Suspension & Brakes Springs | Shocks | Handling | Rotors

Alignment question regarding caster

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 1, 2010 | 07:39 PM
  #1  
Dezell's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
Default Alignment question regarding caster

I took my 98 Trans AM for alignment after changing my tie rods.

The guys at Firestone said that front castor can't be adjusted. They said that may frame maybe bend. Is this true or do we have a lazy tech?

The car pulls during breaking I noticed.
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2010 | 08:17 PM
  #2  
Wesmanw02's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 4
Default

Originally Posted by Dezell
I took my 98 Trans AM for alignment after changing my tie rods.

The guys at Firestone said that front castor can't be adjusted. They said that may frame maybe bend. Is this true or do we have a lazy tech?

The car pulls during breaking I noticed.
A pull during braking is typically caused by a seized caliper.

Does the car pull when you are off the brakes?? If the caster is in fact out of spec on one front wheel, it will always cause a pull to the side of least caster, regardless of brake application.

Caster is adjustable as well, the adjustment is in the lower control arm. However, if the tech adjusted it all the way in one direction and its still not in spec, the chassis could be tweaked.
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2010 | 10:25 PM
  #3  
SS SLP2's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 0
From: SILSBEE TX
Default

Originally Posted by Wesmanw02
A pull during braking is typically caused by a seized caliper.

Does the car pull when you are off the brakes?? If the caster is in fact out of spec on one front wheel, it will always cause a pull to the side of least caster, regardless of brake application.

Caster is adjustable as well, the adjustment is in the lower control arm. However, if the tech adjusted it all the way in one direction and its still not in spec, the chassis could be tweaked.
^^ I agree,
but if unable to gain proper spec. they may be able to offset one side against the other( a about 0.50 % lead on right siide) to over come pull
( IF pull is no brake related)
Johnny
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2010 | 11:35 PM
  #4  
Dezell's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered User
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: South Jersey
Default

Wow you guys are good. Thanks Wesman & Johnny.

Now I have couple things to check this week. I'll have to do a little more road testing to do. I think you're right about the capiler. The problem is intermittent with the pulling. I double check the lower control arms too while I'm at it.

Thanks again for your help!

-Drew
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2010 | 06:21 PM
  #5  
leadfoot4's Avatar
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,621
Likes: 11
From: Webster, NY
Default

Originally Posted by Dezell
I took my 98 Trans AM for alignment after changing my tie rods.

The guys at Firestone said that front castor can't be adjusted. They said that may frame maybe bend. Is this true or do we have a lazy tech?

The car pulls during breaking I noticed.

Didn't they give you a printout of "before" and "after" settings??


I'm sure your caster can be "adjusted", maybe just not within spec, possibly due to some past damage, or just a lazy tech that doesn't want to mess with a frozen bolt, or a worn bushing, stuff like that. Most "franchise shops" specialize in the time honored, "toe and go"..........
Reply
Old Mar 2, 2010 | 09:22 PM
  #6  
Wesmanw02's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,369
Likes: 4
Default

Originally Posted by Dezell
Wow you guys are good. Thanks Wesman & Johnny.

Now I have couple things to check this week. I'll have to do a little more road testing to do. I think you're right about the capiler. The problem is intermittent with the pulling. I double check the lower control arms too while I'm at it.

Thanks again for your help!

-Drew
No problem man, let us know how you make out.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2010 | 03:14 AM
  #7  
tillery's Avatar
12 Second Club
20 Year Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Default

And Find a better shop than most chain tire places. NTB really messed mine up and found a local shop that specializes in this and now its staying on the road.
Reply
Old Mar 3, 2010 | 07:55 PM
  #8  
doublea87's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis, MO
Default

yup 1st problem is firestone. i just quit from there after 4 years. i wouldnt go there. f-bodies require a special tool that makes adjusting camber/caster a hell of a lot easier than pry bars. the tech most likely didnt want to mess with it. i would take it back and complain. bitch enough at firestone and you will get anything! beleive me... free alignment done right the second time
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:42 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE