What causes camber and caster to be off?

Camber and caster can drift out of spec due to damage, wear, or changes in ride height that alter wheel geometry. Most issues stem from impacts, worn components, or adjustments made during repairs or modifications.

Understanding camber and caster

Camber refers to the tilt of the wheel in the vertical plane. Positive camber tilts the top of the wheel outward, while negative camber tilts it inward. Caster is the angle of the steering axis relative to vertical in the side view; positive caster helps the steering wheel return to center and improves stability. Both angles are set at the factory and checked during an alignment. They can drift due to mechanical wear, damage, or changes in ride height, affecting tire wear, handling, and steering feel.

Camber: causes and how it goes off

Common reasons camber can go out of spec include events and wear that bend, loosen, or change the alignment geometry at the wheel mounting points.

Here are the most common causes of camber deviation on street vehicles:

• Impact or collision damage to suspension components (control arms, ball joints, knuckles, or subframe) from potholes, curbs, or crashes.


• Worn or damaged suspension parts such as control-arm bushings, ball joints, struts, or mounting hardware that allow extra movement and change wheel angle.


• Ride-height changes from aftermarket lowering/raising kits or air suspension installations, which alter suspension geometry.


• Incorrect alignment after component replacement or service, or loose/slipping camber bolts and adjustable arms.


• Bent wheels or damaged wheel mounting surfaces that skew alignment readings.


• Frame or subframe damage that distorts the suspension mounting points.

Keeping camber within spec requires diagnosing for damage, inspecting wear parts, and performing a precise alignment after any suspension work or height change.

Symptoms and diagnostic signs

Common indicators that camber is off include unusual tire wear patterns (inner or outer edge wear), the steering wheel not centered when driving straight, or the car pulling to one side under certain loads or speeds. A professional alignment can confirm camber readings and identify the exact part(s) at fault.

Caster: causes and how it goes off

Like camber, caster can drift when the front-end geometry is disturbed. Caster affects steering feel and straight-line stability, so changes are noticeable in driving impressions and tire wear.

Here are the common causes caster deviation can result from:

• Impact or collision damage to the front suspension or steering components that bends knuckles, arms, or the steering rack.


• Worn or damaged steering components such as tie-rod ends, rack bushings, or steering column bushings that change steering geometry.


• Misalignment after suspension repairs or height changes (e.g., after replacing control arms or lowering the vehicle without rechecking caster).


• Ride-height changes that modify the steering axis angle, especially with vehicles that rely on adjustable caster geometry.


• Bent or damaged steering knuckle or subframe from accidents that alters the pivot points used to measure caster.

After diagnosing, caster adjustment is typically part of a full front-end alignment, and driver-safe handling requires correcting it to the manufacturer's specification.

Symptoms of off-caster

Common signs include heavy or twitchy steering, a tendency for the vehicle to wander on the highway, inconsistent steering feel, or unusual tire wear (particularly on the inside or outside edges). If you notice these, have a professional inspect the steering system and perform a full alignment with measurements.

What to do if you suspect camber or caster is off

Have a qualified technician inspect the front suspension and steering system for bent or worn components, check ride height, and perform a comprehensive wheel alignment using proper equipment. Address any damaged parts before or during alignment to restore proper camber and caster specifications.

Summary

Camber and caster going out of spec almost always point to physical damage, component wear, or geometry changes from height adjustments or repair work. Prompt diagnostics, targeted part replacement, and a precise alignment are essential to restore handling, tire life, and safety. Regular inspections after impacts, height changes, or suspension work can prevent gradual wear from becoming a driving issue.

What causes camber to be off?

Off-camber is caused by worn or damaged suspension parts like bushings, control arms, and struts, as well as external forces like hitting potholes or curbs. Other factors include incorrect ride height, improper installation of aftermarket parts, and even the weight of a load in the vehicle.
 
Worn or damaged parts

• Suspension components: Worn-out ball joints, bushings, and wheel bearings can create excess play, which disrupts alignment angles. 
• Bent components: A bent control arm, strut shaft, or spindle can significantly alter camber. 
• Worn springs: Fatigue in suspension springs can cause the vehicle to sit lower, leading to improper camber. 
• Strut tower: A shift in the position of the strut tower is a common cause of improper camber. 

External forces

• Impacts: Hitting a pothole or curb can directly cause components to shift, bend, or break.
• Minor collisions: Even a small accident can cause damage that affects suspension geometry.
• General wear and tear: Accumulation of minor incidents over time can cause alignment angles to drift. 

Other causes

• Ride height changes: Lifting or lowering a vehicle without adjusting the suspension geometry will throw off the camber. 
• Improper installation: Poor installation of new suspension parts can lead to incorrect angles. 
• Structural damage: Frame damage from a serious accident can alter the vehicle's overall geometry. 
• Tire pressure: Incorrectly inflated tires can affect the camber of the wheel. 
• Vehicle load: The weight of heavy loads, especially in the rear, can change camber angles. 

What to do
If you suspect your camber is off, have a professional inspect the suspension and perform an alignment. A mechanic can identify any bent components or other issues that need to be fixed before the alignment is corrected.

What happens when your caster is off?

If a vehicle's caster is off, it can cause poor steering stability, pulling, and uneven tire wear. A large side-to-side caster difference can make the vehicle pull to one side, while too much or too little caster can lead to steering issues like a loose or heavy feel, and a tendency to wander or feel unstable. 
This video explains what happens when a car's caster is off: 1mCJ Pony PartsYouTube · Jun 3, 2022
Steering and stability issues

• Wandering or pulling: A significant caster imbalance between the left and right sides can cause the car to drift or pull to one side, especially at higher speeds. 
• Loose or heavy steering:
  • Too little positive caster: can make steering feel loose, unstable, and "wander". 
  • Too much positive caster: can make steering feel heavy and hard to turn. 
• Steering wheel doesn't return to center: The steering wheel may not automatically return to the straight-ahead position after a turn. 
• Shimmy: Improper caster can contribute to a shaking or shimmying sensation in the steering wheel. 

Tire wear and other symptoms 

• Uneven tire wear: While not a primary cause of tire wear, an improper caster can exacerbate other alignment issues that lead to uneven and premature tire wear. 
• Increased driver fatigue: Constant corrections to keep the car from wandering or pulling can be tiring for the driver. 
• Bent components: Caster misalignment is often caused by bent components, such as a bent spindle, strut, or control arm. 

This video explains the relationship between caster and tire wear: 36sCape Fear CustomsYouTube · Nov 10, 2023
What to do

• A wheel alignment is needed to correct caster and other angles. 
• If caster cannot be adjusted, a mechanic will likely need to diagnose and replace or repair worn or bent suspension components. 

How to tell if caster is off?

Signs Your Caster Angle Is Off
Look for: Vehicle pulling to one side, especially at higher speeds. Uneven steering effort—feels harder to steer in one direction. Steering wheel doesn't automatically return to center.

What causes caster misalignment?

Caster can be off due to physical impacts like hitting a pothole or curb, which can bend suspension components, or from worn-out parts like bushings, ball joints, or tension arms. Additionally, changes in a vehicle's ride height, such as from an overloaded suspension or after a lift kit is installed, can also affect caster.
 
Causes of off-center caster

• Impacts: Hitting large bumps, potholes, or curbs can shift suspension components and knock the alignment out of spec. 
• Worn or damaged parts: Worn-out bushings, ball joints, or control arms can cause parts to shift, leading to incorrect caster. 
• Bent components: Severe impacts can bend parts like the strut shaft or tension arms, directly affecting caster angles. 
• Changes in ride height: A vehicle's caster is sensitive to its height. Overloading, spring sag, or after-market modifications like lift kits can alter the caster reading. 
• Seasonal road changes: Activities like snow plowing or sand/gravel treatments can create minor road deformations that gradually affect alignment. 

How to address it

• A professional alignment check is the first step to determine if caster is out of spec and what is causing it. 
• To correct the issue, a mechanic will inspect and replace any worn or damaged parts. They will then adjust the caster to its correct specification, which may involve using shims or adjusting pivot points. 
• To prevent future issues, drive carefully, avoid potholes, and perform regular maintenance.