16
CASTER
ADJUSTING REAR CAMBER
Adjust rear camber using the rear upper camber link;
DO NOT adjust the rear lower pivotballs.
• MORE NEGATIVE rear camber (more inclined):
SHORTEN the rear upper
camber link.
• LESS NEGATIVE rear camber (more upright):
LENGTHEN the rear upper
camber link.
IMPORTANT:
After you set the camber, recheck the ride height settings. Camber and ride
height settings affect each other, so be sure to check each one when you adjust
the other.
CASTER
caster
Caster describes the forward/backward angle of the front steering
block with respect to a line perpendicular to the ground.
Caster angle affects on- and off-power steering, as it tilts the
chassis more or less depending on how much caster is set.
Generally, a lower caster angle (more upright) is better on slippery,
inconsistent, and rough surfaces, and a higher caster angle (more
inclined) is better on smooth, high-traction surfaces.
CAMBER VS. CASTER
Camber is all about contact patch — keeping as much tire on the ground as possible. Camber and caster are related in that caster gives an
amount of effective camber change when the front wheels are turned.
A higher caster angle (more inclined) has the effect of progressively leaning the front tires into the direction of the corner as the wheels are turned.
The higher (more inclined) the caster angle, the greater the effective camber change when the wheels are turned. This happens because the tops
of the wheels BOTH TILT towards the inside of the corner. With the proper amount of caster this can increase steering, but if too much the tire only
runs on the inside edge and loses its contact patch and grip.
Compare that with static camber angle of the wheels, which is adjusted with the car resting on a fl at surface and the wheels pointed straight
ahead.
Static camber adjustments primarily affect the outside wheels, since these are the wheels that bear the majority of the load during cornering. The
amount of front static camber required to maintain maximum tire contact largely depends on the amount of caster used. A higher caster angle
(more inclined) requires less static camber, while a lower caster angle (more upright) requires more static camber. Check how the tires wear when
you change caster and re-adjust static camber if necessary until you get the desired (fl at) wear on the tire.
Another effect of caster is that it tilts the chassis when the front wheels are turned. The higher the caster angle (more inclined), the more the
inside wheel lifts the inside of the chassis from the ground when the wheels are turned into the corner. This tilts the chassis down to the outside,
distributing more weight to the outside wheel.
EFFECTS OF CASTER ADJUSTMENT
Depending on the track surface and tire hardness,
these effects may be different in that you may
always have more steering with more caster. This is
especially true for high-traction tracks and/or soft
tires.
Less caster angle
(more vertical)
• Decreases straight-line stability.
• Increases steering at corner entry.
• Decreases steering at mid-corner and corner exit.
More caster angle
(more inclined)
• Increases straight-line stability.
• Decreases steering at corner entry.
• Increases steering at mid-corner and corner exit.
Summary of Contents for NT1
Page 1: ......
