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Way too much Caster? (I know another one of these)

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by TacoRuthe, May 15, 2012.

  1. May 15, 2012 at 7:57 PM
    #1
    TacoRuthe

    TacoRuthe [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Hey all I am relitively new to lifting and owning a truck for that matter, currently have 2011 DC PreRunner Tacoma.

    Well recently I decided to pull the trigger on some new wheels and tires. I went with 18"x9 XD Monsters w/ BFG TA KO 285/65/r18's and I have started to run into issues with my alignment. Also have Bilsteins at 2.5".

    At first I had no rubbing issuesand the truck seemed to drive as close to normal as it can get after a lift, however, i wanted the best handling possible so i invested in some TC UCA's. After installing i had the worst rubbing on my cab mounts (near full lock). So now my problem is i cant get into the "ideal" caster range without my tires rubbing.

    I tried 2.4ish and it rubbed severly, so currently my speccs sit at

    Left / Right
    camber -.01 / -.01
    caster 3.83 / 4.3
    toe .06 / .02

    This much caster give me no rubbing, So i guess my question is , is this decent alignment specs and if not would downsizing to a 265/65r18 alieviate some rubbing issues and allow me to align within speccs or........is my only option to have gone with a smaller rim size like 17"

    Thanks
     
  2. May 15, 2012 at 8:00 PM
    #2
    KenLyns

    KenLyns 8.75" Third Member

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    How can 2.4 deg of caster rub severely but 4.3 deg doesn't? More caster means the wheel is tilted back more (upper ball joint moved rearward).
     
  3. May 15, 2012 at 8:21 PM
    #3
    TacoLife08

    TacoLife08 Well-Known Member

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    That is way to much caster to answer your question, whether it rubs or not
     
  4. May 15, 2012 at 8:26 PM
    #4
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Caster is added by moving the lower ball joint forward (Adjuster cams on the lower control arm), so adding more caster will move the tire forward in the wheel well, thus reducing rubbing at the rear.
     
  5. May 15, 2012 at 8:26 PM
    #5
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    It should be fine.
     
  6. May 15, 2012 at 8:27 PM
    #6
    TacoLife08

    TacoLife08 Well-Known Member

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    Meh, Listen to him ^^
     
  7. May 15, 2012 at 8:27 PM
    #7
    anthony250f

    anthony250f Well-Known Member

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  8. May 15, 2012 at 8:29 PM
    #8
    TacoRuthe

    TacoRuthe [OP] Well-Known Member

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    All I know is it rubbed like hell when my caster was around 2.4, unless.....the speccs the guy told me were incorrect. They did do it the old school way and didnt have a print out, just a sheet with a bunch of numbers written down.
     
  9. May 15, 2012 at 8:31 PM
    #9
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Odds are, your actual caster is closer to 3*, or just a tad below. Regardless, the numbers look fine.
     
  10. May 15, 2012 at 8:32 PM
    #10
    TacoRuthe

    TacoRuthe [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So, your saying that the less caster i have the more "pushed forward" the tire should be in the wheel well?
     
  11. May 15, 2012 at 8:32 PM
    #11
    username

    username Fluffer

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    It might wander a little and under steer some if you push it hard in corners, but it will be fine.
     
  12. May 15, 2012 at 8:33 PM
    #12
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    Who are you asking?
     
  13. May 15, 2012 at 8:33 PM
    #13
    chris4x4

    chris4x4 With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. Moderator

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    With that much caster, he shouldnt have any wandering at all.
     
  14. May 15, 2012 at 8:37 PM
    #14
    TacoRuthe

    TacoRuthe [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Alright well my main concern really was tire wear, it actually drives fine. I was only alarmed because the "ideal" speccs for caster are no where near mine.

    Is it normal to have to increase caster so much for clearance? Im still baffled as to how my stock UCA's had no rubbing issues......


    forget the last thing i said, you already answred it Chris (didnt read it fully)
     
  15. May 15, 2012 at 8:54 PM
    #15
    TacoRuthe

    TacoRuthe [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Well thanks for all the input, this kind of clears my mind alittle bit. I cant stand when my truck isnt perfect :D

    I'm guessing there really is no solution to my problem besides just keeping a higher caster or changing wheel sizes?
     
  16. Jul 18, 2012 at 6:06 PM
    #16
    TacomaChris

    TacomaChris Well-Known Member

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    No it's not - the specs for 2011 Prerunners are 3.5 to 5 for caster...it should be fine. Also, the caster will not affect the tire wear at all...just the handling
     
  17. Jul 18, 2012 at 6:14 PM
    #17
    DevL

    DevL Well-Known Member

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    UCA adds caster by miving upper joint back. This moves whole wheel back. At 2.4/2.6 caster I also rubbed. Had to move caster to 3.4/3.6 to stop rubbing with cab mount chop, hammer pinch weld, and trim fender to stop rubbing 100% at all steering angles and all levels of compression. Have alignment tech move caster as far forward as possible while maintaining 0.0 to 0.1 camber. This will be in the mid 3s if your UCA adds 2 deg of caster. 1 degree caster = about 1 finger width movement fore/aft.
     

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