Discovery II Talk about the Land Rover Discovery II within.
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caster correction

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Old Oct 25, 2020 | 12:14 PM
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baileyrockhound's Avatar
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Default caster correction

I searched this several times but came up with no info

I have built lots of 4x4s, taken cjs to coils, xj to leaf springs, built everything literally from a hummer h3 to ford excursion, chevy, ford, jeep, to now 2 discovery 2s

The 2004 disco with the new 3 inch lift is of course in need of caster correction, it drives ok even at higher speeds, but i would not turn it over to my teenagers.

I have seen several options for radius arms and have seen lots of opinions as to strength etc. What i have not seen is an option for caster plates...

The toyota radius arms are very sinilar if not identical in function to a land rover arm. They have lots of options for catser plates to corect for caster, There is one company out of australia that makes them for the disco, but they will not export to the US. I realize there will be a small loss of clearance under the arms when something like this is used. I am a decent fabricator and have considered making my own adjustable arms or a set of plates.

Does anyone make these plates that maybe i just somehow missed the option is anyone here running a set of plates instead of new arms. The cost of new arms is not terrible but im just curious.
 

Last edited by baileyrockhound; Oct 25, 2020 at 12:21 PM.
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Old Oct 25, 2020 | 04:57 PM
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So today I broke the Disco down so that I can actually measure the caster and what changes would need to be made to bring it back to 4 to 5 degrees positive caster.
after the 3 in heavy duty terrafirma lift the caster is reading -1 degree. That is no bueno. I set the rig up on level ground. Using my floor jack to bring the axle up to the same height as with the tire installed removing the two lower radius arm bolts to allow axle rotation i was able to rotate and measure the rotation necessary to facilitate a 5 degree positive caster setting.
I had found a set of Caster correction plates for the 80 series Toyota that showed for a two and a half inch lift they literally needed only about the width of the insert in the arm bushing as a total rotation to correct for that lift. I'm finding through my measurements about the same amount of rotation required for the Land Rover. This puts the mounting hole about three quarters of an inch Center difference from the original hole. This is such a small amount of rotation I don't see any reason why a simple set of welded plates couldn't make up the rotational difference that is necessary.
 
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Old Oct 25, 2020 | 09:08 PM
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I have not seen any plates for a D2. If you go with a new set of arms I'd go with the RTE ones as they are the most robust ones that I've seen.
 
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Old Oct 25, 2020 | 10:26 PM
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White tiger 4x4 in Australia makes them
i already have a pattern and will have plates fabbed tomorrow
 
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Old Oct 26, 2020 | 05:15 AM
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I would have to think that the time invested to make your measurements yesterday, the time to design/layout your template & then have 4x cnc’d from 1/4” stock, lead time, then time to cut your stock arms, bend them, (allow some extra time to jig and monitor consistency between the two) then to weld all your plates on, paint and mount - is no longer cost effective vs having a set made from RTE.

If it’s the challenge you seek; then cheers! I recall giving some serious thought to making my own as well...
 
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Old Oct 26, 2020 | 11:20 AM
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I have no intention of cutting the stock arms
a simple plate to rotate the axle would not require a cnc machine. Careful measurements and a drill press will recreate accurate holes
i have fabricated literally dozens of suspension systems over the last 25 years
Measuring caster is a fairly easy thing to do on a solid axle every steering knuckle has a measuring point.
Taking the measurements and creating a template took about an hour
i do have the advantage of having a well equipped shop, lifts and other tools make it much easier
 

Last edited by baileyrockhound; Oct 26, 2020 at 11:29 AM.
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Old Oct 26, 2020 | 12:09 PM
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Are you making plates to go under the axle, or to drop the rear end of the arms?
 
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Old Oct 26, 2020 | 12:43 PM
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I will be rotating the axle end
 
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Old Oct 26, 2020 | 01:00 PM
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I'd be interested in a set or two if you'd be interested in making them, I think you're even located near me..
 
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Old Oct 26, 2020 | 02:52 PM
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Pretty cool. Share a photo when done
 
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