Will low caster angles wear tires/parts?

I am still having alignment issues and paid another visit to my alignment shop and explained again that the caster likely needs to be adjusted to at least 2 degrees to get rid of the jerking to the right on bumps and uneven road surfaces. They said "sure we can try it but it might make it worse and then what are you going to do?" and they would have to start from scratch. They said I'd also be charged again because where its lifted, its not their problem as they aligned it to factory specs which is all they could do. Whether it is my problem or not has arguments on both sides...mine being I went for an alignment and it's still not right.

Anywho, there's a shop across town that the 4x4 hardcores go to for their alignments but I'm not sure when I can get there. Is it ok to drive like that for awhile? ie, will it wear the tires quicker or parts? My understanding is it won't wear tires but I guess it could put increased strain on the steering?

Thanks again

 

no tires will not were out faster,your fine
here is what i see for you ,1st choice get light racing UCAs #2 lower your 5100s to 1.75 ,that way you will have more caster adj.available,
your stock arms ,with 2.5 inch of lift will not allow you to get 0 toe 0 camber.an 2.6 caster
now on caster ,caster controls how the truck tracks at high speeds[wondering]
also Ive had 3 alignments done were one tech would say higher camber on driver side,other says higher on passenger side,[those pulled one way or another]
now my last time i set both at 2.8 best alignment by far[screw aligning for road crown]
the problem is there is a huge range in the factory alingment specs
get the arms,an request those numbers,they can be reached
arms can be bought for under $400

 

Caster is not a tire wearing angle. Camber and Toe cause tire wear problems. Caster issues cause handling problems, wandering and darty are the most prolific. A caster difference will cause a pull to the least positive side. Therefore, it can wear parts out faster. Significant caster issues will also cause weight transfer issues that can overwork shocks and give the driver a false sense of steering.

 

^That.

Did the shop give you the print out for your alignment?? What were the specs they got you to?? (Mainly I have a hard time believing they are even back to stock...but I'd like to see them.)

 

I'd maybe look for a different shop. In my performance car forums I know there's shops that won't touch a lowered car or won't dial in the numbers you ask for or won't tell you anything beyond that they got factory specs or whatever. You're the customer, they work for you.

If you look at a street bike and a big chopper from the side the fork angle going to be the caster (of course it's not quite that simple but it's a truck forum, not a motorbike forum). More caster will result in better straight line cruise, better self centering after a corner and slower steering response, turn in and dartiness, less caster does the opposite. Shouldn't affect tire wear unless it's way out.

Toe is the biggest alignment related tire wrecker, with camber behind.

 

Here's the report

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...lling-right-since-tires-lift.html#post2264582

And yes, this shop said all they can do it align to factory specs. This guy has 22 years of experience...one would figure he'd say to himself...this truck will need more caster now to keep it straight.

Like I said there's another shop across the city that all the 4x4ing crowd here go to and swear by. And these fellas have extreme mods to their rigs. I didn't know about this until it was too late.

Even if they can get my caster up to 2, it would probably help a bunch

 

noob quesiton.

Will adjusting the caster give the front end a little lift?

After installing 3" lift on my truck I've noticed the rear is a little higher.

 

No. What lift did you get?

 

I get my Eibachs and 5100's adjusted to .85 on Tuesday with new Light Racing UCA'S. What should I give the alignment tech for alignment numbers?

 

is because the aal's are new and i should just wait till they settle?

 

up we go.

 

If you had set the 5100s to 1.75 it would have likely leveled the truck.

You can't walk in with alignment numbers. They have to either get it close to stock as possible or the real pros will align using experience keeping in mind lift and tire/rim size.