Accurately measuring Caster at home

[Panthers65]

Is there any way to accurately measure caster at home? I've watched several videos and see most people use a digital angle finder which I have sitting on top of the upper machined ball joint, which I can do.

The issue I'm running into is the 12.5-ish degrees the balljoints lean towards the middle of the vehicle. To get an accurate caster reading, the angle finder has to be parallel to the frame/pointed straight back, which I really don't think is possible. Just a few degrees off in either direction causes my caster reading to vary by almost a full degree.

I had a thought to try and get a bracket that could pivot by the 12.5-ish degrees the balljoint leans towards the vehicle and use a magnet to attach that to the top of the balljoint, then the caster angle would be the same no matter what.

Does anyone have better/more successful ideas, or is there anything already developed that would make this easier?

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[j.o.y.ride]

There's many tools on the market for DIY

https://www.amazon.com/Longacre-52-78290-Caster-Camber-Gauge/dp/B001NN9G5S

 

[jay21mojave]

I'm curious as to why/what causes your concern with the CASTER on your rig? Looked at the Amazon link and a front end alignment is much less expensive (just an observation)

 

[Panthers65]

I'm curious as to why/what causes your concern with the CASTER on your rig? Looked at the Amazon link and a front end alignment is much less expensive (just an observation)

I have a 1.5” kit now, likely swapping In taller coils in the future. I have adjustable control arms and want to dial in my caster to do away with some of the wandering I am experiencing on the highway.

I would agree, to get set up properly with the Amazon links plus a set of turning plates I’d be in close to $500.

I will like end of paying an alignment shop to give me a readout and then find soMe reference points that I can measure moving forward.

 

[Scratch]

If you are happy with your caster now. Measure the angles you have and record them. Then once you add the new coils use your angle finder to get back to where you were.

 

[Renegade]

I have a 1.5” kit now, likely swapping In taller coils in the future. I have adjustable control arms and want to dial in my caster to do away with some of the wandering I am experiencing on the highway.

I would agree, to get set up properly with the Amazon links plus a set of turning plates I’d be in close to $500.

I will like end of paying an alignment shop to give me a readout and then find soMe reference points that I can measure moving forward.

My unscientific method of getting it close to stock is to add 1/8" of length to the lower control arms for every 1" of lift.

 

[Panthers65]

My unscientific method of getting it close to stock is to add 1/8" of length to the lower control arms for every 1" of lift.

Good starting point, I'll shoot for that and adjust after.

If you are happy with your caster now. Measure the angles you have and record them. Then once you add the new coils use your angle finder to get back to where you were.

Not very happy with the caster now. Factory is around 4*, after the 1.5" lift I put on I should be lower than that. with 37's, I think I need to be closer to 6*. I tried to measure factory, but those are off.

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