Installing Caster Blocks
 

Ok... So I have the front bushings on my a arms. I am ready to install the a arms on the car this afternoon. Reading Clark's Garage I understand to put the caster blocks on loosely and bolt them to the car body first. Looks like it is best to have weight on the suspension for the final torque on the a arm to cross member bolts. Clarks lists torque specs for these as well as the ball joint bolt and the caster block to body bolts. What I don't see is how tight to make the nut on the caster block to eccentric through bolt? Is it supposed to spin freely or be tight so that the rubber is twisting? I am using Elephant Racing 968 style caster blocks. Lastly, I never loosened the eccentric on the adjustment side. Just for purposes of getting the car back on the road can I assume that the caster adjustment has not changed? I don't see a need to loosen the eccentric on the adjustment (front) side for any installation purposes.

Thanks everybody, Andy.

Sorry I can't be more specific help... but if you work on the suspension, you probably need an alignment to make sure everything is set up (the way you want or) properly. I would tighten everything up to the required specs, and then take it to an alignment shop to make sure.

Maybe elephant racing can answer your question about the new part you installed.

No one knows how tight to tighten the caster block nut??

So... I got everything back together this weekend! Laying on my back, in the gravel, in the rain!!

I really wanted to make that autocross. Everything went well and the car handled ok for no front end alignment. I ended up fourth in my class which isn't too bad considering I finished the work the day before and I hadn't driven the car for months. It's off to the alignment shop in town tomorrow so hopefully that will go okay.

Manual steering was definitely harder when rolling around the parking lot. Didn't really notice it while autocrossing but I am usually pretty focused during my runs. I could tell a difference while running up the twisty highway to the event site but the car felt pretty good in the corners. It is hard to tell if the rack feels any quicker or not. I didn't check what the turns were lock to lock on the power steering rack so I can't really compare anymore. Maybe it will feel more sporty after the front end alignment.