Adding a set of Mustang caster camber plates is usually necessary when lowering your Mustang. LMR breaks down what caster camber plates are & what they do.
If you’ve lowered or have considered lowering your Mustang, then a set of Caster Camber plates is a must! Caster Camber plates allow full front end alignment adjustability. When lowering your Mustang, it is always a great idea to purchase the supporting modifications to achieve the most performance and safety.
While some look past Caster Camber Plates, they will probably end up purchasing a new set of front tires sometime soon. This can be contributed to an improper front end alignment. Due to the various lowering spring options on the market, it is difficult to say which spring will or will not need Caster Camber Plates, but it is a general rule of thumb that if you are lowering your mustang you might as well do it correctly the first time. You will save yourself the headache, time, and money.
Caster is measured by the slope of the line that is made through the upper and lower pivot points, and can be adjusted by the lateral (forward and backward) movement of your Caster Camber plates. Being able to access this type of adjustability is highly recommended when dealing with a lowered mustang, as the overall drivability can be greatly affected if not adjusted properly. Unlike camber, the caster does not directly affect uneven tire wear. Instead, it affects overall steering control and stability.
Camber, which is measured in degrees, is the angle that defines how far the tire is slanted from the vertical axis of the wheel perpendicular to the ground. As far as camber goes, there are two types of camber, positive and negative. Negative Camber is commonly referred to when the top of the tire leans inward towards the center of the vehicle. Positive Camber refers to when the top of the tire leans outward from the center of the vehicle. Although a slight negative camber can provide more grip and performance around corners, this can promote premature wear to the inside of the tires and potential over-steer throughout the suspension. On the other hand, some positive camber will be gained to prevent under-steer throughout the suspension’s range of handling. Camber should never be neglected as it is a very important factor when it comes to tire tread life and other wear and tear on suspension components of your mustang.
Toe, in the car world, is a term used to describe the symmetric angle that each wheel makes with the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. When measuring toe, you can have either zero toe, toe out, or toe in. Zero toe is used to describe a perfectly angled wheel when measured against the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, in other words, a perfect toe alignment. Toe out is best described as having the wheels pointed in an outward direction. Toe in is used to describe wheels that are pointed inward toward each other. Toe in and toe out can be corrected by adjusting various suspension components to correct your alignment. A toe in or toe out problem will usually cause a tire to "feather" meaning the tread ribs are worn lower on one side.
