Castor angle

[Foxie]

Just now I'm setting up my recently fitted Spyder adjustable front upper wishbones. My castor with equal settings was way off, -0.28' lhs, + 0.04' rhs, i.e. one side negative, and the other about zero

My Autobooks Lotus Elan/Lotus Elan +2 manual Tech Data quotes the castor as "Early, 7 degs ; later 3 degs + 5 degs" (I think this typo should read 0.5 degs)

My original Lotus manual for the Plus 2, Section C, Front Suspension, P6, shows 3 degs + 30'

I'm shooting for 3 degs and I'm looking forward to see how it works out.

Has anyone any knowlege on why the change was made from from 7 to 3 degs ?

[prezoom]

The more caster, the harder it is to turn the steering wheel when stopped or a very low speeds, like parking. Perhaps there were complaints?

[nomad]

Also, the more castor the more the car wants to drive in a straight line....something that modern cars don't like to do at all!

Kurt

[prezoom]

There is also the saying, " Caster is faster". You can run less negative camber for increased speeds on the straights, and when turning into a corner, the caster will increase the negative camber.

[nomad]

There is also the saying, " Caster is faster". You can run less negative camber for increased speeds on the straights, and when turning into a corner, the caster will increase the negative camber.

That never occurred to me but makes sense!

Kurt