[Healeys] BN2 Caster Angle

[Harold Manifold]

Bob,
 
I happened to have my early Healey 100 / 3000 Workshop Manual sitting by a
scanner.
 
Harold

  _____  

From: Healeys [mailto:healeys-bounces at autox.team.net] On Behalf Of Bob
Spidell
Sent: Monday, January 04, 2021 2:01 PM
To: Neil Anderson
Cc: Healeys
Subject: Re: [Healeys] BN2 Caster Angle


Nope. For once, I'm NOT confused. I've acquired an interest in chassis
geometry WRT to handling characteristics (and can't spend ALL my time
correcting people on the interwebs ;).  I know Healey geometry is usually
fixed; but my BN2 has Kilmartin adjustable camber plates, and I acquired a
set of shock plate inserts for my BJ8. I believe I can remove the ends of
the shock plates, remove the captive nuts and lengthen and widen the holes
enough to allow a couple degrees of camber adjustment and maybe a degree or
two of caster adjustment. I bought a 4-wheel alignment kit to do the
measuring.

My BN2 is surprisingly hard to turn, and only got more so when I installed a
smaller diameter steering wheel. It has 2-2.5deg pos. caster; I think
lessening that a little might decrease steering effort (which may be normal,
but I've only driven this one BN2). If it makes the car too 'squirrely' I
can fiddle with it until I get the handling I like.

Bob


On 1/4/2021 1:36 PM, Neil Anderson wrote:


Bob,  
I think you mean camber angle.  Caster is the forward/rearward angle
inclination of the swivel upright, which is permanently set on a Healey.
Camber is the top inward or outward angle tilt of the wheel when viewed
front front.

Not sure what the factory camber angle is, but what you stated is probably
close.  

Neil Anderson

On Mon, Jan 4, 2021, 2:28 PM Bob Spidell <bspidell at comcast.net> wrote:


Listers,

What's the recommended setting (my version of the shop manual doesn't 
specify one)? I think the BJ8 manual recommends 1-2deg pos.

Bob



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