The caster is a critical parameter in car preparation, as it influences the vehicle's steering behavior. It is defined as the angle between the steering axis and the vertical plane of the wheel. A positive caster angle means the steering axis is tilted rearward, while a negative angle means it's tilted forward.
The caster angle affects the steering feel, with a positive angle providing more stability and a negative angle making the steering more sensitive. The ideal caster angle depends on the vehicle's design and the type of racing or driving it will be used for. A higher positive caster angle can improve stability at high speeds, but may make the steering feel heavier at low speeds.
In practice, adjusting the caster angle is typically done by modifying the suspension or steering components. This can involve changing the position of the steering axis or adjusting the length of the control arms. The goal is to find the optimal balance between stability, steering feel, and overall handling performance.
Key facts
- Affects steering feel
- Influences stability
- Measured in degrees
- Positive angle: more stability
- Negative angle: more sensitivity