Although setting caster and camber is almost outdated due to the advent of strut suspensions, it is still required on some older cars with traditional coil spring suspension. Caster is the angle that the wheel tilts, either forward or backwards, at the top of the steering axis when viewed from the side of the vehicle. Although caster does not affect tire wear, it does affect the directional control of the vehicle. Camber is the angle that the top of the wheel tilts while looking at the wheel from the front or rear. Camber settings affect both tire wear and directional control. Checking the caster and camber with a Longacre gauge sounds complicated, but is actually quite simple.
Park the vehicle on a flat, level surface.
Attach the Longacre caster camber gauge to the spindles on the front wheels. Use either the magnetic adapter or the threaded adapter that are included with the gauge.
Turn the gauge until the small level at the end, just in front of the knurled knob, indicates the gauge is level.
View the levels on either side of the gauge to read the camber. The vial in the front is marked positive camber and the vial to the rear is marked negative camber. Only one vial will show a reading.The line closest to the center of the bubble on the vial that shows a reading, is the correct camber reading.
Turn the right wheel to the right, until the angle on the corner at the end of the gauge is parallel with the side of the vehicle. Turn the gauge until it is level.
Rotate the knurled knob in the center until the bubble in the center vial reads zero.
Rotate the right wheel to the left until the other angle at the end is parallel with the car. Rotate the gauge again until it is level. Do not touch the knob at the end. Read the caster on the center vial. The correct caster reading is at the center of the bubble.
Repeat for the left wheel, turning the wheel to the left first.
