[jhama78]

Greetings all, I was wondering what degree shims I need to correct the caster angle on my 84 p/u. It has a set of 5" skyjacker springs and stock shackles. There are no degree shims at all under the spring pack. Its has decent steering response but it wanders just a little bit. The torque bar is still intact and the bushings are not worn out. Also I disassembled, inspected and greased the draglink in hopes that it was causing the slight play in the steering but it wasnt. The toe in may be out a little bit but I dont thing thats the whole problem. I was hoping to install a little bit longer front shackles to help it flex better but I dont want to accentuate the problem that I already have. If anyone knows the correct toe in and degree shim values please let me know. Thanks fer all yer time.


-j-rOd

 

[ErikB]

Try here for some info:
http://www.outdoorwire.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=11&t=004349

You'll probably have to figure out what your caster is at now before you can decide what shim to put in, if needed.
Also wait until the longer shackles are on because that will increase the caster.

Increased caster generally makes the truck track straighter and might help solve your wandering problem...

 

[zags]

If you want it to drive like a stock vehicle,
take the lift off and run 235/75 15s. Or,better yet,why not lower it and go with big sway bars and 20 in wheels? <IMG SRC="smilies/rainbow.gif" border="0">
If the wheels are toe'd out it will wander.
Take and get it aligned.

[ 09-13-2001: Message edited by: zags ]

 

[4CrawlR]

Originally posted by jhama78:
<STRONG>Greetings all, I was wondering what degree shims I need to correct the caster angle on my 84 p/u. It has a set of 5" skyjacker springs and stock shackles. There are no degree shims at all under the spring pack. Its has decent steering response but it wanders just a little bit. The torque bar is still intact and the bushings are not worn out. Also I disassembled, inspected and greased the draglink in hopes that it was causing the slight play in the steering but it wasnt. The toe in may be out a little bit but I dont thing thats the whole problem. I was hoping to install a little bit longer front shackles to help it flex better but I dont want to accentuate the problem that I already have. If anyone knows the correct toe in and degree shim values please let me know. Thanks fer all yer time</STRONG>

I have some specs on my page:

Solid axle steering specs

With straight lift springs you should need no shims, unless the stock torque rod is under tension and pulling the top of the axle forward, which would kill a lot of the built in caster angle. See if you can find an alignment shop that will just check your alignment and give you a report. A longer shackle will increase your caster angle at least if the torque rod lets it. I found I needed an adjustable torque rod with 3.5" of lift to get the pre-load out of the torque rod at rest.

Set the toe in at least, its easy to do with a tape measure, I run about 1/8" toe in measured at the front and back of the tires.