Caster-Camber Plates
Caster-Camber Plate
The Maximum Motorsports caster-camber plates have a 4-bolt main plate mounting configuration compared to the 3-bolt main plate mounting configuration of the BBK's. For coil-over applications on '94 and newer Stangs, the 4-bolt main plate mounting configuration is essential. As depicted in the picture of the BBK caster camber plates, on '94 and newer Stangs, the upper mounting point of the strut falls outside of a triangle defined by the three main plate mounting bolts.
Due to the coil-over springs exerting their forces on the strut tower via the caster-camber plates, the BBK main plate would be under a significant bending load if used in a coil-over application. Such a bending load would tend to deflect the BBK main plates, which are made from aluminum, leading to loss of front suspension alignment and binding of the struts as the BBK main plates deflect. Furthermore, over time or with a large enough load, the bending load could lead to failure of the BBK main plates.
As depicted in the picture of the Maximum Motorsports caster-camber plate, the upper mounting point of the strut falls within a square defined by the four main plate mounting bolts/studs. Furthermore, the Maximum Motorsports main plates are made of steel. Accordingly, the Maximum Motorsports main plates are not under a bending load and have far greater strength than the BBK aluminum main plates.
Another drawback of the BBK caster-camber plates is the poly bushings used at the upper strut mounting point. The poly bushings do not allow the strut to pivot freely at the upper mounting point. As a result, the piston tube tends to bind as it attempts to pivot, resulting in reduced steering responsiveness and damping performance. In a coil-over application, the loads associated with the coil-over springs combined with the binding associated with the poly bushings could contribute to failure of the caster-camber plates or to breakage of the strut tip.
As I pulled the car out of the garage after installing the Maximum Motorsports caster-camber plates, I noticed immediately that the steering was much lighter than with the BBK caster-camber plates. While driving the car over broken pavement and discontinuities such as expansion joints, I did not notice any harshness or additional road noise as compared to the BBK caster-camber plates. Because the spherical bearings of the Maximum Motorsports caster camber plates exhibits less compliance than the poly bushings of the BBK caster-camber plates, I was prepared for some harshness and additional road noise. To my surprise and delight, all I noticed was that steering felt quicker, lighter and more precise.
Caster-Camber Plate
