Caster Camber Plate Installation

**bighoss88lx** · 06-17-2006, 01:24 PM

Caster Camber Plate Install
Author: BIGHOSS88LX

This install is done on an 88 LX but the installation procedure is the same for 79-04 Mustangs including all models.

This is the only way you can get a proper alignment on a lowered Mustang and sometimes on a non-lowered Mustang. Caster camber plates give more adjustment to the alignment of the front suspension for street, drag, or road race applications. It’s a good mod for any Mustang and it’s a fairly straightforward install. It will require a good impact if the strut nut or the strut mount bolts have never been removed, there extremely tight from the factory. Follow along as I perform the install.

Tools needed:
Floor jack
Jack stands (2)
Good impact gun
Deep well sockets
Drill and drill bit

Before disassembly measure where the top of the strut is for reference later in the install. Measure from two points 90 degrees apart like the firewall and the fender.

1. Jack the front of the vehicle up high enough to get the front tires off of the ground and place jack stands under front end. Place jack under the control arm of the side your working on because once you unbolt the top of the strut the tension of the spring can cause the spring to fly out.

2. Remove strut nut on top of strut then remove the big washer and upper strut mount bushing.

3. If there are any rivets holding the upper strut mount plate to the strut tower now is the time to remove those. Drill them out or use a punch and knock them out.

4. Remove the 3 or 4 nuts (depending on year of Mustang) securing the upper strut mount plate and lower strut mount plate to the shock tower.

5. Lower the jack until you can pull down on the top of the strut enough to remove the lower strut mount from inside the fender well. That completes the removal of the old strut mount plate.

6. Depending on the caster camber plates you have there will be different spacers to slide onto the strut shaft. Once that is done you can pull down on the strut again to install the lower plate over the strut.

7. Once again there may or may not be stud spacers for your particular plates. They just slide over the studs. Once that is done the bearing plate then the top plate go on.

8. Install the nuts to hold it all together but only hand tighten them for now. There may be another spacer that goes onto the strut shaft above the bearing plate depending on application. Install that then install the strut nut on top of the strut.

9. Now use the measurements you took earlier to put the strut back where it was before you took it apart and tighten everything down and proceed with steps 1-9 again for the other side.

Once complete you will need to take your car to get a good front-end alignment. Here are a few alignment specs that work well for 79-93 MUSTANGS ONLY.

Normal street use - -.7 to-1 degrees camber and 3 to 4 degrees caster
Good street handling - -2 degrees camber and 3 to 4+ degrees caster
Drag race only - -.5 to -.8 degrees camber and 3 to 4 degrees caster
Road race or autocross - -2 to –3 degrees camber and 4+ degrees caster

The author believes the above information to be true and accurate, however it is strictly for educational purposes only. Neither Lonestarstangs.com nor the author can be held liable in any manner for consequential damages occurring from the use of said information.

jstang6969 · 10-19-2006, 10:48 PM

very good and informative Bighoss. That will help out this wkend when I do mine.

Jstang6969

carlosmtg · 11-12-2006, 06:06 PM

any shop recomended?
cause mine is 2.5 inches lowered in the front and pep boys wont do it

jstang6969 · 11-15-2006, 07:20 PM

Today I took my car to get the alignment at Southwest Brake and Alignment. They did it cheap and reasonable. Their lift (not really a lift) is even with the ground so they just drive it straight in. Just another place to consider for the cars that are lowered.

Jstang6969

blkstang87 · 11-15-2006, 07:26 PM

where's that southwest brake at??

jstang6969 · 11-15-2006, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blkstang87

where's that southwest brake at??

Google Maps
Hope that link came out right. Its a few blocks after splashtown going north on the access road.
3930 N Panam Expy, San Antonio, TX
(210) 225-5577

Jay Tee · 11-16-2006, 06:59 AM

it's next door to Lucifer Lifgting (the old Pace Foods place)

06-17-2006, 01:24 PM	#1
bighoss88lx Killing is my Business...And Business is Good! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Elmendorf, Tejas Posts: 5,932 Trader Rating: (1)	Caster Camber Plate Installation Caster Camber Plate Install Author: BIGHOSS88LX This install is done on an 88 LX but the installation procedure is the same for 79-04 Mustangs including all models. This is the only way you can get a proper alignment on a lowered Mustang and sometimes on a non-lowered Mustang. Caster camber plates give more adjustment to the alignment of the front suspension for street, drag, or road race applications. It’s a good mod for any Mustang and it’s a fairly straightforward install. It will require a good impact if the strut nut or the strut mount bolts have never been removed, there extremely tight from the factory. Follow along as I perform the install. Tools needed: Floor jack Jack stands (2) Good impact gun Deep well sockets Drill and drill bit Before disassembly measure where the top of the strut is for reference later in the install. Measure from two points 90 degrees apart like the firewall and the fender. 1. Jack the front of the vehicle up high enough to get the front tires off of the ground and place jack stands under front end. Place jack under the control arm of the side your working on because once you unbolt the top of the strut the tension of the spring can cause the spring to fly out. 2. Remove strut nut on top of strut then remove the big washer and upper strut mount bushing. 3. If there are any rivets holding the upper strut mount plate to the strut tower now is the time to remove those. Drill them out or use a punch and knock them out. 4. Remove the 3 or 4 nuts (depending on year of Mustang) securing the upper strut mount plate and lower strut mount plate to the shock tower. 5. Lower the jack until you can pull down on the top of the strut enough to remove the lower strut mount from inside the fender well. That completes the removal of the old strut mount plate. 6. Depending on the caster camber plates you have there will be different spacers to slide onto the strut shaft. Once that is done you can pull down on the strut again to install the lower plate over the strut. 7. Once again there may or may not be stud spacers for your particular plates. They just slide over the studs. Once that is done the bearing plate then the top plate go on. 8. Install the nuts to hold it all together but only hand tighten them for now. There may be another spacer that goes onto the strut shaft above the bearing plate depending on application. Install that then install the strut nut on top of the strut. 9. Now use the measurements you took earlier to put the strut back where it was before you took it apart and tighten everything down and proceed with steps 1-9 again for the other side. Once complete you will need to take your car to get a good front-end alignment. Here are a few alignment specs that work well for 79-93 MUSTANGS ONLY. Normal street use - -.7 to-1 degrees camber and 3 to 4 degrees caster Good street handling - -2 degrees camber and 3 to 4+ degrees caster Drag race only - -.5 to -.8 degrees camber and 3 to 4 degrees caster Road race or autocross - -2 to –3 degrees camber and 4+ degrees caster The author believes the above information to be true and accurate, however it is strictly for educational purposes only. Neither Lonestarstangs.com nor the author can be held liable in any manner for consequential damages occurring from the use of said information. __________________ 1988 Mustang LX Last edited by bighoss88lx : 06-17-2006 at 01:53 PM.

11-15-2006, 07:20 PM	#4
jstang6969 Im Hawt Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Close by (.Y.) Posts: 1,633 Trader Rating: (0)	Good Alignment Shop Today I took my car to get the alignment at Southwest Brake and Alignment. They did it cheap and reasonable. Their lift (not really a lift) is even with the ground so they just drive it straight in. Just another place to consider for the cars that are lowered. Jstang6969

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10-19-2006, 10:48 PM	#2
jstang6969 Im Hawt Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Close by (.Y.) Posts: 1,633 Trader Rating: (0)	very good and informative Bighoss. That will help out this wkend when I do mine. Jstang6969

11-12-2006, 06:06 PM	#3
carlosmtg mustang lover Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: san antonio Posts: 147 Trader Rating: (0)	any shop recomended? cause mine is 2.5 inches lowered in the front and pep boys wont do it

11-15-2006, 07:26 PM	#5
blkstang87 ☆★sSs★☆ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: San Antone Posts: 4,007 Trader Rating: (4)	where's that southwest brake at??

11-16-2006, 06:59 AM	#7
Jay Tee Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: in the city Posts: 73 Trader Rating: (0)	it's next door to Lucifer Lifgting (the old Pace Foods place)