Caster alignment adjustment?

[funboy102]

Does anyone know if this is possible on the Gen 1? The person doing my alignment says this is non-adjustable on this car, and I 95% believe him. I was just wondering what you guys know about the car... The reason I ask is because my left front caster is at +3.0 which is not within spec, and also causing me to pull to the right of the road very slightly

[bassthrive]

I have been told the same, that it is unadjustable and I just have to live with the (very slight) pull.

[funboy102]

thanks

[campfire9]

I checked out familycar.com/alignment.htm and they said " on many front-wheel-drive vehicles, caster is not adjustable. If the caster is out on these cars, it indicates that something is worn or bent, possibly from an accident and must be repaired or replaced". I have heard that if a rod is bent that some people have had a torch heat the rod to get back in specifications. Don't know for sure but this is what I heard. Otherwise I would think the only alternative is to replace parts.

[funboy102]

^^^ yeah... the alignment said that if I get new struts, it might fix the problem

[orlin03]

Caster is adjustable, just not conventionally. The bolts can be loosened, and parts can be nudged fore/aft to make up differences. However, if your camber is good, it is usually a better idea to leave the caster slightly off. I adjust this all the time, when I have both caster and camber out of range, and I can usually get them back relatively close.

[funboy102]

Caster is adjustable, just not conventionally. The bolts can be loosened, and parts can be nudged fore/aft to make up differences. However, if your camber is good, it is usually a better idea to leave the caster slightly off. I adjust this all the time, when I have both caster and camber out of range, and I can usually get them back relatively close.

I think I know what you mean by not conventionally...

The guy said that if i wanted to adjust caster, i can try widening the strut mount holes on top, that way, i can move the top mount slightly forward which would give me less positive caster... does this make sense?

[unbalancedwood]

The 'hole' where the strut comes through?

or the three smaller bolts?

Idk if i would risk something like that, I would think it would try to move around too much...

[orlin03]

Actually, he's right. I have done that on cars that have been in accidents to straighten the track. He's talking about the three holes, and as long as new lock washers and thread locker is used, the bolts won't move around. sometimes, you can just loosen those bolts while weight is on the car, and the car will settle back into the spot it needs, or can be nudged. Have your struts been replaced? If the suspension parts were tightened with the car in the air without a jack putting pressure on the front end, everything will be off.

[funboy102]

Actually, he's right. I have done that on cars that have been in accidents to straighten the track. He's talking about the three holes, and as long as new lock washers and thread locker is used, the bolts won't move around. sometimes, you can just loosen those bolts while weight is on the car, and the car will settle back into the spot it needs, or can be nudged. Have your struts been replaced? If the suspension parts were tightened with the car in the air without a jack putting pressure on the front end, everything will be off.

Hey unbalancedwood, orlin03 is right. I am talking about the three holes on top. and yes, my struts have been replaced... and the parts were tightened with the car in the air... but a jack was holding the car up? it's not okay? what now?... I heard when the caster is off, it doesn't affect tire wear that much, it's just more of an annoyance, the fact that it cause the car to pull to a side.