caster adjustment

King Luis · 01-06-2006, 01:50 PM

is there a way to adjust the caster on a e30? besides getting camber/caster plates. or just adjust the position of the front wheels further back?

stock suspension with THR Eyeball arms.

Axxe · 01-06-2006, 02:33 PM

No.

highstrung · 01-06-2006, 02:49 PM

not without using the upper plates. i have had some caster changes and a little camber (not much) with installing the lower m3 e30 offset front control arm bushings. those bushings will somewhat help, but if you have severe caster changes, then there is something bent forsure in the front suspension.

dave

**NickP** · 01-06-2006, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highstrung

not without using the upper plates. i have had some caster changes and a little camber (not much) with installing the lower m3 e30 offset front control arm bushings. those bushings will somewhat help, but if you have severe caster changes, then there is something bent forsure in the front suspension.

dave

I don't think that there's anything bent or broken - its just his THR eyeball arms affecting the caster like they're designed to do.

King Luis · 01-06-2006, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickP

I don't think that there's anything bent or broken - its just his THR eyeball arms affecting the caster like they're designed to do.

there is nothing bent or broken, i do have seized tierods but that is a different issue. could it be that i put the cabs in backwards or upside down or something?
i know they adjust the caster but it can't be possible for the eyeball arms to move the wheels forward that much can it?
this issue is pissing me off.

Jordan · 01-06-2006, 07:00 PM

Um.. that looks pretty normal to me.

I don't think you understand the function of caster, as granted by the THR eyeball arms or caster/camber plates.

Adjusting the caster at the top of the strut mount will do nothing to effect the overall position of the wheel in the well.

If you want it "pushed back" more then lower your car. Its a damn 4x4.

Lowering it will bring it back because of the caster angle on the strut housing.

The THR eyeball arms only mount one way, there is no way you have them on incorrectly.

The THR eyeball arms give even more forward caster then the OEM M3 offset bushing. If it bothers you that much either lower the car or put the stock bushings back on.

**NickP** · 01-06-2006, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Luis

there is nothing bent or broken, i do have seized tierods but that is a different issue. could it be that i put the cabs in backwards or upside down or something?
i know they adjust the caster but it can't be possible for the eyeball arms to move the wheels forward that much can it?
this issue is pissing me off.

Its perfectly normal; especially for your ride height. I wouldn't worry too much about it; it'll also move back towards "normal" once you lower it some.

Jordan · 01-06-2006, 08:23 PM

Way to read my post and make footnotes...

King Luis · 01-06-2006, 08:24 PM

the only problem is that i got winter tires now that won't fit without major rubbing. i'm going with GC coilovers and koni's as soon as the weather gets better. i would really like to clean up my weaves while i got my winters and bottle caps on. bah..i'll go tomorrow to see if there is something i could do or if there is something else wrong.
just another problem to deal with.
btw, anyone got links to oem and oem m3 offset bushings so i can compare sizes and prices.
thanks for the help.

e30_kid89 · 01-06-2006, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordan

Way to read my post and make footnotes...

loool

oldskool3 · 01-07-2006, 11:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jordan

If it bothers you that much either lower the car or put the stock bushings back on.

Why not take Jordan's advice and throw the stock bushings back on till winter is over. This way you can run your winters without any problem and reinstal the THR's in the spring when you can install your gc's.

**NickP** · 01-07-2006, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by King Luis

the only problem is that i got winter tires now that won't fit without major rubbing. i'm going with GC coilovers and koni's as soon as the weather gets better. i would really like to clean up my weaves while i got my winters and bottle caps on. bah..i'll go tomorrow to see if there is something i could do or if there is something else wrong.
just another problem to deal with.
btw, anyone got links to oem and oem m3 offset bushings so i can compare sizes and prices.
thanks for the help.

I think these guys are one of the cheapest for OEM / Lemforder:
http://www.fcpgroton.com/bmw-e30_suspension.htm

The m3's are 89 US and stock are 25 US. I've ordered them a bunch of times for Volvo parts and it always worked out well.

King Luis · 01-07-2006, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NickP

I think these guys are one of the cheapest for OEM / Lemforder:
http://www.fcpgroton.com/bmw-e30_suspension.htm

The m3's are 89 US and stock are 25 US. I've ordered them a bunch of times for Volvo parts and it always worked out well.

cool. thanks for the link. i'll probably buy that stuff if nothing gets resolved next week when i go to the mechanic.

Jordan · 01-07-2006, 01:22 PM

There is nothing to resolve, I don't think you understand....

**Mystikal** · 01-08-2006, 02:05 PM

Charlie quoted me something like $40 for stock bushings and $120 for eccentric, for the pairs. Just let him do it.