wonso79

Hi, does adjusting the caster move the front wheel forward or backwards to make the wheel look more center? I just put on some new 15x7 rims/tires on my 65 mustang and the driver side tire looks off center. it's about 1" from front to fender and about 4" from back to fender, this is the distance from the tire to the fender.

Coupe

Pretty much. Many times when you take a car in to a "so so" shop they just go to hit the numbers without considering tire center line.

wonso79

thanks for the reply, I had the car painted and the engine bay sheet metal all replaced so when they took off the suspension I am wondering if they did an alignment on the car or not. I will have to bring it to a shop in the spring. Thanks again!

BuckeyeDemon

if they were to use the strut rod to pull the lower control arm forward to adjust the caster than obviously it will move the wheel forward. alternatively you can shim one of the bolts on the upper control arm to move the upper control arm backwards.

combine those two methods in order to optimize the wheel in the center.

wonso79

That makes sense, i'll have to try that!

Coupe

Your info shows you have a 65 car, those do not have the adjustable strut rods and use shims behind the UCA to adjust caster and camber.

FWIW I bought a tool so I could DIY, I recommend it over a shop ANY day.

jlg2002

Coupe, quite correct the 65 and 66 used the UCA shimming method for caster setting.
However there is really no reason why the strut rod could not be used if an adjustable one is installed. I'm not sure whether or not a 67 or later strut rod will work .