Alignment Reading

Do I need new UCAs? This was installed:
http://toyteclifts.3dcartstores.com/Ultimate-Tacoma-lift-with-Bilstein-shocks_p_394.html

Regards

Eric

 

If you want your caster to be in spec, yes. Technically you'll be okay with your caster now, just be prepared for a wobbly steering wheel a highways speeds.

 

Looks like all they adjusted was the front toe.

Castor and camber are same delivered as what you brought it in with.

And I always wonder how on a straight rear axle vehicle they can have amber and toe on the back.

I would be curious of the shops work quality.

PK

 

Thanks for the input.

I went ahead and got the LR UCAs

 

That Caster is horrible. Needs to be at a minimum 1.3 degrees positive on both sides. Make them re-do it.

 

That was my point, it appears to me the alignment shop did not even try to align it. There was no change in the castor or camber before or after aligned.

The shop did the easiest thing and cranked the tie rods for 1 minute and brought the toe in correct.

Basically the alignment was a total rip off. The truck may not even need new upper arms, though they probably won't hurt.

PK

 

Thanks for the feedback.

They said that the adjustments were maxed out and could not be changed. They also mentioned that the ball joints are dry/ loose.

They are putting on the new UCAs Friday so I will use this thread and the other alignment threads here to see if it all adds up.

I have heard that this is a reputable place and used to do the lifts for Toyota of Carlsbad.

My truck does have 124k so it really doesn't surprise me.

Regards
Eric

 

For a lifted Taco that's normal. The shop that did my alignment said they couldn't do anything about the Caster. Eventually I'll get some UCA's =/

 

Can anyone give any insight about my alignment numbers? I'm just a little concerned about my right side caster...

Camber: L: -0.61 R: 0.07
Caster: L: 0.15 R: 1.35
Toe: L: 0.10 R: 0.10

These numbers are after I installed my Icons today set to 2"

 

I have now noticed a weird noise from the front left traveling at 45 through 55mph, and no sounds above or below that speed range. It wasn't there before but after the lift, could the alignment shown above cause this?

Regards

Eric

 

It could be the front differential bearing. There's a small needle bearing assy on your driverside, where the half axle slips into the front diff. With a lift, that bearing assembly takes a shit, and starts whirring/pulsing/vibrating.

East coast gear supply sells a bushing to replace the bearing, and kill that noise.

 

Thanks I'll take a look at that. For now they are replacing the axel as it is leaking so I hope that is it!

Regards

Eric

 

^Yea a leaking CV joint can cause the noise too - contaminants getting in.

 

Final after arms

 

^I'm surprised the UCAs did so little, but at least caster and camber are both in tolerance now.

Right side caster is good: positive caster value means the steering axis is leaning back, which enhances the steering self-centering characteristic.

Left side caster is bad. Judging by the camber value, there is probably more room for adjustment in the lower control arm cams.

 

I JUST (no really, JUST!) got home from picking up my truck after having an OME 3" kit w/ Dakars, LR UCAs, OCTaco brake lines and BFG 265/70/17 installed, my alignment numbers are like night and day from OEM to OME. The shop did a phenominal job!! The Caster after the alignment seems high, but from reading on here it will benefit me when I put on 255/85/16, or have I misunderstood?