Caster

[bowT3ch]

I've been reading advice on GMTNation for quite a while, but this is my first post. I appreciate all the advice. This site has saved me a ton of money and I really enjoy reading the posts.

So I replaced my steering rack on my 2003 TB EXT LT. It went really smooth. I got it aligned. Camber and Toe are within specs. Caster is slightly off and is maxed out according to shop.

When it went into the shop, Caster was 5 degrees (spec is 3.5 to 4.5 degrees). After adjustments, Caster is 2.9 degrees. Shop said they couldn't get it within specs that it's maxed out. What doesn't make any sense to me is, don't they have to go through the spec range of 3.5 to 4.5 in order to get it to the 2.9 degrees?

I don't know enough about Caster adjustment. thanks

 

[BlazingTrails]

Welcome to the Nation

 

[Mounce]

Sounds like they've never worked on a TB before. They're special animals.

Get a second opinion.

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Sure seems they missed the boat and need to try again. You got any special mods that may be causing issues?

 

[bowT3ch]

No special mods.

When I went to put the crossmember back on, the holes didn't line up on the same side that is out of caster spec. I was able to move the holes over about 1/2" to re-align with crossmember. That's the only issue I had. I realize the crossmember helps keep it aligned. I increased the jack height on that same side after the crossmember was removed to give me more room and I think it caused the holes to move.

 

[bowT3ch]

After thinking about it, I went back to my repair records and found receipts for alignments for the last 4 yrs. Not a single one was within caster specs. How the heck did I miss that? This alignment is the closest to being within specs. The alignments have been done by different shops. For whatever reason, that right side won't align quite right.

 

[Mounce]

You mentioned holes not lining up under certain conditions..is your frame tweaked or something?

 

[HARDTRAILZ]

Or is the crossmember damaged?

 

[bowT3ch]

I think the frame moved when I jacked it a bit higher. The crossmember is in great condition.