Caster/Camber Plate Install Problems

93Cobra#2771 · 03-15-2005, 12:47 PM

Well, finally getting around to install my steeda c/c plates. I'm having a few issues. I copied and pasted the following from my original post on the corral:

Well, as usual, I take a seemingly simple upgrade and make it difficult. I've got the Steeda aluminum C/C plates (3 bolt):
http://www.steeda.com/store/-catalo...ps-on-black.jpg

So anyway, I start the install yesterday. Everything is going OK, until it comes to the point where I bolt the plate to the strut tower (Driver's side).

It appears the top of my strut tower is slightly rounded. So when it comes to bolting them together, the top plate acts like a freaking seesaw. I can bolt the front side of it, or the back side of it, but not both. Top plate is perfectly flat (1/2" thick billet aluminum). If I had longer bolts I could prob. pull it off, but that isn't an option, as they are welded to the bottom plate.

I will say that it is possible that my strut tower is malformed. When I removed the stock top plate, I saw that somewhere along the way, some one had opened the stock mounting holes up to allow repositioning of the top plate toward the firewall (more caster). The holes had been slotted a good 1/2" back, plus some extra side to side. Don't know about the passenger side, haven't disassembled yet.

I inspected both the top and bottom of the tower, and I don't see any signs of bending such as cracked paint or fatigued metal. It all looks like it is supposed to.

So my questions are:
1. Anyone seen anything like this before?
2. Is the driver's side strut tower slightly rounded, or is mine bent?
3. Is it simply a matter of the bolts being a little too short on the bottom plate?

FWIW, I could just barely bolt it all together if I didn't have to fit the strut onion head back in.

What do you guys think?

Craig K. · 03-15-2005, 02:04 PM

I would say:
A) you can fix the problem by straightening the strut tower one way or another
B) replace the strut tower, if it is truly messed up
C) cut the weld on one bolt on the bottom plate and replace it with a longer one. re-weld inplace, or use a back-up wrench when tightening it.

93Cobra#2771 · 03-16-2005, 09:53 AM

Can someone do me a favor and lay a straight edge (on the driver's side) from the forward holes to the rear hole? How straight is that showing up? BTW, I'll post some pix up at lunch time or so.

If the top of the tower is tweaked, I may use a BFH and a block of wood to see if I can tweak it back...

My front left side has never been able to be in correct alignment, and I attributed it to a bad front left strut. But now, I'm beginning to wonder if the strut tower isn't the whole problem...

QWKSNKE · 03-16-2005, 10:05 AM

I'll try to remember and check mine when I get home this evening if it isn't raining

93Cobra#2771 · 03-16-2005, 11:13 AM

As promised here are my pix:

93Cobra#2771 · 03-16-2005, 11:18 AM

These last two are the stock plate on a flat surface, notice the bent shape it has (matches the strut tower perfectly):

Italian LX · 03-16-2005, 12:46 PM

That just doesn't look right.

. . . I'm about 99% sure that my billet BBK plates are flat.

93Cobra#2771 · 03-16-2005, 01:05 PM

As are my Steeda's. Flat as a flitter (little east TN slang for ya there). The pictured one is the stocker, and it has been conformed to the top of the tower.

Haven't yet got to look at another fox shock tower, but I bet everyone else's shock tower is flat on the driverside. I'm beginning to think someone hit the left front hard on a curb or something, hard enough to bottom the suspension and deform the damn shock tower.

May get to break out a block of wood and a big hammer to see if I can bend it back. I'm betting this is the reason why my car has always sat lower on the front left. DAMMIT, LEE, your luck is following me!

Craig K. · 03-16-2005, 01:53 PM

I will look at my '85 GT tonight, but I am pretty sure that it is flat as a flitter.

I would try giving it a couple of good wacks and see if you can flatten it out. You should watch it overtime though to make sure there is no spring back affect, and it doesn't start to bow back over time.

93Cobra#2771 · 03-16-2005, 02:04 PM

I tried a nice, non marring, rubber mallet (2#), but I guess I'll wail on it with a block of wood and a small sledge, hoping the damn hood don't get in my way...

03-15-2005, 12:47 PM	#1
93Cobra#2771 The Kocky One Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Yeah, but those cutters won't bust any walnuts.â„¢ Posts: 1,948	Caster/Camber Plate Install Problems Well, finally getting around to install my steeda c/c plates. I'm having a few issues. I copied and pasted the following from my original post on the corral: Well, as usual, I take a seemingly simple upgrade and make it difficult. I've got the Steeda aluminum C/C plates (3 bolt): http://www.steeda.com/store/-catalo...ps-on-black.jpg So anyway, I start the install yesterday. Everything is going OK, until it comes to the point where I bolt the plate to the strut tower (Driver's side). It appears the top of my strut tower is slightly rounded. So when it comes to bolting them together, the top plate acts like a freaking seesaw. I can bolt the front side of it, or the back side of it, but not both. Top plate is perfectly flat (1/2" thick billet aluminum). If I had longer bolts I could prob. pull it off, but that isn't an option, as they are welded to the bottom plate. I will say that it is possible that my strut tower is malformed. When I removed the stock top plate, I saw that somewhere along the way, some one had opened the stock mounting holes up to allow repositioning of the top plate toward the firewall (more caster). The holes had been slotted a good 1/2" back, plus some extra side to side. Don't know about the passenger side, haven't disassembled yet. I inspected both the top and bottom of the tower, and I don't see any signs of bending such as cracked paint or fatigued metal. It all looks like it is supposed to. So my questions are: 1. Anyone seen anything like this before? 2. Is the driver's side strut tower slightly rounded, or is mine bent? 3. Is it simply a matter of the bolts being a little too short on the bottom plate? FWIW, I could just barely bolt it all together if I didn't have to fit the strut onion head back in. What do you guys think? __________________ *For Sale: Reproduction Window Stickers, 87+ Mustangs, Cobras, Lightnings, and HD F150!* Richard White 93 Cobra Kocky will be back!

03-16-2005, 09:53 AM	#3
93Cobra#2771 The Kocky One Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Yeah, but those cutters won't bust any walnuts.â„¢ Posts: 1,948	Re: Caster/Camber Plate Install Problems Can someone do me a favor and lay a straight edge (on the driver's side) from the forward holes to the rear hole? How straight is that showing up? BTW, I'll post some pix up at lunch time or so. If the top of the tower is tweaked, I may use a BFH and a block of wood to see if I can tweak it back... My front left side has never been able to be in correct alignment, and I attributed it to a bad front left strut. But now, I'm beginning to wonder if the strut tower isn't the whole problem... __________________ *For Sale: Reproduction Window Stickers, 87+ Mustangs, Cobras, Lightnings, and HD F150!* Richard White 93 Cobra Kocky will be back!

03-16-2005, 10:05 AM	#4
QWKSNKE 3v's are slow Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Here and There Posts: 17,152	Re: Caster/Camber Plate Install Problems I'll try to remember and check mine when I get home this evening if it isn't raining __________________ 2009 Porsche Carrera S 2008 ///AMG C63.. Eurocharge Tune. RIP 2019 AMG GLC43..wife's 03 F250 SD.. Edge Evo, AFE Stage 1 CAI 08 GT. JBA axle back, FRPP springs, FRPP swaybars.. daughter's 01 Cobra vert... wife's I need a new toy

03-16-2005, 11:13 AM	#5
93Cobra#2771 The Kocky One Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Yeah, but those cutters won't bust any walnuts.â„¢ Posts: 1,948	Re: Caster/Camber Plate Install Problems As promised here are my pix: __________________ *For Sale: Reproduction Window Stickers, 87+ Mustangs, Cobras, Lightnings, and HD F150!* Richard White 93 Cobra Kocky will be back!

03-16-2005, 11:18 AM	#6
93Cobra#2771 The Kocky One Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Yeah, but those cutters won't bust any walnuts.â„¢ Posts: 1,948	Re: Caster/Camber Plate Install Problems These last two are the stock plate on a flat surface, notice the bent shape it has (matches the strut tower perfectly): __________________ *For Sale: Reproduction Window Stickers, 87+ Mustangs, Cobras, Lightnings, and HD F150!* Richard White 93 Cobra Kocky will be back!

03-15-2005, 02:04 PM	#2
Craig K. Nothing new here Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Senoia, GA Posts: 2,990	Re: Caster/Camber Plate Install Problems I would say: A) you can fix the problem by straightening the strut tower one way or another B) replace the strut tower, if it is truly messed up C) cut the weld on one bolt on the bottom plate and replace it with a longer one. re-weld inplace, or use a back-up wrench when tightening it. __________________ 1974 Triumph TR6 1985 Monte Carlo SS 1986 Mustang GT 2011 KIA Optima GTS

03-16-2005, 12:46 PM	#7
Italian LX Daddy x4 ...we're done Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oxford, AL Posts: 11,551	Re: Caster/Camber Plate Install Problems That just doesn't look right. . . . I'm about 99% sure that my billet BBK plates are flat. __________________ -Brian '86 Mustang GT Convertible '88 Mustang LX coupe '11 Odyssey TE '21 Insight Touring

03-16-2005, 01:05 PM	#8
93Cobra#2771 The Kocky One Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Yeah, but those cutters won't bust any walnuts.â„¢ Posts: 1,948	Re: Caster/Camber Plate Install Problems As are my Steeda's. Flat as a flitter (little east TN slang for ya there). The pictured one is the stocker, and it has been conformed to the top of the tower. Haven't yet got to look at another fox shock tower, but I bet everyone else's shock tower is flat on the driverside. I'm beginning to think someone hit the left front hard on a curb or something, hard enough to bottom the suspension and deform the damn shock tower. May get to break out a block of wood and a big hammer to see if I can bend it back. I'm betting this is the reason why my car has always sat lower on the front left. DAMMIT, LEE, your luck is following me! __________________ *For Sale: Reproduction Window Stickers, 87+ Mustangs, Cobras, Lightnings, and HD F150!* Richard White 93 Cobra Kocky will be back!

03-16-2005, 01:53 PM	#9
Craig K. Nothing new here Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Senoia, GA Posts: 2,990	Re: Caster/Camber Plate Install Problems I will look at my '85 GT tonight, but I am pretty sure that it is flat as a flitter. I would try giving it a couple of good wacks and see if you can flatten it out. You should watch it overtime though to make sure there is no spring back affect, and it doesn't start to bow back over time. __________________ 1974 Triumph TR6 1985 Monte Carlo SS 1986 Mustang GT 2011 KIA Optima GTS

03-16-2005, 02:04 PM	#10
93Cobra#2771 The Kocky One Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Yeah, but those cutters won't bust any walnuts.â„¢ Posts: 1,948	Re: Caster/Camber Plate Install Problems I tried a nice, non marring, rubber mallet (2#), but I guess I'll wail on it with a block of wood and a small sledge, hoping the damn hood don't get in my way... __________________ *For Sale: Reproduction Window Stickers, 87+ Mustangs, Cobras, Lightnings, and HD F150!* Richard White 93 Cobra Kocky will be back!