The Ford Barn

wellcraft17 · 12-16-2017, 03:22 PM

I’ve got a bone stock 56 F100 and was wondering what the general consensus would be about setting the caster. I currently have no shim on the drivers side and a shim on the pax side that’s placed on the forward side of the axle. Was thinking about placing two 4 degree shims on the back side of the axle to see if it would improve driving. Currently it drives ok but possibly looking for improvements. Anyone have any opinions on this.

Sid · 12-16-2017, 03:32 PM

With a stock front axle I think the shim should go in the front of axle. I personally prefer about 5 deg positive caster on the early ford front axles. It takes the wondering tendency out of them. It's not unusual to have different size shims from one side to the other. I would recommend taking it to a good spring shop or a shop that is familiar with truck straight axles. Most of your cut rate tire shops doing alignment have no clue on straight axles. I have a 49 F-1 stock axle with old American mags set at 5 1/2 deg positive and drives like a dream.

wellcraft17 · 12-16-2017, 08:25 PM

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Thanks for the reply, I’ll probably take it to a local shop that been around for about 80 yrs and only work on all sorts of trucks, straight axle is there specialty.

12-16-2017, 03:22 PM	#1
wellcraft17 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Tampa fl Posts: 134	56 F100 caster setting I’ve got a bone stock 56 F100 and was wondering what the general consensus would be about setting the caster. I currently have no shim on the drivers side and a shim on the pax side that’s placed on the forward side of the axle. Was thinking about placing two 4 degree shims on the back side of the axle to see if it would improve driving. Currently it drives ok but possibly looking for improvements. Anyone have any opinions on this.

12-16-2017, 03:32 PM	#2
Sid Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rathdrum Idaho Posts: 737	Re: 56 F100 caster setting With a stock front axle I think the shim should go in the front of axle. I personally prefer about 5 deg positive caster on the early ford front axles. It takes the wondering tendency out of them. It's not unusual to have different size shims from one side to the other. I would recommend taking it to a good spring shop or a shop that is familiar with truck straight axles. Most of your cut rate tire shops doing alignment have no clue on straight axles. I have a 49 F-1 stock axle with old American mags set at 5 1/2 deg positive and drives like a dream. Last edited by Sid; 12-16-2017 at 04:00 PM.

12-16-2017, 08:25 PM	#3
wellcraft17 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Tampa fl Posts: 134	Re: 56 F100 caster setting Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Thanks for the reply, I’ll probably take it to a local shop that been around for about 80 yrs and only work on all sorts of trucks, straight axle is there specialty.