Caster Question & alignment results

[TurboProp56]

After I did my lift, 2.5/2, I got the alignment done at a Firestone. They put everything in range except the passenger caster, they said the adjustment bolt was seized up. After reading somewhere that the camber and caster are adjusted with the same bolts, I ask; is that even true? And second, would a caster in a less than spec setting cause a pulling/drifting to the right? Cause I have that as well...
I put new tires on last week but have not gotten it aligned yet after that. What exactly adjusts the caster, and is it extremely important to get that in range?

 

[mrpurplepenguin]

After I did my lift, 2.5/2, I got the alignment done at a Firestone. They put everything in range except the passenger caster, they said the adjustment bolt was seized up. After reading somewhere that the camber and caster are adjusted with the same bolts, I ask; is that even true? And second, would a caster in a less than spec setting cause a pulling/drifting to the right? Cause I have that as well...
I put new tires on last week but have not gotten it aligned yet after that. What exactly adjusts the caster, and is it extremely important to get that in range?

Caster and camber are adjusted by rotating the eccentric bolts where the lower control arm is mounted to the frame. If you rotate both bolts the same direction the lower spindle mount moves inboard/outboard, tilting the wheel vertically (camber). If you rotate them in opposite directions the lower spindle mount moves forward/aft, changing the steering angle and thus the distance between the steering axis intersection with the ground and the center of the contact patch (caster).

Your alignment sheet agrees with what the tech said regarding seized adjusting bolts; your before and after camber/caster didn't change for that wheel, and those bolts seizing is not an uncommon problem with these trucks.

Re: pulling to the right... I'm not sure!
*A quick bit of internet digging suggests that it's typical for vehicles to pull towards the wheel with less caster. Now I know (and knowing is half the battle!).

I don't think uneven caster will cause any tire wear issues, but depending on how much it's pulling that could be annoying. You'll have to decide if the cost of replacement eccentric bolts and a realignment is worth it.

 

[TurboProp56]

Thanks for the explanation and confirmation, much appreciated!