Caster - Explained

The final segment of four short videos on wheel alignment. This video provides information on caster, and the role it plays on automobiles.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• wheel
• tire
• alignment
• camber
• caster
• toe
• toe-in
• toe-out
• steering
• axis
• inclination
• Caster
• Angle

[oldskoolcooper]

what type of caster would a race car e.g formula 1 car have and why? would negative caster give more responsive steering? Excelent videos by the way!

[EngineeringExplained]

@oldskoolcooper You pretty much always want positive, at the worst neutral. Since Formula cars are going at much greater speeds, it wouldn't surprise me if the caster angle they used was much smaller than on everyday cars.

[engineeringjtc]

Ahah! This diagram in the top left actually helped me to understand the steering axis-inclination a bit better! Very nice video.

One question on steering axis inclination though: I can see how the inclination would pull the tire straight if turning one direction, but if the tire is turned in the opposite direction, would the inclination not push it up instead of down thus making the pull to straighten the tire only effective when turning one direction?

I hope that made a little bit of sense....

[EngineeringExplained]

@engineeringjtc Yes, I understand what you're asking. It does not matter which direction you turn. If you understand the diagram to the bottom left, and simply mirror it, this is what occurs when you turn the tire the other direction.

[DarkStyler94]

Your awesome dude, just one litle advice, i noticed that you started giving real exemples, keep doin that ;)

[EngineeringExplained]

@DarkStyler94 Yeah, I try to incorporate them when I have the means to, glad it helps!

[toothpik00]

@EngineeringExplained Yes, I was a little confused at what you were getting at, right up until you showed us your chair and then it all fell into place. Thanks!

[basa9001]

we are going to "Formula Student" next semester... we would love if you could join us...huhh..although your videos have been with us from the beginning...thanks

[engineeringjtc]

@EngineeringExplained Ok, thank you very much. I misunderstood the rotational axis. Pretty stupid of me, but thank you for answering

[chrisinator13]

what kind of car is that? i want one