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Hot Rods Caster question with dropped axle

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by 47ragtop, Oct 20, 2014.

  1. 47ragtop
    Joined: Feb 8, 2007
    Posts: 663

    47ragtop
    Member

    Are there any problems with caster when installing a dropped axle in a 40 coupe ? The wishbone will remain unsplit - just want a dropped axle and reversed eye spring to make her low in the front . The rear will be lowered some but not much. I am concerned about death wobble , shimmy ect. Thanks !
     
  2. caton462
    Joined: Jul 17, 2013
    Posts: 176

    caton462
    Member

    Some guidelines: Typically want more positive caster on the passenger side because of road crown pull, if the car gets death wobble it is usually because of too much positive caster or loose parts, a steering wheel that tries to break your arm when you hit a dip in the road = too negative caster.
     
  3. If its dropped correctly you shouldn't have much change in caster. I say not much because the caster is measured as an angle according to the ground but the caster is attached to the frame that will have a different angle to the ground because its now lowered. So not much. it will move the wheels back slightly decreasing the wheelbase.

    When cars are dropped in the front and raised in the back you really need to be mindful of the caster then.
     
  4. jseery
    Joined: Sep 4, 2013
    Posts: 743

    jseery
    Member
    from Wichita KS

    Most Hot Rodders shoot for 3 to 5 degrees. It is not hard to adjust with a pie-cut in the radius rods and re-weld, just did that to mine.
     

  5. dana barlow
    Joined: May 30, 2006
    Posts: 5,115

    dana barlow
    Member
    from Miami Fla.
    1. Y-blocks

    5* is fine for a 40 Ford coupe w/v8{But if its a very big havey=cady or hemi,you can go down to 4*. Very lite rods like T-buckets work best with 7* but same thing/as motor gets more lb's can be 6*= this must be with top of kingpin behind bottom of kingpin. The more caster you use,the better car runs strait,but the harder it is to steer in a parking lot/tire psi also has a lot of feel in put= hard tire steers EZ but rides hard,soft tire rides smooth but turns hard in parking lot,its a balance you need to fine. The size steering wheel also has a lot to do with feel an control,never go smaller then 13.5in. bigger is better up to stock size.
    Deathwobble can happen from one bad or a combo of bad things,but can always be fixed. Besure front wheels are not wide or big havey tires,they must be round, strait and in balance,this goes for rims and hub/brake drum or disk. The front rim off set needs to be so were the center line of kingpin points to the ground,it hit the road inside the tire tread patch mark on road. All parts need to be in good shape so there is no sloopy in tierod ends or anything from steering wheel to the tire. Tow in set at 1/8 to 1/4in.
     
    Last edited: Oct 20, 2014
  6. 47ragtop
    Joined: Feb 8, 2007
    Posts: 663

    47ragtop
    Member

    Thanks guys.
     

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