Installing caster wedges

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DARREN LILLY
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Installing caster wedges

Post by DARREN LILLY »

Hi I have a set of 3* caster wedges for the front on a 79 chief to instal, will the original locating pin be long enough?
1979 chief 360 auto QT Australia
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Stuka
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Re: Installing caster wedges

Post by Stuka »

Doubtful, the stock pin is only like 1-2cm long.

Why do you need them? Did you install longer shackles or something? The degree shims will help get caster back, but handling will still not be great as the longer shackle will allow the axle to move side to side more.
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Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
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tgreese
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Re: Installing caster wedges

Post by tgreese »

The way I've installed these is to put the spring center bolt through the spring and the caster wedge. The wedges I used were made by a machinist-member on earlycj5.com, and they are made so the bolt goes through them, not the center pin. You want steel wedges, not aluminum. NAPA has replacement bolts, and you can get them on-line too.
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
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DARREN LILLY
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Re: Installing caster wedges

Post by DARREN LILLY »

steering wanders badly, no lift all original except for RHD. Steel wedges not available unless custom made, aluminium ones everywhere so if this works I'll get steel ones made up seen some US manufacturers advertise these . The wedge I have is about 6mm thick where the pin will be so would there be still enough bight left on the pin to do a test drive. Thanks for the replies
1979 chief 360 auto QT Australia

RamJetFSJ
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Re: Installing caster wedges

Post by RamJetFSJ »

After being down this same road, you most likely have something else going on, and the increased caster won't help. On mine it was overly stiff ball joints... Make sure everything else is right, because you really shouldn't need wedges with stock springs/shackles. Have you had an alignment check? Whats your current caster?
80 Wag in 73 attire, Ram Jet 350 power

Topic author
DARREN LILLY
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Re: Installing caster wedges

Post by DARREN LILLY »

Was also told something like -if it drives good in reverse at speed it needs more positive caster- probably got it mixed up but something like that, is this correct or close to it ?
1979 chief 360 auto QT Australia

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DARREN LILLY
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Re: Installing caster wedges

Post by DARREN LILLY »

Have heard that in most cases that the wedge will mask a underlying problem & the real cause should be addressed but thinking RHD might be it so just have to do trial & error. Had it checked for alignment & told all good dont know any of the figures though.
1979 chief 360 auto QT Australia
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tgreese
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Re: Installing caster wedges

Post by tgreese »

The alignment shop can give you a printout from the alignment machine. The Jeep should drive fine with factory springs and factory shackles, if all the rest of the steering and suspension parts are in good condition.

There is a difference between too little caster and a worn-out steering or suspension. Increasing the caster will make the steering come back to center by itself more forcefully, but it won't change the steering accuracy. If the steering is sloppy, the Jeep will choose its own path unless you correct it.

Lie under the Jeep and have a helper turn the steering back and forth slowly. Look for worn parts that allow movement, like the steering gear, ball joints, tie rod ends and spring bushings.
Tim Reese
Maine beekeeper's truck: '77 J10 LWB, 258/T15/D20/3.54 bone stock, low options (delete radio), PS/PDB, hubcaps.
Browless and proud: '82 J20 360/T18/NP208/3.73, Destination A/Ts, 7600 GVWR
Copper Polly: '75 CJ-6, 304/T15, PS, BFG KM2s, soft top
GTI without the badges: '95 VW Golf Sport 2000cc 2D
Dual Everything: '15 Chryco Jeep Cherokee KL Trailhawk, ECO Green
Blockchain the vote.
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Stuka
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Re: Installing caster wedges

Post by Stuka »

Yeah, get an alignment. With you being stock height it really sounds like worn parts someplace.
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PossumJr
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Re: Installing caster wedges

Post by PossumJr »

I'm with everyone else here, if your truck original, or at least older, parts down on the suspension and steering it's likely your issues lie in age/use related wear and tear. Ball joints and bushings don't last forever.
1979 J10, 360/QT
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Phils67
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Re: Installing caster wedges

Post by Phils67 »

DARREN LILLY wrote:steering wanders badly, no lift all original except for RHD. Steel wedges not available unless custom made, aluminium ones everywhere so if this works I'll get steel ones made up seen some US manufacturers advertise these . The wedge I have is about 6mm thick where the pin will be so would there be still enough bight left on the pin to do a test drive. Thanks for the replies
I bought my steel wedges from WFO concepts if I recall. Everything I have ordered from them so far was top notch. I removed a leaf when I installed them and reused my center bolts. The front packs on mine are 9 leaf so I figured removing one wouldn't hurt, which it didn't
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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