Table of Contents
Dialing in your BRZ suspension is essential for optimizing handling and performance on both the street and the track. Proper adjustments of camber, caster, and toe can significantly enhance your driving experience. In this article, we will explore how to make these adjustments effectively.
Understanding Suspension Geometry
Before diving into adjustments, it’s important to understand the basic principles of suspension geometry. Each of the three adjustments—camber, caster, and toe—plays a crucial role in how your vehicle handles.
Camber
Camber refers to the angle of the wheels in relation to the ground. Positive camber means the top of the wheel is tilted away from the vehicle, while negative camber means it is tilted towards the vehicle. Proper camber settings can improve cornering grip.
- Negative Camber: Increases tire contact during cornering.
- Positive Camber: Generally not used for performance but can help with straight-line stability.
Caster
Caster is the angle of the steering axis when viewed from the side of the vehicle. A positive caster angle helps with straight-line stability and steering feel, while a negative angle can lead to a more responsive but less stable feel.
- Positive Caster: Enhances stability and self-centering of the steering.
- Negative Caster: Rarely used in performance setups.
Toe
Toe refers to the direction the wheels point relative to the centerline of the vehicle. Toe-in means the front of the wheels is closer together than the rear, while toe-out means they are farther apart. This adjustment affects tire wear and handling.
- Toe-In: Can improve stability but may lead to increased tire wear.
- Toe-Out: Increases responsiveness but may decrease straight-line stability.
Making Adjustments
Now that we have a basic understanding of camber, caster, and toe, let’s discuss how to make these adjustments on your BRZ.
Tools Required
- Alignment rack or alignment tools
- Camber gauge
- Caster/camber plate (if applicable)
- Toe plates
Camber Adjustment
To adjust camber, follow these steps:
- Use a camber gauge or alignment rack to measure current camber settings.
- Adjust the camber by loosening the bolts on the top of the strut assembly.
- Tilt the top of the strut inwards for negative camber or outwards for positive camber.
- Tighten the bolts and recheck the camber angle.
Caster Adjustment
Caster adjustments are typically made using caster/camber plates. Here’s how:
- Measure the current caster angle using an alignment rack.
- If using caster/camber plates, loosen the bolts on the plates.
- Adjust the plates to increase or decrease the caster angle.
- Tighten the bolts and recheck the caster angle.
Toe Adjustment
To adjust toe, follow these steps:
- Use toe plates to measure the current toe settings.
- Loosen the tie rod end lock nuts.
- Turn the tie rod to adjust the toe angle as needed.
- Tighten the lock nuts and recheck the toe setting.
Testing and Fine-Tuning
After making adjustments, it is crucial to test the vehicle. Take it for a short drive to evaluate handling and make any necessary fine-tuning adjustments.
- Pay attention to steering feel and response.
- Monitor tire wear patterns over time.
- Adjust settings as necessary based on driving conditions.
Conclusion
Dialing in your BRZ suspension through proper camber, caster, and toe adjustments can greatly enhance your driving experience. By understanding these concepts and following the steps outlined, you can achieve optimal performance on the road or track.