Effect of UCA replacement before alignment?

I have a bilstein 5100 lift set at 2.75", with the castor maxed out. It drives fine but the tires are starting to feather so I'd like to get some JBA UCAs. Problem is I dont live anywhere near an alignment shop, so when I replace them I need to know that I can make the 1 hour drive down the highway to the alignment shop. I think all the alignment adjustments happen on the LCAs which I dont need to touch so I think I'll be ok?

The drive to the alignment shop after the original lift was scary, and only a couple blocks at the time. There is no way I could drive down the highway if the UCAs make it that far out of whack again.

 

Changing any components in the front suspension will affect the alignment. Toe in is what will make it drive the worst and wear the tires. You can get it close enough to ball park to go down the road, with a tape measure. Have someone help you. Measure from side to side using the same tread blocks. Measure at the front of the tires and at the back of the tires, as high as possible without hitting the skid plates. Adjust a tie rod til they're equal. I wouldn't drive 1,000 miles like that, but for an hour to the alignment shop, you'll be fine.

 

Sounds like you are a prime candidate to do an alignment at home.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-do-an-alignment-at-home.252256/page-14#post-17255454

 

To clarify, are there any adjustments to be made via UCAs? If not, I can just bolt them on and my driver/passenger sides will be symmetrical enough to drive to the alignment place, as each side will have been affected equally. That is my hope at least. I have life time alignment, just need to get there safely.

 

You're not getting it. Changing ANY component in the front suspension will affect alignment. Changing the UCAs will change caster, camber, and toe. No one can say how much. Better to get the toe close before you drive it more than 1 mile.

 

Thanks captain obvious. I know it will need realignment, and I HAVE to drive 1 hour on the freeway to get it done as there are no other backroads. If all the adjustment happens at the tie rods and LCAs and I dont need to touch them to install the UCAs, its reasonable to assume the new deviations will be about equal between the passenger side and driver side and drivable for an hour. It is the left and right symmetry I am worried about, not a little squirrlyness.

 

Thanks! I may need to give it a shot.

 

Do you really think that since the alignment is changed by adjusting the LCAs and tie rods that swapping the UCAs won't change the toe in and grind off the tires? OK. Go with that.

 

Yes, of course it will change it which is why I know I will need it realigned. But that is not what I am asking.

 

You asked if you could drive it an hour on the highway without adjusting anything. You can, but you may grind 20% off your tires.

 

like stated toe is going to be the biggest chewer of tires.... its also the easiest to sort out as far as alignment goes. Caster does not effect tire wear, and camber (within limits) does not really either.

 

I’d vote to change them and set the toe yourself. Takes 30mins taking your time the first time you do it.

yes you could just drive it to the shop but why risk it?

you could always check the tow, change the UCAs and check the toe and see how much it actually changed.