Caster on new GU with 2inch lift

These are strange, I have fitted a 2" lift springs and shocks (actually lifted up 80mm, and has since settled to 65 mm lift over the originals) to my GU3 and did not need a castor kit. It drove no different.

I think for a 2" lift these are optional, its up to the idividual. Some after market places will do the upsell and try do these at the same time.

Gday Darren

I have a GU4 and had the OME 2" suspension fitted, I was also told I would not need them. After about 5,000kms I noticed Immature wear on the outer edges of the Tyres. I then fitted caster correction plates and a good wheel alignment and problem solved.

Im not sure what the Nissan tolerances are, I was also told it was within specs on its first wheel alignment, but the plates made all the difference on the second alignment to both steering and premature wear.

Cheers

My ARB agent told me when I got a quote for a 2" OME lift (2003 GU) that he would check the castor AFTER the fitting and THEN decide if a correction kit was necessary...

Turns out it was needed and it's done. Tracks true and tyres wearing evenly.

To be honest I can't see how you could raise 50mm and NOT need one...

Castor corrction plates or bushes should be fitted anytime where you have negative castor. This occurs when the axle is rotated due to the fitment of long travel springs in a live axle vehicle.
I doubt Nissan would have a specific tolerance for castor as it is depandant on the condition of springs and vehicle ride height etc. As long as you have "some"postive castor you will be Ok.
I would suggest that anytime a suspension kit that raisses the vehicle by anymore than 30-40 mm a castor kit of some description should be fitted.
I tend to prefer the eccentric castor bushes rather than plates as I don't think castor plares are legal on road vehicles (however this may depend on what state yoor in)

Thought I'd post the results of my adventure for other's benefit.


First I was fobbed off by a couple of ARB reps who seemed to think I was imagining things.

Then I had 3 others (who also drive GU's) drive my car and agree it felt bodgy, I also found the light steering was exacerbated by towing my boat.

Finally Spoke to a very helpful lady at ARB head office who was empathetic and after she made some enquiries we agreed to fit the Caster kit. The difference is very significant, the car now feels sure footed and drives like a new car should.

I also found out the specs should be 3.5 degrees give or take 1.5 degrees. Amazingly mine without the caster kit was 2 degrees which was the same as my other patrol with the kit. The new kit has put this to 5 degrees.