SOA and degree shims

[Glenn_tx]

I welded my perches parallel with the old perches and would like better return to center steering. The shop down the road has 3 degree and 6 degree shims, anyone have any experience in this area?

[River Beast]

3 degrees would be max before you run into other troubles.....

[Glenn_tx]

Thanks. By other troubles do you mean pinion angle?

[dnixon]

I have 4 deg shims inthe rear and 2 deg shims in the front.. but my front shim is with the fat side back increasing my pinion angle and HOPEFULLY giving me back some caster after the perches were welded on with the pinion pointed at the T/C...

[River Beast]

Originally posted by GlennTX:
Thanks. By other troubles do you mean pinion angle?when you degree your front axle too much... you can alter the actual steering to the point it wont repsond the correct way since the caster is too far off.... that is the best way I can explain it....

the best way to correct any steering issues is to cut off the knuckles and rotate them after you set your pinion angle.... but I have not gone that route cuz I don't need to....

[Glenn_tx]

Slowag, I like your hatemail collection. Pretty funny.

[talntar]

Originally posted by GlennTX:
Slowag, I like your hatemail collection. Pretty funny.i was once arrested for threats of that kind.i would be carefull what i say.remember all this is on file someplace.other then that it was pretty darn funny.

[The Anti-Chrysler]

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quote:
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Originally posted by GlennTX:
Slowag, I like your hatemail collection. Pretty funny.
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i was once arrested for threats of that kind.i would be carefull what i say.remember all this is on file someplace.other then that it was pretty darn funny.
How did I miss that one??? Jeez... :eek: :eek:

[Damage, Inc.]

I measured the angle at the front of the axle (on the flat part where the spreader holes are) then when I welded the SOA perches on, I set the axle to this same exact angle. Worked well...course I haven't driven it yet. :D

[Glenn_tx]

Well, I put on the 6 degree shims. If I don't get the desired results I'll go down to 3 degrees.

It drove alright before, just seemed to want to go left or right not straight most of the time. I'll report back.

[Stolen76]

If you do a lot of highway driving you may end up going with a split in the shims. The roads are pitched to the curbside 3 degrees for run off. I haven't done any little trucks, but on the big trucks it's pretty common to set your curbside caster up 1.5 - 2.5 degrees to keep it going straight down the road. Degree shims are available from .5 to 6 and everything in between.

[Glenn_tx]

6 degrees worked pretty well. I haven't driven it too much yet but it does seem to track better. Haven't noticed any ill effects except the steering shaft needed to be bent slightly to clear the spring.