Front Right Caster Problem

[FIGHTERCAR]

I'm looking for suggestions as to why my front right caster cannot be adjusted any greater than 7.2 degrees.

I just got back from an alignment at the dealer. I didn't want them to tear into it ($$$$) without getting some suggestions from Prime of some simple things to check myself first.

I told them to just try to get both sides the same. So, the left caster is now 7.4 degrees and right is 7.2 according to the print out attached to the bill.

The car tracks straight and seems to turn in with the same feel in both directions. Strong application of brakes does not produce any pulling to one side or the other. Bumps don't seem to displace the steering wheel either.

Toe is -0.13 degrees left and -0.15 right.
Camber is -0.2 degrees on both sides.

Your advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[goldNSX]

What is the max possible caster on the left? Has your car been in a crash?

 

[Larry Bastanza]

If the car tracks straight, enjoy it and forget about .2 degrees difference, See it all the time.

HTH,
LarryB

 

[FIGHTERCAR]

Thanks Larry. It's good to know that you have experienced this. Thanks for your quick response! I'm relieved. I was concerned that I could get 8.9 degrees caster on the left side but not on the right.

I actually had the dealer do an alignment, drive the car, and then put it on the alignment rack again to check to see if any settings had changed possibly due to the rubber bushings settling.

The second time on the rack they did tweek the front toe a little.

I am very pleased how the car drives.

The car has never been in an accident and just turned over 85,000 mi. What an awesome little car.

 

[theman1990]

Try another shop. The dealer (Gunn Acura, San Antonio, TX) JACKED my alignment all up, the tried to convince me to buy another front control arm, claiming mine was bent. Turned out they had no clue what they were doing, and an independent shop fixed it up nice.

 

[LJSB]

FYI
The caster adjustment on these cars tend to corrode and lock up, sometimes making it impossible to adjust.
It can be a labor intensive job to get them loosened up and even more expensive if the part has to be replaced.
Since the car drives fine, leave it be.

 

[FIGHTERCAR]

Can you specify which parts corrode and lock up? Where do I look.

I'm not going to mess with it right now because I like how the car drives but I would like to know what parts could be frozen.

Thanks!

 

[LJSB]

Look in the service manual on this site, in the suspension section.
It will show you where the caster cam is on the compliance pivot. Page 18-9. That cam can be frozen in place.
You could keep soaking it with PB Blaster and hoping it will break free but sometimes they won't break loose.
The part lists for only $917.43.

 

[FIGHTERCAR]

I'll check it out.

Thank you so much for the tip!