[kendirt]

How much caster split is typically built in to a Midget front axle?

[TQ29m]

Good question, just wish I understood it, as I'm sure some other are wondering also. Try again, with what you really need to know. If it's what I'm thinking it is, it's usually driver preference, but! Bob

[kendirt]

Ok, so on an independent front suspension car caster and camber are adjustable independently of one another and side to side.

On a straight axle, camber is whatever the axle's built with. Caster is adjustable but the split is built into the axle.

For instance a dirt Modified might be 1.5°+ LF, 5°+ RF caster.

I'm just curious what a typical split would be on a Midget if any.

[jjones752]

Triple X front axle is 9 degrees LF, 12 RF (with the right side radius rods equal length) according to their website...

[badcoupe]

The split helps jack weight into right rear while turning right while allowing the the car to steer in normally. I think most chassis shops have their own preferred setup.

[TQ29m]

You can also change that, by how much lead you put in the RF.

[jjones752]

Originally Posted by TQ29m You can also change that, by how much lead you put in the RF.

What does lead change, Bob? It wouldn't affect the caster split, does it change the jacking effect, or the turn-in? I've never quite got my head around what lead does do, other than alter the wheelbase, which would (I guess) help the car to rotate.

[DAD]

This stuff is pretty critical when racing on pavement>>>Dirt not so much

[TQ29m]

Originally Posted by jjones752 What does lead change, Bob? It wouldn't affect the caster split, does it change the jacking effect, or the turn-in? I've never quite got my head around what lead does do, other than alter the wheelbase, which would (I guess) help the car to rotate.

I know Jim, it's hard to figure, and hard to visualize, and really hard to wrap your head around, say 3/8" lead on RF, as the wheels start to turn in, it kind of unloads the left rear, making it turn better, as you turn the wheels in a counter steer, it adds more weight to the left rear, making it bite better, and gets you off the turn better, I think! I know with my axle fixture, I can change it pretty much how you want it, and things are different, what they are doing, is welding the eyes in, at different angles, again, I think, I can tell you my favorite set up, both eyes the same, 3/8 rf lead, 1/8 toe out, and 4* negative caster. I think! I used to watch a guy who drove for Bill Case, he was always adjusting something on the front axle, toe, lead, something, and he did well. When you "unsquare" the front axle, things change. I spent one winter on Jacobs ladders and front end geometry, with a digital level, and marks on paper, I had a headache all winter, there's a lot of variables, it was fun, but now I don't know if it was worth it or not.

[Can26]

Maybe I'm mixed up with the wording but, I always thought the axles 'camber' was split at 9* and 12*, but the 'CASTER" was a 3* split on a sprint axle. I would think it would work well on a midget axle as well.