Caster issues?

[arcdef]

Hi all,

 

I recently replaced all the front arms with Moog parts on my 2004 350z and ever since I've noticed that the steering won't return to centre.

 

From the research I've done it seems there isn't a way to adjust caster so not sure how I am meant to rectify this?

 

Car drives straight and turn in feels good it just disconcerting that it isn't returning to centre and wasn't doing it before. 

 

Thanks,

Ash

 

 

 

 

[arcdef]

I should add, the car is on stock suspension and wheels.

[ZMANALEX]

I doubt it it is a castor issue, unless the fitter messed up

You do not say exactly what arms you replaced.

Did you get a full geo. done after fitment?

If so, post up the print out.

I would be looking at an issue with the new parts or a fitment issue.

Check tyre pressures.

[Azurez33]

Literally everything Alex said, thing is aswell that you’ve probably replaced items along the way such as tyres and possibly other suspension parts and things have slowly started to set in and rest causing the tracking to go out unnoticed, now youve replaced the suspension arms etc everything’s the way it should be and it’s knocked the tracking out largely because there wasn’t the tolerance it was before due to old parts 

[Azurez33]

Unless you’ve replaced the top mounts aswell with adjustable caster mounts, I don’t see there being any way you could drastically adjust the caster that much the self centering  would be gone. 

[arcdef]

All the front arms were changed, the strut was removed but put back in as is. Can the front toe angle impact the self steering? Thanks

[Azurez33]

No chap only the positive castor, don’t even think it’s possible to put the shocks in wrong way either

[Azurez33]

Of your toe is excessively out, it’ll feel like harsh grabbing and is incredibly noticeable, however if the toe in fairly out it’ll start wearing either edge dependant on where the trackings out,

[G1en]

I have done a fair amount of geo setup on the zed. The factory caster is around 8deg, which is way over “most road cars” that run around 4. With my eibach adjustable camber arms (top arms) they allow for changing the caster by around 1 deg each way, i have had to reduce mine slightly to get back in spec. I struggle to think how changing top arms for others designed for a 350z can take 8deg off. I havent seen the moog ones but they will prob be handed. Are you sure they are on the correct side?

the other thing to check is toe, if you have a fair amount of toe out, it will make the car wonder off line (but does help turn in/cornering ) like you have experienced. I have never run toe out on rear so unsure if that would effect self centring even if front is ok. You really need to get a full geo/alignment done and see what the numbers are before second guessing. 

[J_R]

Hi All

My 2006 350Z hasn't been handling well so I got a 4-wheel alignment done on a Hunter machine. The Toe and Camber are now spot on but the Caster is off on both sides (L = +8 deg 58', R = + 9 deg 14'). I gather the recommended range for normal road use is + 7 deg 42' and 8 deg 92'. So not only have I got too much Caster but the 0.5 deg left/right split has been exceeded. I'm not sure what to do about it. The car's got Superpro bushes on the upper and lower control arms so unlikely they're worn out. I kerbed the car on the nearside but have never kerbed it on the offside so unlikely I've somehow caused about 9 degrees of damage to both sides! What sort of garage should I take it to? I tried a body shop but they said it's not what they do and the main stealer wants £160 ph + VAT just to investigate. Am in the Farnborough area. Ta

[G1en]

Its not that far out to be fair. but you can only adjust caster with adjustable top arms as far as i know, you just need to reduce the right side by 0.5-0.75 deg and it will be near as, which you will be able to do with adjustable camber arms that also have caster adjustment. If your on stock upper arms your stuck with what you have.

[ShortPaul]

Has the car been lowered