SPC alignment issues!!!

OP How is you alignment now? You get it resolved?

 

SPC makes a thrust plate kit.
Thrust shouldn't be more than 0.25...
If it's really excessive, the thrust plate will only address a symptom of a greater problem.
If you guys are getting alignments with no thrust measurements, how can they do a thrust angle compensation with toe?

 

Not resolved.
The service lady was super nice about it. She said come back anytime...just give me a 20 min heads up. We can do whatever you want...if you want to watch over the guys while they tweak it to your liking. I told her I do not need to watch over them...just need it fixed.
Steering is off center and I told her I believe the toe is set to high.
I live about an hour away from the dealer. She offered to have someone pick it up and return it.
No thanks lol nobody drives my truck but me! Lol
I will go back this week and hopefully straighten it out.(hardy har)
I was just trying to get an idea of what needs adjusting as obviously they dont have a fkn clue and I am far from a tech.

 

Sorry you don't like logic and facts

 

Considering your change in wheels and tires added 1" of positive scrub, +0.13 toe, is not as excessive as you might think. Factory spec is +0.05...

Since your toe is equal, it's the rear thrust inducing the off center steering wheel.

 

This was not going from stock. This was from when they started and finished.
How does one change rear thrust?
Please enlighten me on solutions.
Cheers

 

I understand that...doesn't change the fact it could use a bit more toe than a stock truck would.

I mentioned it in a earlier post...
If rear thrust is excessive, the thrust plate may be just addressing a symptom. Beat it back if possible...

 

+.25 is excessive because it will only go further positive.

As for the thrust angle, it is pretty irrelevant because you can't adjust your thrust angle. You have a fixed rear axle and when you are adjusting, you adjust the front to match the rear. You don't adjust the front then adjust the rear. Hell, you don't even do that then you have an adjustable rear. What you are thinking is technically correct, but it is working in reverse and not the way it is done.

 

I'm not saying it can't be done, but what you are talking about is the most shade tree of methods. Greasing up a couple of vinyl squares isn't exactly the same as ball bearing turn plates with scales. I mean I guess you could super glue a protractor to your vinyl, but the point is that you are putting so much extra effort into doing something that technology and automation can make so much easier and so much more accurate. Then after you waste half a day, you still go to the place to check your work. Seems kind of silly, but what do I know?

 

sounds like Skynet, bro. you working for them

 

I know this...see post #22.

SPC makes an adjustable thrust plate...see video in post #27.

 

Yeah, but there is zero point in getting it. It is a total waste of time and money. You are introducing another point of failure that is completely unnecessary unless you have been in an accident and have parts that are bent.

 

No, just someone that isn't stuck in the roaring 20s when it comes to technology. I don't have time to waste on doing manual tasks. There is a reason we invent tools and continue to improve them. I believe in the right tool for the right job. I could cut lumber with a handsaw, but a powersaw does the job much quicker with much more precision.

Now I do appreciate the science behind the math. Getting out your protractor and your slide rule out forces you to understand what you are doing. Once you understand it, it makes no sense to do things that a machine can do much quicker and much more accurate. Not to mention I don't have time to bother with a bottle jack and cleaning axle grease off my garage floor. Make sense, bro?

 

Mine was a joke hence the terminator reference but thanks for the long winded explanation

 

I have only gone to check for free after the first two times to verify the methods are sound. After that I do my alignment and save the 50-100 bucks you would normally pay.

The turn plates are simply there to allow easy turning without moving. You can get super complicated by measuring angle but realistically 1.25 turns of the wheel +- from center nets you what you need to calculate caster.

The machines at alignment places are only as good as they are setup on the vehicle... And I can guarantee you most places the tech is rushed and has a piss poor understanding of how to do a proper alignment. Ever had the techs freak out with Aftermarket suspension components. Case n point.

 

Sounds like you got the money to burn and trust everyone to touch your truck. You do you, but don't say it can't be done at home.

 

No, actually the opposite. Time is money and what you are doing at home is not the same as using the proper tools. There is no way you are as precise with your shade tree method nor are you as quick. If you are satisfied with close and have the time to waste, good on you, but don't think for a second that you are getting the same results as you would with the right tool. I can be done with the complete alignment before you even get your truck on jack stands.

Humor me and tell me how you are measuring the following -

Thrust Angle
SAI
Included Angle
Cross Camber
Cross Caster
Cross SAI
Total Toe
Rear Camber
Rear Toe
Rear Cross Camber
Rear Total Toe

I mean seriously that is a lot of math, but I would really love to know your shade tree method for thrust angle.

You are right, alignments should be done at home. They are so easy.

 

Anything in the ass end of the truck is not adjustable (for all intents and purposes) so your point is mute there. (That includes, Rear Camber, Rear Toe, Rear Cross Camber, Rear Total Toe, Thrust Angle)

Included Angle is simply caster + SAI... But really that along with cross camber, cross caster sai/cross sai is mute (if you have problems with this you have problems with bent components)

Again, all those figures are essentially mute.


Yes. ABSOLUTELY it will take longer than a tech with a fancy laser system to get MEASUREMENTS. BUT will the alignment be better? Likely not. Just do a search of how many people on the forums here come back with alignment spec pages where they spent 50+$ and MIGHT of gotten some sort of toe and go that got them close. There is nothing wrong with familiarizing yourself with your vehicle and every aspect of keeping it on the road. Also there is the peace of mind that things are properly tight....

You do you. But again, DONT tell the OP ITS IMPOSSIBLE to do an alignment at home with many do it with positive results backed up by fancy laser machines.

 

man my thrust is -1.05 lol

 

Lol it’s not exactly rocket science