setting caster angle

[antt]

just wondering what the best way to measure your caster angle when setting up a front link setup? i've searched and it seems that the pinion angle should be 15 degrees from horizontal, or about 4-5 degrees of caster.

but how do u actually measure this on the diff? need to know as i'll be setting up the chassis mount for the upper arm for my front 3 link, and the upper link isn't adjustable, so need to get it right.

[oozuk]

its the castor angle on the kingpins thats more important than the pinion
cos thats what predicits you steering geometery

so between the two kingpins on each side perfect up and down thru the kingpins is 0 castor so when you've sussed that out then you rake it back form there till you get what you want bout 5deg+ is good for good steering

[sierrajim]

Will this not vary depending on the type of diffs being used on the vehicle?

[antt]

i know that straight up and down is 0 degrees, but how do you actually measure the 5 degrees?? just by eye or what?

i'm thinkin a bit of steel up through the kingpins, then sit a protractor on a spirit level above the ball, and till the diff back till ya reading 5 degrees on the protractor.

or is there a simpler way???

[RB zook]

can buy a magnetic device that shows the angle

[antt]

been searchin on pirate, guess i'll have to buy an angle finder.

can i put the angle finder on the flat machined surface under the bearing caps on the swivel hubs, or will i have to strip all the hub off and place it onto the top of the bearing races??

[RB zook]

if you take 2 of the 4 king pin bolts out it wil give you enough surface to put the angle finder on

[antt]

cheers rb, wasn't sure if they were perpendicular to the kingpins or not, but i guess they are, saves a lot of work

think i'll be usin a normal angle finder, the digital jobbies start at $200 and go into the thousands