Caster out.. bushes?

[sam55]

I’ve just had my 182 with Cup Packs’ (and Bilstein B14s) wheels aligned and the caster at the front seems quite far out.

From what I can see elsewhere in the forums, it’s likely to be worn wishbone bushes. But they look fine on inspection, and the wishbones are only about 15,000 miles old. I have admittedly driven the car on track a couple of times, but only with normal road tyres. So the loading wouldn’t have been abnormally high. I think..

Anyone know if a 0.8 degree difference is something bushes would likely cause, or am I looking at something more significant?

Any guidance is much appreciated!

 

[Amos91]

Both genuine lower arms?

Also it's not 0.8 degrees. There are 60 minutes (of arc) in a degree.

 

[sam55]

Yeah they should be correct. Sourced from Renault with my reg a couple of years ago. Now I’m worried I’ve been running on incorrect spec ones.. I best check first!

 

[sam55]

Anyone know what I should be looking at or measuriing when getting under the car to check that my wishbones are both of 182 Cup spec?

I've come across images (below) that compare 172 and 172 Cup wishbones (I think) - assuming this sort of visible difference is what I should be looking for under my car?

https://cliosport.net/attachments/2012-07-08-11-14-30-jpg.81804/

https://cliosport.net/attachments/2012-07-08-11-14-47-jpg.81803/

 

[Usr117063]

Anyone know what I should be looking at or measuriing when getting under the car to check that my wishbones are both of 182 Cup spec?

I've come across images (below) that compare 172 and 172 Cup wishbones (I think) - assuming this sort of visible difference is what I should be looking for under my car?

https://cliosport.net/attachments/2012-07-08-11-14-30-jpg.81804/

https://cliosport.net/attachments/2012-07-08-11-14-47-jpg.81803/

Yes, also could be non oem wishbone. If the look the same then they are most likely oem.

 

[sam55]

Update on the above: I got the car up on a ramp and, lo and behold, the wishbones are indeed correct. It was hard to see underneath when the car was jacked on the ground, but now it's clear wishbones aren't causing the caster issue.

I've just had new bearings fitted to my PMS solid top mounts (which are about eight years old now, so fair play!), and it's sent the tracking out. Which suggests to me that it was the old, worn bearing(s) angling the strut(s) incorrectly. I'm getting the car tracked tomorrow morn, so I'll know in about 24 hours. Fingers crossed.

 

[Louis]

Update on the above: I got the car up on a ramp and, lo and behold, the wishbones are indeed correct. It was hard to see underneath when the car was jacked on the ground, but now it's clear wishbones aren't causing the caster issue.

I've just had new bearings fitted to my PMS solid top mounts (which are about eight years old now, so fair play!), and it's sent the tracking out. Which suggests to me that it was the old, worn bearing(s) angling the strut(s) incorrectly. I'm getting the car tracked tomorrow morn, so I'll know in about 24 hours. Fingers crossed.

Theyve probably been fucked for 7 years 😂

 

[sam55]

Argh. Alignment printout shows the caster is still out 🤬 I wonder if fire will fix it.

I think I’m going to have to take the car to a specialist that can look under it and hopefully spot whatever’s causing the issue. The wishbones look fine and fresh to be honest.

Thankfully it drives fine (it pulls to the left ever so slightly only at high speed), so I’ll worry about it next year when I treat the car to new front tyres and feel happier about throwing some money at it.