Caster settings 1977 C10

[Steppin Razor]

Hi all. Does anyone know the caster specs for a 77 C10? I replaced my upper control arms and I'm trying to get a baseline setting. I did my tie rods previously and two alignment shops told me they won't do the caster/camber for less than $150 and that they'd have to order shims. I had one do the toe and give me the numbers for caster as it sat, then did the upper control arms. I found a video that suggested a 1/8" was just a touch less than a degree, but I don't know what the starting caster is with no shims and what number I'm looking for. I had negative caster according to the alignment shop, so I know I needed to change what was in there. The video was for a car, maybe camaro (hard to tell because the video was shot too close) so I don't know if my baseline is the same as his (which appeared to be 7degrees positive).

So anyone know the numbers baseline (no shims) and what the specs are? TIA

 

[TotalyHucked]

I don't know what the spec is but I've always just dialed in (or told the shop to do it) as much positive caster as you can get. Done that on every car I've ever lined or paid to be lined. It drive's much better that way, is more stable and the wheel returns to center better.

 

[Ricko1966]

You are supposed to check frame angle and then use a chart that I don't have. I'd go with 3 degrees positive caster, 1/4-1/2 degree negative camber and an 1/8th inch of toe. Yea measuring toe in inches is kinda crude,because the actual degrees change with tire diameter,but as long as you have a little bit of toe you'll be fine. If you have a drift towards the right subtract 1/2 degree of caster on the left

 

[fast 99]

When replacing front end parts I just put whatever shims were there back in. Was usually close enough to drive to an alignment shop.

Factory tolerances were all over the place. Have seen vehicles with no shims and others with 3/8" plus.

Really need to find a shop that specializes in alignments. $150 seems a little high but not over the top. Here alignments are around $100.

Most cars today do not use shims. Likely the tech doing the work has never seen a shimmed front end or doesn't want to do it. They can be more time consuming. Numbers above are a good baseline setting.

 

[Ricko1966]

You need to do a caster sweep. To do a caster sweep you will need to buy a caster camber gauge. Wheel straight ahead turn the wheel 20 degrees right read camber,turn the wheels 20 degrees left read camber again subtract to find the difference,multiply x 1.5 that's your caster number. You'll have to repeat the process on the other wheel. Remember when changing camber you move shims equally front and rear,to change caster you only change front or rear shim,depending on what you need. Set caster,then camber,then toe.