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Caster adjustment? by Samohtneas
Started on: 01-21-2010 05:11 PM
Replies: 19
Last post by: theogre on 01-26-2010 01:41 PM
Samohtneas
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Report this Post01-21-2010 05:11 PM Click Here to See the Profile for SamohtneasSend a Private Message to SamohtneasDirect Link to This Post
Is there ANY way to adjust caster on the front wheels in the Fiero? I've been told you can onyl adjust toe, and camber to some extent provided you have slotted ball joints, but other then that I'm screwed? My steering feels rather heavy, and going into some corners I feel like my car isn't dealing with it correctly. Maybe I still don't know how an MR car drives, how to drive it properly or all of the above. But I don't remember things feeling this "heavy."

Ideas? My car has a full suspension setup, front/rear sways, all poly bushings, Koni struts and Technique lowering springs. Sitting on 15" GT wheels on 205's, if grip might have something to do with it.
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Report this Post01-21-2010 05:16 PM Click Here to See the Profile for unboundmoSend a Private Message to unboundmoDirect Link to This Post
Mine is just camber and toe in and out. I don't know if there is a caster. I don't think there was. I have the 88 setup from Held.

I would think that your toe is fight each other. have have some camber set in mine for the grip but my alignment isn't perfect and I feel a light fighting between the 2 wheels. Not much - but it's there
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Samohtneas
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Report this Post01-21-2010 05:27 PM Click Here to See the Profile for SamohtneasSend a Private Message to SamohtneasDirect Link to This Post
Quite frankly that kinda sucks, lol Even with the HD Motorsport front end you can't adjust it? The $900 front track suspension?
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Samohtneas
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Report this Post01-21-2010 06:30 PM Click Here to See the Profile for SamohtneasSend a Private Message to SamohtneasDirect Link to This Post

Samohtneas

310 posts
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http://dwayne9.addr.com/fiero.html

I guess I just need to save up my money.. $1100 for a full tubular front end + coilovers? Count me in.
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Report this Post01-21-2010 06:46 PM Click Here to See the Profile for BloozberrySend a Private Message to BloozberryDirect Link to This Post
From the '86 Service Manual:

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TopNotch
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Report this Post01-21-2010 07:23 PM Click Here to See the Profile for TopNotchClick Here to visit TopNotch's HomePageSend a Private Message to TopNotchDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by unboundmo:

Mine is just camber and toe in and out. I don't know if there is a caster. I don't think there was. I have the 88 setup from Held.


On a real 88, according to the Helms manual, you can adjust camber and caster, to some extent.
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TK
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Report this Post01-21-2010 09:30 PM Click Here to See the Profile for TKSend a Private Message to TKDirect Link to This Post
Most stock Fiero's come with a pair of 6mm washers. The alignment kit comes with a 3 and 9mm. They are still available if you look around. The important thing is to make sure you either use two 6's or a 3 and 9mm. You can't put both on one end either. If you need more than a 3 and 9 something is really wrong.

I always just put the 9 in from and the 3 in back to get max caster.

[This message has been edited by TK (edited 01-21-2010).]

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rogergarrison
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Report this Post01-22-2010 09:25 AM Click Here to See the Profile for rogergarrisonSend a Private Message to rogergarrisonDirect Link to This Post
Far as I know, the washers are the only adjustment on a stock Fiero. I also like setting for maximum caster...just makes the car more stable at higher speed to me. Anytime you replace ball joints, buy the adjustable ones and you will have more adjustment.
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TopNotch
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Report this Post01-22-2010 11:13 AM Click Here to See the Profile for TopNotchClick Here to visit TopNotch's HomePageSend a Private Message to TopNotchDirect Link to This Post
On an 88, the bar on which the upper control arm pivots does not go through anything on the cross-member like in the above picture. Instead, it is flattened in the middle with two holes in it. They are bolted to the cross-member, and are enlarged a bit to allow both fore-and-aft, and in-and-out adjustment. That's how you adjust camber and caster on an 88.

[This message has been edited by TopNotch (edited 01-22-2010).]

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KurtAKX
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Report this Post01-22-2010 02:07 PM Click Here to See the Profile for KurtAKXSend a Private Message to KurtAKXDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by rogergarrison:

Far as I know, the washers are the only adjustment on a stock Fiero. I also like setting for maximum caster...just makes the car more stable at higher speed to me. Anytime you replace ball joints, buy the adjustable ones and you will have more adjustment.


I agree, and the other nice thing caster does is bring the front wheels back on center quicker coming out of a turn.
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Samohtneas
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Report this Post01-22-2010 02:34 PM Click Here to See the Profile for SamohtneasSend a Private Message to SamohtneasDirect Link to This Post
I recently had new ball joints put on, from the Fiero Store. Buddy said they were slotted so the camber is probably slightly adjustable to an extent.

My car likes to go to the right of the road if I let go of the steering wheel, it starts immediately but it only gradually makes it's way over. I'm not sure if this is because of the crown of the road (Usually test it on a major highway though so it's just about flat), the way a non-power steering car is or if I could just use some more positive caster.

Not to mention, the steering feels rather heavy at some points during a corner. Again, probably me just not knowing how to corner in an MR car. Almost two years ownership and I'm still finding things to worry about suspension wise. God only knows it's probably me, lol

This is an 86, by the way.

[This message has been edited by Samohtneas (edited 01-22-2010).]

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Report this Post01-22-2010 02:53 PM Click Here to See the Profile for TKSend a Private Message to TKDirect Link to This Post
You can dial out the road crown tracking but then it goes weird on other roads. The amount of effort to stay straight on a crown is small enough I just deal with it.

I've found that max caster in the front with little to no rear toe and max rear camber (and stay in spec) seems to make the car stay straight and not wander. I don't know what an 88 likes.
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doublec4
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Report this Post01-25-2010 11:24 AM Click Here to See the Profile for doublec4Send a Private Message to doublec4Direct Link to This Post
Anybody know where to still find these alignment washers for the adjustible caster?

I'd like to pick up a set!

Thanks

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TK
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Report this Post01-25-2010 04:31 PM Click Here to See the Profile for TKSend a Private Message to TKDirect Link to This Post
I bought the last set in the US unless someone is making them again. Try Moog. MOOG-K6357. I think that is the caster kit.

A note: Unless you are trying to get more caster, the standard 6+6 will almost always put the caster in spec. You probably don't *need* the 3+9 unless you just want it.

The GM part number for the 9+3 caster kit is 14048372. You need one set per side.You might want to call a dealer and have them do a nationwide search. Some dealer might have some sitting in their back room. Mine came from a dealer in Reno but that was a couple of years ago. A the time the GM system said "that's it folks".

Edit: Strange as it seems, I found a reference that the 77-82 Corvette uses that same kit. Someone might want to poke around and see if it's true. I know the Chevette uses that kit but the washers are much larger in diameter (not that they couldn't be cut down.) In fact that 14048372 kit came with the Fiero and Chevette washers.

Terry

[This message has been edited by TK (edited 01-25-2010).]

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FIEROFLYER
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Report this Post01-25-2010 05:30 PM Click Here to See the Profile for FIEROFLYERSend a Private Message to FIEROFLYERDirect Link to This Post
I would get a new bolt as well from the Fiero store as the old one is probably rotted and needing replacing any ways. I have one set I bought for mine and it came with a set of washers not sure of the thickness of them but can check. Dan
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Report this Post01-25-2010 06:42 PM Click Here to See the Profile for rogergarrisonSend a Private Message to rogergarrisonDirect Link to This Post
Corvettes Ive worked on all had drop in 'U' shims for caster and camber. You loosen the A arm mounting bolts and drop in whatever thickness of shims you need to get spec.

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Report this Post01-25-2010 07:15 PM Click Here to See the Profile for theogreClick Here to visit theogre's HomePageSend a Private Message to theogreDirect Link to This Post
Moog # K6357 is discontinued years ago but maybe some is NOS. Try independent auto part stores. Chairs stores maybe but not likely.

Find hard (SAE Grade 8 or Class 10.5 or harder) washer 1.5mm thick.
2 washer = 3mm, etc
The Moog part had 8 washers. As long as you use total 12mm, the bushing don't care.

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[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 01-25-2010).]

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doublec4
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Report this Post01-25-2010 08:24 PM Click Here to See the Profile for doublec4Send a Private Message to doublec4Direct Link to This Post
Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Dan, I will be purchasing the new bolts from the fierostore in the next couple of days. I just wanted the 3 and 9mm washers for the better stability at higher speeds, but if I can't find any, I may try going with high grade regular washers. We'll see what happens.

Chris

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Report this Post01-26-2010 11:05 AM Click Here to See the Profile for Lambo nutSend a Private Message to Lambo nutDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by doublec4:

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Dan, I will be purchasing the new bolts from the fierostore in the next couple of days. I just wanted the 3 and 9mm washers for the better stability at higher speeds, but if I can't find any, I may try going with high grade regular washers. We'll see what happens.

Chris



The new front upper control arm bolts from the Fiero store will come with all the washers you will need.

http://www.fierostore.com/P...large.aspx?eid=57016

Kevin

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theogre
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Report this Post01-26-2010 01:41 PM Click Here to See the Profile for theogreClick Here to visit theogre's HomePageSend a Private Message to theogreDirect Link to This Post
 
quote
Originally posted by Lambo nut:
http://www.fierostore.com/P...large.aspx?eid=57016


TFS kit is like Moog kit less Bushing.

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