Steering too stiff? Alignment off?
01-23-2007, 06:28 PM
#11
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
I read this in an article on alignment
This is what makes me think the caster might be out of spec:
The caster angle -- the reason we have an offset angle between upper and lower spindle points -- exists to allow optimum steering and handling for a given vehicle. A positive caster angle is used to allow predictable steering of the vehicle. If the caster was zero with the upper ball joint exactly above the lower ball joint, steering would be erratic, the vehicle would be very hard to control and the front wheels would wander all over the road. By creating a backward "lean" (a positive caster angle), the vertical travel of the front wheels is "dampened." The more positive the caster angle, the more controllable the vehicle is at higher speeds. As caster is lessened (closer to zero), the vehicle's front wheels will react faster to steering input, but highway stability will be decreased.
The caster angle -- the reason we have an offset angle between upper and lower spindle points -- exists to allow optimum steering and handling for a given vehicle. A positive caster angle is used to allow predictable steering of the vehicle. If the caster was zero with the upper ball joint exactly above the lower ball joint, steering would be erratic, the vehicle would be very hard to control and the front wheels would wander all over the road. By creating a backward "lean" (a positive caster angle), the vertical travel of the front wheels is "dampened." The more positive the caster angle, the more controllable the vehicle is at higher speeds. As caster is lessened (closer to zero), the vehicle's front wheels will react faster to steering input, but highway stability will be decreased.
01-23-2007, 07:12 PM
#13
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Zero toe?
Get your alignment printout.
Zero toe is usually reserved for track cars. It leads to wandering and bad straight line stability.
Sounds like an alignment issue.
Zero toe is usually reserved for track cars. It leads to wandering and bad straight line stability.
Sounds like an alignment issue.
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