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Alignment disaster.

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by glennv, May 24, 2010.

  1. May 24, 2010 at 4:26 PM
    #1
    glennv

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    glennv [OP] Well-Known Member

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    WTF!

    I installed a set of 5100's set to 1.75. Brought it to get aligned and it pulled after they finished. Brought it back and they said they couldn't get the driver's side to caster spec. Camber was .5 and .5 and caster was 3.4 and the driver's side caster was at 2.0. No idea why so I installed a set of LR UCAs and went to get it aligned at the dealer. They called me over to show me the front driver's side cam tabs on the arm were bent flat. Either the last place either overtightened them or they didn't torque it down enough and it turned in the arm and flattened them. Probably the very first time since it wasn't loose today. So today they couldn't do much of anything with it. They didn't want to bend the tabs back since they were afraid they would snap off. They said I'd need to have them bent back the then welded.

    So my camber is ok but my caster is 2.8 and 5.6 on the driver's side! Pulls naturally. I'm heading to the original shop just to let them know what's up and what to expect as far as a bill.

    My question is what do I do now? If I roll the control arm settings back on the driver's side -2 and +2 on the passenger they'll match. Is this a bad idea? Should I have someone try to fix the flattened tabs? Also,will making adjustments to the LR caster settings change the camber?
     
    glennv, May 24, 2010
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  2. May 24, 2010 at 4:28 PM
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    98tacoma27

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    98tacoma27 is going full "SANDWICH" Moderator

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    You're not the first to have this issue, I believe a couple other members had the same problem. I'll see if I can find the thread
     
    98tacoma27, May 24, 2010
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  3. May 24, 2010 at 4:28 PM
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    martie

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    martie mjp2 is living vicariously through me.

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    The cam tabs bending is a common problem. mjp2 had a custom fabricated jobbie to reinforce that area. I'll direct him your way when he gets home.
     
    martie, May 24, 2010
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  4. May 24, 2010 at 4:30 PM
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    martie

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    martie mjp2 is living vicariously through me.

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    martie, May 24, 2010
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  5. May 24, 2010 at 4:40 PM
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    98tacoma27

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    98tacoma27, May 24, 2010
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  6. May 24, 2010 at 4:44 PM
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    98tacoma27

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    98tacoma27, May 24, 2010
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  7. May 24, 2010 at 6:17 PM
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    glennv

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    glennv [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So if I make any adjustments to the caster, via the LR UCA, will it throw the toe and camber off?
     
    glennv, May 24, 2010
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  8. May 25, 2010 at 7:45 AM
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    mjp2

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    mjp2 Living vicariously through myself Moderator

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    Glenny, this should make your day. There's a chance that your alignment cams are frozen in your lower control arms.

    A frozen cam was one of the reasons my alignment cam tabs flattened as the cam would rotate as the suspension cycled. I had to cut the mounting bolts with a sawzall to get the LCAs off the truck.

    Keep us updated on how things are going!
     
    mjp2, May 25, 2010
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  9. May 25, 2010 at 8:54 AM
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    glennv

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    glennv [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Might actually work to my advantage. It's still under warranty. But the truck is only 9 months old so maybe not frozen. I'll have to see Sat when by buddy gets it on the lift.
     
    glennv, May 25, 2010
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  10. May 25, 2010 at 9:02 AM
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    SC4333

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    SC4333 Well-Known Member

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    Not to threadjack or anything, but since it is pertinent to this thread, how are you keeping your alignment cams from freezing up on you again, Mike?

    When I had my truck aligned last, my buddy (the tech) was telling me how he was a little wary of those alignment tabs bending.
     
    SC4333, May 25, 2010
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  11. May 25, 2010 at 9:26 AM
    #11
    mjp2

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    mjp2 Living vicariously through myself Moderator

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    To keep things from freezing, just disassemble everything and lube up the parts. They're dry from the factory for some reason.

    The fix for the alignment tabs is a bit more complicated. Mine were cut off and replaced with 3/8" cold-rolled steel plates custom cut for my application. They're TIG welded to the LCA mounting tabs and MIG welded to the cross-member to reinforce the mount itself.

    IMG_19662_b6bdf429ec2e33e66a35555bd7dc7e410cf440a5.jpg

    IMG_1996_d78fafa259605fad005a99dc50bb12884c8495a3.jpg

    IMG_1995_1945dca49148b74d45ad506c3eb66dfb023ac6cd.jpg

    These are on both the front and rear mounts for each LCA. The stock mounting points are a little too easy to bend and these have proven sturdy even through my kind of offroad stupidity.
     
    mjp2, May 25, 2010
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    JohnGabriel likes this.

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