Caster is way off on drivers' side from a prior accident?

Tiny
JAY0318
  • MEMBER
  • 2015 FORD TAURUS
  • 3.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 107,000 MILES
I bought the car listed above and the caster is way off on the driver's side from previous owner accident that I did not know about. I changed the axle and control arm on the driver's side and went to get an alignment. I know on these cars the caster isn’t adjustable but what can I do to fix the caster? Can the wheel be pulled back or subframe shifted? It gives a pull when accelerating and wandering at higher speeds. I guess I'm just wondering if there is any way it can be fixed. I have before and after pictures of my alignment.
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Tuesday, April 22nd, 2025 AT 9:02 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,137 POSTS
Yes, the negative camber on the rear and the positive caster will make the car wonder, You will need to have the car on a frame machine to pull it back into spec, or make modifications to the suspension such as making the mounting holes into an oval to get the adjustment out of it you need to be "in spec" There is no other way to fix this kind of problem.
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Wednesday, April 23rd, 2025 AT 10:52 AM
Tiny
JAY0318
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Okay thanks. Which area would the mounting holes have to be in to make the adjustments?
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Thursday, April 24th, 2025 AT 6:07 AM
Tiny
JAY0318
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Would that be making another oval hole to mount the strut to the car?
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Thursday, April 24th, 2025 AT 6:16 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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You can use the same holes but make then oval shape with a rotary file in the direction the adjustment needs to move in.
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Friday, April 25th, 2025 AT 8:51 AM
Tiny
JAY0318
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Do you know of any directions or videos I could watch to see how it’s done?
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Friday, April 25th, 2025 AT 11:14 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Not really, for each car it would be different. If the specs are off too far you will need to put the car on a frame machine to pull it back into alignment.
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Sunday, April 27th, 2025 AT 11:54 AM
Tiny
JAY0318
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Okay thanks.
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Wednesday, May 7th, 2025 AT 2:52 PM

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