Caster adjustment tool
AssigneeTLT Fabrications, Inc.
InventorTerry R. Tyler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The caster angle of a unibody vehicle may be adjusted by securing a fixed frame member to the vehicle's rocker panel pinch weld to provide an anchor point for adjustment. An hydraulic porter power ram mounted between the forward end of the frame leg and the lower control arm of the steering assembly is used to push the lower control arm forward to the proper caster angle. A stabilizing bar attached to the fixed frame member minimizes twisting of the fixed frame member under hydraulic pressure.
Claims15
An apparatus for adjusting the caster angle of a steering assembly of a unibody vehicle having a rocker panel pinch weld, said apparatus comprising:
- a generally T-shaped frame,
- means for securing said frame to the rocker panel pinch weld,
- an expandable adjustment means mounted between said frame and a lower control arm of said steering assembly for movement of said lower point from a first position to a second position, and
- means for expanding said adjustment means whereby moving said lower control arm from said first position to said second position.
An apparatus for adjusting the caster angle of a steering assembly for a unibody frame vehicle having a rocker panel pinch weld, said apparatus comprising:
- a fixed member having opposed ends,
- clamping means secured proximal said opposed ends of said fixed member, for removably securing said fixed member to the pinch weld of the rocker panel,
- a stabilizing member having a first end secured to said fixed member and a second free end extending generally perpendicularly to said fixed member;
- an expandable member having a base and a translating member slidably secured to said base and extendable from said base for movement between a first position and second position,
- a pair of end caps adapted to receive said expandable member base mounted between said frame and said a lower control arm of said steering assembly,
- means for extending said translating member whereby moving said translating member from said first position to said second position and whereby engaging said lower control arm and moving said lower control arm from a first position relative to said frame to a second position relative to said frame.
A method of adjusting the caster angle of a steering assembly of a unibody vehicle having a rocker panel pinch weld comprising the step of:
- measuring the distance from a reference point on the lower surface of the vehicle to a lower control arm of said steering assembly,
- comparing said measured distance to an acceptable value for said vehicle,
- making an end mark on said pinch weld corresponding to the length of an hydraulic porter ram from said lower control arm to said pinch weld;
- aligning a first caster adjustment tool main rail approximately with said end mark;
- clamping said main rail to said pinch weld, supporting a stabilizing member secured to and extending generally perpendicularly to said main rail in a generally horizontal position,
- mounting said hydraulic porter ram between said first end of said main rail and said lower control arm, and
- expanding said porter ram to adjust said distance from said reference point to said lower control arm from said measured distance to said acceptable distance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.