Ford Mustangs - How To Install Caster/Camber Plates

Steeda three-bolt caster/camber plates for '94-'04 Mustangs, part number 555-8094-3, incorporate two separate plates: a lower plate with studs and a top plate with two pairs of slots, providing adjustable caster. Made from nickel-plated construction with a serviceable strut bearing, the Steeda plates are direct replacements for the factory ones, which don't provide caster adjustment or a large range for camber settings.

Because '94-'04 Mustangs from the factory look as though they're riding on stilts, one of the most popular modifications for these Fox-body 'Stangs is dropping the stance with lowering springs. It's a great mod, and it provides the extra benefit of improved handling, especially in conjunction with performance struts and shocks. In fact, it's highly recommended to replace the factory struts and shocks with performance versions, such as Tokicos-otherwise, the suspension can bottom-out on highway dips and bumps.

Another recommended modification is aftermarket caster/camber plates. Lowering a Mustang changes the suspension geometry beyond the adjustment capabilities of the factory strut plates, which don't allow caster adjustments at all. Without proper alignment, you can expect accelerated tire wear and less than optimum handling. The answer is performance caster/camber plates, as offered in several configurations from Steeda Autosports.

Steeda's three-bolt caster/camber plates provide adjustment for proper front tire alignment with lowering springs. Two sets of slots are provided: shorter slots for normal street use and best tire wear, and longer slots for more aggressive alignment settings for autocrossing and open-track events. Steeda also offers a new and patented four-bolt plate for truly independent caster and camber adjustments.

In a different twist on our usual installation at a professional shop, this time the caster/camber plates were installed on my son's '02 Mustang GT in the home garage. Matt had previously installed Steeda lowering springs and Tokico struts/shocks, only to experience accelerated front-tire wear because of the inability to align the frontend within specifications. With the help of his buddy Jeff Johnson, along with Matt's air compressor and a borrowed impact gun for removing the strut nuts, we had the Steeda caster/camber plates on the car within 45 minutes. The local tire technician was thrilled to see adjustable caster/ camber plates when we delivered the car for its alignment, and Matt is happy to know that his new Nitto NT-555 Extreme tires, also acquired from Steeda, will last much longer now.

To accommodate a number of scenarios for strut length and vehicle ride height, the Steeda caster/camber plates come with two sizes of strut bushings and a strut spacer (left). On a car with Steeda springs and Tokico struts, the spacers and short bushings go on top, with the long bushings underneath the caster/camber plates. The Steeda instructions show how these bushings and spacers can be varied for different spring/strut combinations.	Remove the two nuts and one bolt that secure the factory alignment plate.	Installation of the Steeda caster/camber plates begins by placing the car on jackstands and removing the front wheels, then supporting the lower control arm with a floor jack. Raise the arm just enough to take the weight off the strut.
Removing the top strut nut requires the services of an impact gun. Since the nut is torqued to 90 lb-ft, it's almost impossible to loosen any other way because turning the nut also turns the strut.	Detach the large top washer and rubber bushing from the strut.	Now the original alignment plate can be taken off the strut tower. In some cases, a rivet or two from the factory may be holding the plates in place. Remove the rivets with a drill or chisel.
Carefully lower the control arm with the jack until there is enough room to remove the bottom plate, as well as the factory bushing mount and studs. Don't lower it too far or the spring could come out. To gain clearance, push down on the strut until the rod is below the strut tower.	Begin the assembly of the Steeda caster/ camber plates by deciding which combination of strut bushings and spacers you need for your spring/struts and ride height, as outlined in the Steeda instructions. Our '02 GT has Steeda springs and Tokico struts, so we used the long bushing on the bottom-which is shown here going onto the strut-and the short bushing and spacer on top.	Guide the lower plate into position from under the strut tower. It helps to have someone on top to slide the studs through the holes in the tower. Loosely install the nuts to hold the plate in position.
With the Steeda caster/camber plates and a perfect frontend alignment, Matt can expect improved handling and long tread life for his new Nitto NT-555 Extreme tires from Steeda.	Install the top bushing and spacer, and secure the strut with the top nut. Recommended torque is 56-90 lb-ft. Now you can lower the floor jack and move to the other side.