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Multiple alignment shops showing different specs

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Lthompson, Jan 8, 2022.

  1. Jan 8, 2022 at 10:22 AM
    #1
    Lthompson

    Lthompson [OP] Well-Known Member

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    How do you get a proper alignment when you go to multiple shops and they all show different specs.. I had an alignment at one shop, and they gave me certain specs, went to another shop, and what they showed were different than what supposedly came out of the previous alignment. Then i got suspension stuff.. had an alignment and told them what i wanted for caster settings.. supposedly they got around 3.5... But i was getting some tire wear over time, so i took it somewhere else, and they said it had aggressive toe in.. and they maxed out the caster and could only get like 3 degrees caster.. How can it be maxed at 3 when i have UCAs with caster built in.. Now it also seems to road walk a little more than before.. but i dont know if that was why it was toed in previously, to prevent some of that, or if the new supposed lesser caster caused it. it doesnt make sense to go to three different shops and they all say something different. Its irritating. I can visually see that my lower control arm cams on both sides seem to be maxed.. whereas previously they werent.. so how does that give me LESS caster?
     
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  2. Jan 8, 2022 at 10:50 AM
    #2
    jeminyned

    jeminyned Well-Known Member

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    Maybe what these guys told me will help you: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/is-it-bump-steer.750542/
     
  3. Jan 8, 2022 at 12:55 PM
    #3
    b_r_o

    b_r_o Gnar doggy

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    Post up pics of your alignment printouts and pics of your lower cam bolts
     
  4. Jan 8, 2022 at 1:02 PM
    #4
    Clearwater Bill

    Clearwater Bill Never answer an anonymous letter

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    Are any of the places you've gone specialty shops, or are the all big box tire stores?

    If you can find the shops that do autocross cars or specialize in trucks you might have better luck
     
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  5. Jan 8, 2022 at 6:29 PM
    #5
    joeyv141

    joeyv141 Well-Known Member

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    Agree with Bill above.
    If you have a lift its worth finding a good offroad shop to do alignments or find out who they recommend for alignments. Dealers, Firestone, Tires Plus, ect will use factory specs based off a stock vehicle.
     
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  6. Jan 8, 2022 at 11:55 PM
    #6
    TacoTuesday1

    TacoTuesday1 Well-Known Member

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    I mean you have caster, camber, and toe

    Does the tech know that when adjusting caster, they have to perform a steering wheel sweep for the machine to re-read what it changed to
    or no...
     
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  7. Jan 9, 2022 at 11:45 AM
    #7
    jeminyned

    jeminyned Well-Known Member

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    It was a local Tire shop that did the lift and advertise that they do lifts also, they do have high tech equipment and maybe I should take it back to them and tell them the problem to see if they can correct it. The 4x4 shops I know of don't have their own alignment equipment but I do know a couple of places that do their work for them so I may have to check into that. I'm not sure which to do first! I'll figure something out! Thanks Guys!!
     
  8. Jan 9, 2022 at 11:59 AM
    #8
    Lthompson

    Lthompson [OP] Well-Known Member

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    i had a 4x4 shop install the lift, and ive been to two different tire shops for. Supposedly the last one couldnt get more than 3 and still keep camber within spec. ive told them i want as much caster as i can get with camber still in spec. And they cant get more than 3, even with Icon UCAs. i dont know if i still have the printout.
     
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