Feels like im driving an 18 wheeler

[vinnieTy]

Re: Feels like im driving an 18 wheeler

The wider the tire, the more caster you will want.

Caster is the angle of the line made between the two balljoints as compared to vertical. Positive is the top towards the rear of the truck. 5* is the minimum I like to run (I run 275's on the front of my 2wd), and would take more if I could get it. The more caster you have the more the spindle will try to remain pointed straight. Your steering effort will go up some as a result of this, but not enough to worry about. The extra little effort is well worth a straight tracking vehicle!!

I have about 1/4" toe in on my truck right now and it needs WAY less. I'm going to set it closer to 0 toe. If you autocross or road race very often, I would set it to 1/8" or so toe out. It will dart like a sumbiotch with any toe out though, so adjust that setting carefully, and be ready for it!

I dont race or drive my truck hard but i want it to be safe. What is the best setting for my type of driving with a 9.5 wide front wheel?

 

[2kwik4u]

Re: Feels like im driving an 18 wheeler

I dont race or drive my truck hard but i want it to be safe. What is the best setting for my type of driving with a 9.5 wide front wheel?

Some like more some like less. Go with the "best" settings I have above. Thats an excellent starting point.

Camber should be between zero and minus 1/2 degree....Closer to zero is better, but you never want positive.

Toe should be between zero and 1/8"....Again, closer to zero is better, but you never want it toed out

Start with 5 to 6 degrees of positive caster. If you feel the steering is too heavy, take a little caster out. If you feel like it still darts too much, add some more in.

See if you can find an alignment shop that is willing to do the following things;
See the machine that he's doing the alignment with.
Set the alignment TO spec, not just NEAR spec
Test drive with you, and let you try several settings.
Finding a GOOD alignment guy is hard to due. Also be prepared once you find the following shop to have to pay a little more. A standard $50 alignment from Wal-Mart isn't going to get you even close. Just like everything else in life, you get what you pay for. I've spent as much as $150 on an alignment to get exactly what I wanted. I've since started using Jeff Scott's gauge and doing it myself because my trusted shop has new management and won't let me in the bay anymore.

 

[vinnieTy]

Re: Feels like im driving an 18 wheeler

Some like more some like less. Go with the "best" settings I have above. Thats an excellent starting point.

Camber should be between zero and minus 1/2 degree....Closer to zero is better, but you never want positive.

Toe should be between zero and 1/8"....Again, closer to zero is better, but you never want it toed out

Start with 5 to 6 degrees of positive caster. If you feel the steering is too heavy, take a little caster out. If you feel like it still darts too much, add some more in.

See if you can find an alignment shop that is willing to do the following things;
See the machine that he's doing the alignment with.
Set the alignment TO spec, not just NEAR spec
Test drive with you, and let you try several settings.
Finding a GOOD alignment guy is hard to due. Also be prepared once you find the following shop to have to pay a little more. A standard $50 alignment from Wal-Mart isn't going to get you even close. Just like everything else in life, you get what you pay for. I've spent as much as $150 on an alignment to get exactly what I wanted. I've since started using Jeff Scott's gauge and doing it myself because my trusted shop has new management and won't let me in the bay anymore.

Thanks 2kwik but i wont go to anyplace like walmart. I always go to someone i know. I have a guy who does wheel alignments and that is all he does so i dont see any worries to do a setting go for a ride and then come back and tell him what i dont like about it.

thanks i appreciate all the help.

 

[Don W.]

Re: Feels like im driving an 18 wheeler

These are the specs 2kiwik4u stated do you recommend the same?

"best" specs are something like below

0 to -1/2* of camber
5*+ caster
0 to 1/8"in toe

I went with these:

http://www.sportmachines.com/maintenance/alignment.php

 

[Ty 1885]

Re: Feels like im driving an 18 wheeler

If you lowered your front end, you may need steering stabilizer.
When i lowered mine, that thing was all over the road if i hit a bump, after it was smooth.

Just one more thing, 18 wheelers have air ride sus, they are very smooth , i know i drive one everyday.

 

[vinnieTy]

Re: Feels like im driving an 18 wheeler

If you lowered your front end, you may need steering stabilizer.
When i lowered mine, that thing was all over the road if i hit a bump, after it was smooth.

Just one more thing, 18 wheelers have air ride sus, they are very smooth , i know i drive one everyday.

There is one installed but not sure if it is any good anymore. What type did you get and where did you get it?

 

[Vertigo]

Re: Feels like im driving an 18 wheeler

Vinnie, thanks for starting this thread. I actually thought someone was reading my mind.
Last week I replaced the rag-joint shaft with a jeep's double u-joint one. The slop at the centre of the box was taken up and transitions from left-right-left are more precise. What I *don't* like now is that my zq8 box is a little light around centre. While steering, after roughly 5* off centre, the wheel becomes really hard to turn. I'm sure it's due to the wide tires and a tight VC more than extreme caster.

But again, thanks for starting the thread. I'm sure my alignment guy went to GM specs of 2* so I'll head back to a shop and get at least 5* Caster.

(FWIW I've also replaced everything including bushings. No stabilizer though. On the To-Do list is rear leaf bushings however I'm not so sure the old worn ones are affecting the steering feel)

 

[Ty 1885]

Re: Feels like im driving an 18 wheeler

I got Ranchero, from ebay. Works great.