Caster maxed out

Dave B · February 28, 2018

Recently just put a 2.5 in leveling kit in my 2018 Silverado crew. I used the top strut spacer and rear blocks I also put in the rough country after market upper control arms for better upper ball joint angle. I had an alignment done and the shop I had it done at said they had my caster maxed out and it was still 2.9 degrees positive on both sides. The dealer told me not to worry about it n it wouldn’t affect wear and tear on the tires or front end components and it also could be a false reading on the alignment rack itself due to the fact that the blocks in the rear actually changes the angle of the rear axle and the machine tries to fix this by changing the caster in the front. Wondering if there’s any aftermarket kit that anyone’s heard of to get more caster adjustment or maybe other people’s experiences with this as I’m sure I’m not the only one.

Grumpy Bear · February 28, 2018

It has an eccentric just like the camber. Moog I believe has a set with more reach.

The rear blocks change pinion angle but only change castor if rear blocks are of different heights than the front spacers.

The alignment rack can't alter, compensate or fix that by itself.

Excessive castor 1.) roughens ride 2.) alters camber on turn in and increases tire edge wear. This number however is in spec overall.

Left front caster and camber need to be about a quarter degree more positive than the right for road crown compensation with zero trust angle.

Dave B · February 28, 2018

Thank you, I was looking at MOOG set but all it said on their website was direct oem replacement making it sound like they’re exactly what come stock. My ride is a little tougher than I anticipated I know the leveling kit doesn’t help at all but I had a 2015 before this with the same kit I have now n was a smoother ride. I figured my caster adjustment had something to do with this

Grumpy Bear · February 28, 2018

2 hours ago, Dave B said:

Thank you, I was looking at MOOG set but all it said on their website was direct oem replacement making it sound like they’re exactly what come stock. My ride is a little tougher than I anticipated I know the leveling kit doesn’t help at all but I had a 2015 before this with the same kit I have now n was a smoother ride. I figured my caster adjustment had something to do with this

MOOG has a line called "Problem Solvers". If not them you might have to dig a little deeper. I'm sure this isn't the first time this has happened. Someone is making them. Did you ask Rough Country? In any event...it is in spec. 3 is max on the right side. 3.2 on the left. At minimum add .2 to the drivers side or take .2 out of the off side. Which ever you have room on the adjusters for. Then you will have to work with shock dampening for ride quality or tires.

Where is the toe adjustment sitting? Sometimes if it is at one extreme moving it closer to center will buy you a hint of castor.

Just spit balling here.

Dave B · February 28, 2018

9 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

MOOG has a line called "Problem Solvers". If not them you might have to dig a little deeper. I'm sure this isn't the first time this has happened. Someone is making them. Did you ask Rough Country? In any event...it is in spec. 3 is max on the right side. 3.2 on the left. At minimum add .2 to the drivers side or take .2 out of the off side. Which ever you have room on the adjusters for. Then you will have to work with shock dampening for ride quality or tires.

Where is the toe adjustment sitting? Sometimes if it is at one extreme moving it closer to center will buy you a hint of castor.

Just spit balling here.

I’ve been looking around I’ve checked rough country’s site I don’t be see anything from them. Both of My adjusters are maxed out for caster and my toe is close to center around .7 degrees off center.

Grumpy Bear · March 1, 2018

1 hour ago, Dave B said:

I’ve been looking around I’ve checked rough country’s site I don’t be see anything from them. Both of My adjusters are maxed out for caster and my toe is close to center around .7 degrees off center.

Well I tired Sorry.