Quick alignment question

Just got back from the shop where they told me my problem with bump steer, steering wheel not returning to center and wandering is related to the ball joints having to much play. I asked them to adjust the caster and they said they can't on this truck.

The truck has a 3" lift.

Are they right? Can the caster not be adjusted? They said they just don't see anywhere to do it. Thanks.

UPDATE: I got the Light Racing UCA's on and ball joints replaced, both sides are basically right at 3.0 caster. It's definitely better but still no where near good.

I drove my moms 4runner and my tacoma back to back today and WOW the tacoma feels worse than i thought. I've also noticed the further i turn the wheel, the tighter the steering will get. But when it gets back to center it's lose again. It also gets VERY slightly harder to turn the more the wheel is turned. It isn't hard to turn, it just feels tighter.

I also had the steering rack replaced about 10k miles ago.

Ideas?

 

They don't know what they are doing. You can adjust caster easy. The problem is with your lift, there is not much adjustment left, so the caster will remain low and the vehicle may wander on the highway. Bad ball-joints will definitley cause problems, but that may not be your issue. Could be that your caster is just way too low.

 

My fear is that even if I take it to another shop and have them adjust the caster they won't be able to get it in spec and I'll be having to buy a set of UCAs

 

With 3" of lift up front, no they will not be able to get it in spec. But at least they can bring it up so the vehicle will drive better.

 

do you have the print out from the alignment??

 

Not right now, I'll have one later today and post it up.

 

that may help us help you

 

x2 on bad ball joints i had to have mine replaced before it could get my alignment

 

for the same problem? or were you told that you need ball joints
before the alignment could be done??

 

they couldnt even do it because my upper left ball joint was broken so i just put new ones in on both sides and took it back to them now its perfect.

 

theres where im at now...had both lower ball joints replaced

the problem is worse in a different way, will wander inconsistantly but VERY bad...like a huge gust of wind is pushing it

in turns on the highway it will make random sharp adjustments so its no longer safe over 50mph

looks like i may have to get new UCAs

 

thanks for all the help so far

 

I'd say UCA time. That's about as much caster as is possible after that amount of lift. Tires shouldn't wear but it'll be annoying to drive at speed until you get caster up to 2.5 or so. Mine only had 1.2 after going 2.5 and it did suck....until getting UCAs

 

need more caster and he should do a better job on camber
your going to need uca

 

i can hear the tires making noise now, im guessing thats because of the camber?

 

could be

 

anyone have any experience with light racing UCAs?

thinking i dont want to deal with the maintenance of the uniballs and they seem a little cheaper

 

i did a alignment for one of the guys on here he
had them and it was ez to do the alignment and it came
out great

 

ill probably be ordering some later today

they offer enough extra caster to get me back into spec? just double checking before i spend that much money

 

thats the way i would go maybe get them from one of our vendors
on here