Worse caster w/ Treehouse eyeballs CABs?

[thedeal]

I recently installed a set of Treehouse control arm bushings and it seems my caster has gotten worse. Before when exiting a turn I could loosen up my grip on the steering wheel and it would return right to center. Now if I try to do the same thing, the steering wheel will get almost back to center, but be 10-15 degrees short. This sounds like worse caster IMO. also the tires now are rubbing on the aft side of my IS lip, lame.

Has anyone else experienced this? Is this symptom a sign of improved caster? Is this normal?

Discuss, comment, flame whatever. Thanks for listening to me rant. :|

[beenjamin]

Fucking weird man...My cousin installed the same exact treehouse bushings today and all of your symptoms and his sound the same except his is maybe 20-25 degrees off-center...I'll let you know what he does since that is his DD and I'm sure you won't stand another second of this nonsense.

[thedeal]

Fucking weird man...My cousin installed the same exact treehouse bushings today and all of your symptoms and his sound the same except his is maybe 20-25 degrees off-center...I'll let you know what he does since that is his DD and I'm sure you won't stand another second of this nonsense.

thanks, Just not what I was expecting I guess. Otherwise they are fine.

[2002maniac]

Get an alignment. I bet your toe is off after the install.

[ak-]

Your toe is off.

edit: what maniac said.

[Wh33lhop]

Get an alignment. I bet your toe is off after the install.

No bets about it, this is the culprit.

[whodwho]

Not sure what you are running for a suspension but you might also check that your upper suspension isn't binding with the extra angle. I had stock spring dia springs and hats with IE camber plates and the spring hats started rubbing on the plates when I put a set on.

[Massive Lee]

Worst caster. I don't know what you mean with "worst". If the THR lollipop was to add caster (which it does), then the wheel would move slightly forward. By doing so, it also pulls/pushes on the steering rods. Meaning it changes toe. Which will alter the steering feel.

Time for an alignment my friend.

[thedeal]

I figured as much. I just didn't want pay for an alignment and find out shit is still whacked. thanks.

[Massive Lee]

Make your own alignment. It is easy and requires no costly tools. You probably already have a carpenter's measuring tape and two 24" sections of 2"x4" or aluminum square tubing. Basically simple measure the distance between wheels at the front of the wheels, then at the rear. If you aim a zero toe, then the measurements should be the same. Easy.

[325ix]

Make your own alignment. It is easy and requires no costly tools. You probably already have a carpenter's measuring tape and two 24" sections of 2"x4" or aluminum square tubing. Basically simple measure the distance between wheels at the front of the wheels, then at the rear. If you aim a zero toe, then the measurements should be the same. Easy.

Hmm... never heard of doing that. May have to try it sometime.

[mikeedler]

^^thats a bunch of crap that is probably going to throw your steering wheel off center-- yeah, then you can pull your steering wheel off and realign that -- and then have your rack that is off center now.-- just spend the money and do it correctly at an allignment shop.

( the way lee wrote will work great to get you to an alignment shop- but is def. not a good alignment-- esp. if you are concerned enough with your suspension to try to make it "better" with offset lollypops.)

[thedeal]

I knew an allingment would help and it did. What i was talking about though was the ease in which the wheel returns to center.. When finishing making a turn either LH or RH, and you let go of the wheel, in my experience it returns to center on its own. Now it will return to almost center. This makes me think that the caster is worse. As do these photos.

[Massive Lee]

^^thats a bunch of crap that is probably going to throw your steering wheel off center--

The "bunch of crap" sure works great for my 2002 racecar and my M3. Somebody who's "mechanically handicapped" should go to a specialist, but whoever knows what he does can achieve a great alignment with very few tools.

[McGyver]

I knew an allingment would help and it did. What i was talking about though was the ease in which the wheel returns to center.. When finishing making a turn either LH or RH, and you let go of the wheel, in my experience it returns to center on its own. Now it will return to almost center. This makes me think that the caster is worse. As do these photos.

although you're showing two different sides of your car, it does look like the wheels are moved forward. that would seem to mean worse caster in my mind.

no useful comment though, sorry and good luck!