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To Those With Rocky Road Yj Conversions.

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by zila, Apr 26, 2019.

  1. Apr 28, 2019
    y2grey

    y2grey Member

    Fayetteville NY
    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2011
    Messages:
    106
    It's all about tha caster...once you get into custom suspensions (that's what a YJ swap is) you must deal with castor.
    Our RR-SOA WILLYS became a different animal once the caster was sorted out. One hand on the wheel at 65...
     
    Last edited: Apr 28, 2019
    47v6 likes this.
  2. Apr 28, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2003
    Messages:
    23,596
    Caster is important. Caster, not castor. It determines how much of the weight of the vehicle pushes the wheel toward straight ahead. More caster, more force pushing the wheels toward straight ahead. Choppers have huge positive caster, with long forks at an angle of 45 degrees or more, and are very very stable on the highway. Remember the scene in Easy Rider where they are goofing around, riding with no hands? The large caster angle makes the bike continue straight ahead. It also makes those bikes hard to manuever in parking lots and such. Your typical trials bike (motor or otherwise) has very little caster and is very "responsive" (ie manuverable).

    Castor is a star in the constellation Gemini, one of the twins Castor and Pollux. Castor is a Greek boy's name meaning "beaver" and is the genus name for the beavers. A caster is the pivoting wheel that is under the front of your shopping cart. Different. Pronounced different too. We're discussing the caster and camber angles when we refer to caster.

    Sorry if this seems like a rant.
     
  3. Apr 28, 2019
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2003
    Messages:
    1,201
    I watched a student engineer explain caster.. Didn't get it til he demonstrated using a rolling desk chair. Makes sense now.. I am making an appointment in SLC with "The Jeep Guy" who specializes in off road vehicle alignment.. Me? I have no clue.. He seems to know all about caster and problems it causes..
     
  4. May 2, 2019
    zila

    zila I throw poop

    Rock Springs,...
    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2003
    Messages:
    1,201
    Well mighta found the problem … I took the heap into my local alignment shop and chatted with em a bit about what was going on. They kept my Jeep and called today. He found the steering box was loose.. I have yet to pick it up as I was out of town all day. He said it drove great now.. We'll see tomorrow.

    I may have loosened these bolts when I installed my RR springs. Can't remember as I have slept since then.

    Edit : Drove it today. Much better. Still a hint of wander but very controllable now. Don't know how fast I was going cause now my speedo is FUBAR for the second time. Prolly hafta find another one.
     
    Last edited: May 3, 2019
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