Castor Correction - What is it and how can castor be corrected?
Castor (Caster) Correction - What is it and how can castor be corrected? Many people are confused by castor and how it affects their vehicle when it gets a suspension lift. In this video I go through a number of ways it can be done on a live axle 3 linked 4wd vehicle. Such as the Defenders, some Toyota Land Cruisers, Nissan Patrols and a few other 4x4s.
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#castor #madmatt #mechanic
Пікірлер: 148
MadMatt, i really want to give You credit for really trying to explain the basic of how to build a functional undercarriage to a 4x4. Many will only try, and make experience of errors. I like You way of understanding the physical understanding of things. I'm learning a lot from Your knowledge, therefore I'm getting smarter! Thanks!😃👍
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Sir you humble me. Thanks you so much for saying that it really means a lot.
was about to buy bushes then decided to youtube first... might save up. thank you for the added confidence and clarity.
Nice work matt. We were just recently having this discussion ourselves re the engineering of various components of the steering/ suspension. Caster is important for steering stability and is usually set at around 3 degrees which is a nice balance between predictable and stable handling but without the steering becoming too heavy and cumbersome. For every inch of lift you lose roughly 1.5 degrees of caster angle so you can see that pretty soon once you start going above 2 inches you're going to get into negative caster. Negative caster is not great from a handling perspective unless you correct the caster as your steering becomes over reactive and too light. Quite tiring in fact when driving all but the smoothest roads. Also one of the other lesser known benefits of rolling the diff back to its original orientation is reducing the stress on the propeller shaft and pinion bearings which really don't like operating at steeper angles and are designed to work best when the flange faces are parallel. Incidentally caster can (and should) be corrected in leaf spring vehicles as well by simply adding wedges between the leaf spring and the axle tube. I reckon a lot of people don't think about this when lifting 4wds and probably should so thanks again for raising the subject especially in such a clear and concise manner.
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Hey Jade. Thanks for the comment and your're right most people don't correct leaf spring vehicles. You make some excellent points.
I have 2 inch lift on my 80, no castor correction. Long been thinking of getting it and now I will, because I like good steering. Thanks for the advice Matt!
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Right on
Thank you for all your knowledge Matt
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
My pleasure!
The all important caster correction. Fantastic video with easy to understand explanations!!
@MadMatt4WD
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks mate.
Excellent synopsis and explanation! Thank you for posting.
Another great informative video. I have put castor correction bushes into my radius arms, my 80 series has a 3" lift and I'm using mine mainly for touring.
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
And for touring they'll probably be ok. just keep an eye on the diff mount for cracks
Welcome to California Matt! I've been a fan of Matt's Off Road for years. Really enjoyed you as a guest there and wanted to ck your InfoChannel..
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Awesome! Thank you!
Well said! If you are going to change one part...be prepared to change a whole bunch of other ones!
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Yep
Matt I agree, the best solution is new arms that provide the needed caster and also provide adequate tie rod clearance.
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Yes mate. My 105 has the Superior Arms.
Another awesome vid Matt. Well informed. This is something a lot of people over look when doing a small lift. Keep up the good work 👍
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks so much
Great video Matt. You explained it in simple terms and gave us some good alternative solutions.
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
Great explanation and analogies👍🏽
Great vid Matt I have never seen any vids from Superior or Jmacx that explain castor correction this well. They might sell might some more radius arms now 😄
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks mate.
every method you mention affects pinion angle --- set pinion angle, then adjust castor by turning the knuckle on the axle housing...its really the only way to correctly set pinion & castor. requires welding & planning, but ultimately is worth the effort.
@MadMatt4WD
Жыл бұрын
I agree for big lifts or race cars but for a normal 4wd there’s other ways to mange it that are a lot easier and cheaper. The unis still last well with a 2-4” lift.
Thank Matt I've put a 2" lift in my 80 & ive notice it's not quite right, even after a wheel alignment. I was told it will be ok but I'm not convinced, so I was looking at the best way as I won't be doing any hard core flexing but still want functionality when I do go wheeling cheers
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Glad to help
Thanks Matt great information for someone learning about this. 👍
@MadMatt4WD
3 жыл бұрын
Glad I could help
Awesome Analysis
@MadMatt4WD
7 ай бұрын
Thanks!
New arms are best but if you a pleb like me you got to make a plan. I really like the washer trick.
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Yep
Thanks for this very intuative explanation.
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Pleasure
I built rallycars and we set up the live axles on rose joints , u could use heavy duty rod ends and they have threaded adjustments and they move left and right and no axle wind up that u get with rubber bushings
@MadMatt4WD
3 жыл бұрын
Interesting.
Very informative! Thanks!
@MadMatt4WD
10 ай бұрын
Glad it was helpful!
Great explanation! Thanks very much Matt.
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Pleasure
Hi Matt, love your channel. It would be great if you could do the occasional Q&A video with your mechanical background and love of 4wds. I would have a few questions about my 1979 Hilux.
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Hey Chris, I have done the occasional live Q&A on different things. Usually on my FB page. If you're based in Australia shoot me an email with your mobile and I'll give you a call and see what I can do to help you. madmatt@madmatt4wd.com.au
Matt very useful sir, thank you
@MadMatt4WD
3 жыл бұрын
You are welcome
Hi Matt how things I did the bush ones my 80 drive very nice I like the video spot on
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Great 👍
Loving your videos mate! I went the castor bush route but if money wasn't an issue, then I'd have some superior arms in mine for sure.
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Cool. Just keep an eye on the diff mounts for cracking.
@rob45x
4 жыл бұрын
@@MadMatt4WD yeah will do. Its not an extreme offroader. Mainly a daily, some caravan work and occasional offroad.
Thanks. I would feel more comfortable with cracked radius arms.
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Ok why's that? I'm not keen on parts of my vehicle failing when I'm driving.
@drivingparadox
4 жыл бұрын
MadMatt 4WD oops, meant cranked radius arms 😇
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
😂😂😂 LOl i can usually read though typos but you. had me completely baffled. Yes arms are the best solution.
Castor plates can do the same bending of the Tie Rod also. I have them in my 80 , and they touch on full flex. But not enough to do alot of damage. Still my preferred method of castor correction though 👍
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Yes I agree. It's not a bad method.
Excellent video and very informative. Personally, I preferer to go with a bearing kit to correct the castor on lifts up to about 2 or 3 inches, after that I cut-out the welds holding the steering knuckle to the diff housing, then rotate the knuckle back to the desired castor, before rewelding them back in place. It's inexpensive, and eliminates any problems with the diff being out of factory alignment, like torn mounts, bent tie rods, or constantly flogged out uni joints...
@MadMatt4WD
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks. That’s a very good way to do it although way out of most people’s capacity.
Great info 👍👍👍
@MadMatt4WD
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks mate
good vid, be good to have a follow up one on ifs vehicles
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
We'll see how we go
thanks for education.
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
My pleasure
Lovely boss
@MadMatt4WD
Жыл бұрын
Thanks mate
@basharathussain5565
Жыл бұрын
I want to up lift my land cruiser 80 series 1997 vx 1hdft at home ,but I'm a bit confused for a 2 inch lift with iron men kit is it important to correct caster and what is the function of adjustable Panhard road why not the stock one?need your guidance sir
@MadMatt4WD
Жыл бұрын
@@basharathussain5565 hey mate for only 2” lift you don’t need to do castor correction unless you find the steering goes to vague after you’ve fitted the suspension. Generally they’re fine at 2” but from there up they don’t work as well and need correction. The panard will be fine. It’s job is to bring the diff back to centre because when you lift the truck the diff swings on the panard to the side and this is no good.
@basharathussain5565
Жыл бұрын
@@MadMatt4WD thanks I will try it by myself and will let you know.
Love the vid man ... Do I need to castor a 2" lift...besides the highway will it affect off road driving ?
@MadMatt4WD
Жыл бұрын
It depends but often you need to
Hi mates I need u r suggestion regarding outlander non adjustable casters. A wheel alignment place in the process of fixing crook steering wheel I think they messed up casters. Which made rider hard and bumpy, and I changed the suspension but steering is chambering left and right and and steering return is aggressive even after doing wheel alignment 8 times. Can you please give me u r suggestion. Thanks mate
@MadMatt4WD
10 күн бұрын
It’s impossible to help unless I had the vehicle to work with. Try some different specialist mechanics.
Hi Matt. Enjoying the videos here in America. Do you have any videos comparing different types of locker/LSD systems? Or on making do with open diffs and where/how that's alright? Didn't find any but YT doesn't often give the most relevant results, thought I'd check. Would love to hear your thoughts if you have any. Keep up the good work.
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Hey, No I don't but I should do one I think. This is a friend of mine who touches on the subject. kzread.info/dash/bejne/Y6KNvNFmXZq-mJc.html
@jcarry5214
4 жыл бұрын
@@MadMatt4WD Thanks! Of course there are plenty of opinions out there already but they almost always merge on "ARB, front and rear, every time or stay home". You're more interested in educating and weighing all pros and cons which is why I think you should do something. Lately I'm wondering if what we call "posi" over here, the classic clutch-based limited slip, is a viable alternative at all to selectable lockers. I've had a couple cars with it that were fantastic in snow and mud but wonder how far off pavement that goes. Just an example. Thanks again!
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the vote of confidence. A limo is limited. (ya see what i did there) :) Personally a selectable locker is the best I know off and a limo is not even close to comparing. I'll put this video on the list.
What about correcting the caster angle with relation to the new pinion angle when you lift your truck? Or what's the solution there? Double cardan?
@MadMatt4WD
2 жыл бұрын
Yes a carden if it’s needed. Depends how big your going. Most lifts don’t need it.
What about the Fortuner rear. I can feel a slight shift . Tried bushes but a new radius arm seems likely
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Couldn't comment. But certainly check the bushes.
BTW, love your videos and am sorry about your brother. I'll be sure to meet him someday beyond the veil (you can introduce me, we'll have time...)
@MadMatt4WD
2 жыл бұрын
Mate love the heart. The three of us can go wheeling ay.
What are the bearings called that will give you a little offset caster ?
@MadMatt4WD
2 жыл бұрын
I’m actually not sure of the proper name but talk to your bearing supplier.
Great video. If I purchased the castor correct radius will I need castor correction bushing. I think not but asking anyway for a second opinion.
@MadMatt4WD
3 жыл бұрын
If you buy the arms you don't need the bushes.
@gggrichard1
3 жыл бұрын
Awesome. Thanks for taking a minute out of your time and responding.
Extraordinary video!!! Very informative, but I have one question. What is the factory or correct degrees of an 80 series castor, so I know how much I should drop the control arm with a drop box? I am planing to install 5” suspension so I can put some 37.
@MadMatt4WD
3 жыл бұрын
Thanks. I don’t know the numbers for drop boxes as thats not my preferred way to gain castor. For that lift I do suggest you look at replacing the arms.
@attadauhajre4194
3 жыл бұрын
@@MadMatt4WD thanks for your suggestion. Keep doing great videos like this!!
I have a 1998 wrx and having problems with the car veering the left and right when driving straight. Also feels like the car is on roller skates and all over the road. Ive had front lower control arms done, front struts, 3 wheel alignments and balance and still hasnt fixed the problem. Ive now been told that the left castor may be bent and because subaru castors cannot be adjusted and replacing it is so expensive so the mechanic has suggested castor correction mounts. Do you think this will fix the issue of the car terrible tracking or could there be another issue at play here. Also veering hard right when braking as well...thanks
@MadMatt4WD
2 жыл бұрын
Hey. I'm not at all familiar with the WRX setup but to answer your question all the settings need to be correct for the car to drive right.
Matt, I have an OME 2inch(ish) lift on my 78 prado cruiser. Steering is at least ok, but body roll is bad. Does castor correction have any part in side-to-side body roll? I have toyota oem bushings, 'cause I've heard repeatedly that they correction bushings do not last, and I work my suspension hard here in Uganda. On the other hand, I thought the castor plates were for higher lifts, in the 4+ range? I'd rather not do the washer fix, because that locks me in to this ride height and you have to guess right the first time, unless you break out the welder all over again. Advice?
@MadMatt4WD
2 жыл бұрын
Caster is more about steering feel. Look at your sway bar setup for sway control. Also are your spring rates right for the weight? If the springs are to soft they can’t carry the load.
Help please,does the four link suspension set up can be caster corrected?
@MadMatt4WD
3 жыл бұрын
Yes a 4 link can be.
Mate caster is the last of your problems there. The biggest problem is someone stole the whole top of your car. In a patrol you can also use a spacer at the chassis end to push the arm forward without dropping it down.
@MadMatt4WD
2 жыл бұрын
Lol. Is that whats wrong. Yes the patrols are different with the pin end.
hey matt, I've just put some hyperflex arms on my car that have been set for 2-3 inch. will I have much trouble going up to a 4 inch ?
@MadMatt4WD
3 жыл бұрын
You may get away with it. Have a go and see.
Hey mate so if I do the washer mod, how do I spot it bending the tie rod ? Cheers
@MadMatt4WD
3 жыл бұрын
It won't bend Because the tie rod is a ball joint and has enough scope to deal with what your doing.
Now I know way they call him mad matt lol weld on washers weld up old holes thort I was the only one that did that
@MadMatt4WD
3 жыл бұрын
We’re like brothers I think.
Hey Matt my 05 105 Landcruiser wagon has a 3inch lift it hasn't got the return to center damptner only an TJM xgs gold damptner and I'm running the the GXL 8 inch STEEL rims and it drives like a 100 series with s 2inch lift would i need castor corrections or not so far I've had no issues what's your thoughts
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
You're steering damper won't really be dealing with incorrect castor which you will have if nothings been done to correct it. I would suggest if i drove your vehicle i would find the steering vague and the cornering unpredictable. You have probably got used to it being wrong and until you drive one that's correct you won't notice it.
@kevinsummersford4112
4 жыл бұрын
Cheers Matt I'll see if I get anything when I next drive the car🙂
Dear Mad Matt, my LC76 has a pulling towards right, I adjusted the arm and the alignment reading for caster is 4 left and 3.9 right. Still its pulling right, I am really dissatisfied and to keep always a pressure for steadiness. Any possible way to fix this issue
@MadMatt4WD
2 жыл бұрын
Your castor is more about the sensitivity of the steering rather than the pulling to left or right. So check your toe in and toe out and check the Camber of the wheels. Also make sure the tyre pressures are correct. also make sure none of the brakes or wheel bearings are dragging.
@shanumavilayil2398
2 жыл бұрын
@@MadMatt4WD Thanks 👍
Hi Matt, great vid. Castor or caster? Here in the US it's caster. Not sure if it is one of those Oz things.
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Thanks mate. Caster is one of those American things LOL. We actually used both versions in the description so SEO would pick up either spelling. See we look after you Americans. LOL
@johnfitzgerald5158
4 жыл бұрын
@@MadMatt4WD haha. I like how you turned that one around. I guess the Queen's English was first...lol.
No care for castor, just wanna see that turbo 1fz go up a mud hill 💦💦 Run drop boxes here. 3inch lift. Drives mint.
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Drop boxes work for sure.
@danbusey
4 жыл бұрын
Until they hang up on a nasty rock. ☺
@Mosesk1988
4 жыл бұрын
@@danbusey never had a problem tbh, even 200series and 79s mounts hand low asfuck stock
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Yes Dan as I say in the video the main reason I would't run them. I have enough trouble with the front mounts on the rear arms.
What about independent suspension....
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Completely different set up although the Castor principle is the same.
@adrianlarge2178
4 жыл бұрын
Yeah is it as simple as changing the upper control arm???
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
I couldn't comment. It can be achieved many different ways for different vehicles. Go to a quality 4wd shop.
@adrianlarge2178
4 жыл бұрын
@@MadMatt4WD no worries mate keep up the good work
Greetings matt, which lift is suitable for a bundy, 2 inch or 3 inch?
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
I have 2” body 1” suspension. You don’t want to go too high or they’re too tippy
@alexsteel8167
4 жыл бұрын
@@MadMatt4WD could a 33 inch tyre fit without any issues? Greetings from Malaysia
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
I run 33" with no worries.
If you don't have balanced caster, the vehicle will pull to the side with more.
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
I'm not sure why you wouldn't have balanced castor.
@duggydo
4 жыл бұрын
@@MadMatt4WD It happens more in independent suspension vehicles, but can in solid axle rigs like you have if they get roughed up on the trail or they modify the suspension. People especially need to realize the importance of making sure they balance the castor if they start modifying it like you talked about. If it's not balanced (more on one side than the other) it will pull. Sometimes severely.
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Ok yes I see what you mean. I would think something would have to be twisted for a live axle vehicle to be unbalanced. Tanks for clarifying.
Comment below with your thoughts on correcting castor. Another video you maybe interested in is Polyurethane vs Rubber Bushes kzread.info/dash/bejne/ammu2dGpd5yrZqg.html were I talk about these 2 common solutions for our 4x4s, but each are horses for courses.
First
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Winner winner chicken dinner LOL
Thanks for the video but PLEASE stop calling it the covid 80. Im so sick of hearing that word.
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Sorry mate I'm Australian and if something ticks us off we make fun of it and this is my way of giving Covid the finger.
@davouchi1
4 жыл бұрын
@@MadMatt4WD 🤣 i get that , im an aussie too.
@MadMatt4WD
4 жыл бұрын
Nice. Sorry it's annoying you but it will be staying but I hope you can see why I'm calling it that now. Covid has cost me a huge amount of money so it's not in my good books.
Hi! Does this apply to the rear axle too?
@MadMatt4WD
10 ай бұрын
Not generally
@alakran4x4overland
9 ай бұрын
@@MadMatt4WD Thanks a million man, I'm planning to raise 2 cm more my jimny JB43, now has a Raptor +6 and special radius arms so probably will take two more cm with no hassle. What's your opinion about it. Thank you for your videos, they really help a lot. 👍
@MadMatt4WD
9 ай бұрын
@@alakran4x4overland I can't really comment as I've not done that conversion. You'll have to figure it out as you go along.
@alakran4x4overland
9 ай бұрын
@@MadMatt4WD OK I will tackle that job soon, and I'll let you know how it went 👍