old Oct 6, 2010 | 08:55 PM
  #1  
k.si.'s Avatar
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alignment

I am in the process of replacing the stock control arms with a set from Carli on my 2006. My question is, with the new lower control arms where do I set the eccentric so that I can drive the truck to the alignment shop. Thank you, ksi.
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Old Oct 6, 2010 | 09:11 PM
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From: Sundre, Alberta
Not really going to matter where it's set as your heading for an alignment right away. For the few miles to the shop, I wouldn't worry about it. To another city or province might be a concern.

Just ball park the eccentrics into the "same" position as the stock arms and drive away.

Jeff
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Old Oct 6, 2010 | 10:08 PM
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That eccentric cam is for caster, you probably could get away with leaving or putting it in the middle. It really shouldn't change to much on how your truck drives.

Toe-in or out and camber have the biggest effect on steering.

CASTER is the forward or rearward tilt of the steering knuckle from vertical. Tilting the top of the knuckle rearward provides positive caster. Tilting the
top of the knuckle forward provides negative caster. Caster is a directional stability angle which enables the front wheels to return to a straight ahead position after turns.
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Old Oct 6, 2010 | 11:29 PM
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wooooo look at mikester with the smarts not just another pretty face 'eh
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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 01:30 AM
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Sounds good. The next challenge will be the upper, rear mounting bolt. I am going to attempt to remove it without having to also remove the exhaust pipe. I plan to take the bolt out in pieces. Thank you, ksi.
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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 08:26 AM
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Honestly, I just do my own alignments. The trick is to get the caster balanced, as if you hit bumps at speed, steering will get abit spooky.

Luke as for smarts, I just copied that out of the dodge 2001 FS...
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Old Oct 7, 2010 | 11:50 PM
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Success, I finished the install of the control arms aswell as a stabilizer bracket. I went on a road test and all is well. The job was fairly straight forward. The only advice that I would like to pass on to others is to remember to fold your side view mirrors in when working on the underside of your truck. The initial contact with the mirror (action) did not hurt to bad. It was when my face slammed into the driveway (reaction) when I fell down that did the most damage. Thanks for all of the advice, ksi.
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Old Oct 10, 2010 | 01:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Mike Holmen
That eccentric cam is for caster, you probably could get away with leaving or putting it in the middle. It really shouldn't change to much on how your truck drives.

Toe-in or out and camber have the biggest effect on steering.

CASTER is the forward or rearward tilt of the steering knuckle from vertical. Tilting the top of the knuckle rearward provides positive caster. Tilting the
top of the knuckle forward provides negative caster. Caster is a directional stability angle which enables the front wheels to return to a straight ahead position after turns.
only thing with caster if your on your toes (neg) steering will be darty
on heels (pos) the steering will be lazy
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Old Oct 11, 2010 | 05:38 PM
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Ya agreed, the more positive caster, the better. I run 4 deg's on mine. Stock is around 3 to 3.5. The only down side to running more caster, it increases the pinion angle on the front diff.
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