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Weird alignment readings and rear tire wear

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by keith12, May 3, 2023.

  1. May 3, 2023 at 3:25 PM
    #1
    keith12

    keith12 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I've noticed some wear on the inside of both rear tires. The tires have been rotated at least three times, and there is no wear on the front tires, so that suggests to me that this is a new issue.

    Yesterday, I took it into a local off road shop to have it checked. They said the toe was off on the front and they fixed the front end alignment.

    They gave me a copy of the alignment sheet, and I compared it to an alignment I had from the same shop about a year ago, after my new suspension had settled and they adjusted it.

    I compared the two alignment sheets, and noticed that the rear numbers have changed quite a bit and seem to be off quite a bit. I suspect this is the actual cause of my rear tire wear, but I'm not sure what the problem is or what I can do about it. The shop didn't say anything at all about it, and it wasn't until I got home that I noticed it...and basically realized that a front end alignment probably wasn't going to fix uneven tire wear in the rear.

    The alignment sheets are below (the first image is from a year ago, and the second one is from yesterday), along with a photo of the truck setup, which has stage II Deaver leaf springs. Does anyone have any thoughts on what could be causing the excessive wear on the inside of the rear tires or if I can do anything (and what I should do) about these rear alignment numbers?

    A1353420-14BD-43A6-B234-C65DF93820F42022-03-06_18-48-49_646.jpg

    IMG_0442.jpg

    DEK08784.jpg
     
  2. May 3, 2023 at 6:44 PM
    #2
    na8rboy

    na8rboy 18 DCLB Sport Cement

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    How are you doing rotation? Front to back, on as I call it the right way for non directional tires cross fronts to back and bring back str8 foward. As for rear numbers. Most alignment shops truly never put gauges on rear tires. Did you see them physically put gauges/lasers/targets on rear?
     
  3. May 3, 2023 at 7:33 PM
    #3
    keith12

    keith12 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm still under the free oil changes and rotations, so the dealership has done the rotations. And, no, I didn't actually see them put gauges on the rear.
     
  4. May 3, 2023 at 7:37 PM
    #4
    splitbolt

    splitbolt Voodoo Witch Doctor

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    Rear measurements are not ideal, but not bad or unusual. Although, thrust increased a little, it's not substantial and if it were would manifest as one tire wearing on the inside and one wearing on the outside.
    Cross camber didn't change much, but looked off from the get-go...

    What will give you inside tire wear, is the negative toe on the front wheels. You forgetting a tire rotation and might be mistaken it for rear wear?

    Just to give you an idea, here are my rear numbers from my two alignments performed 4/16 and 4/23, respectively.
    Stock suspension...
    Not much changed for me...
    My 2nd alignment front before numbers are off due to new shocks...
    20230503_212554.jpg

    20230503_212644.jpg
     
    keith12[OP] likes this.
  5. May 3, 2023 at 7:37 PM
    #5
    Bishop84

    Bishop84 Well-Known Member

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    Rear axle alignment is fine, well within spec. They mounted the heads on the rear, dont worry about that.

    How heavy is the camper loaded? What PSI are you running?

    The website shows 360 base weight, that seems awfully low.

    The front is the issue, you need upper arms to reduce camber and increase caster
     
    keith12[OP] likes this.
  6. May 4, 2023 at 7:27 AM
    #6
    keith12

    keith12 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I have after market UCAs. I haven’t missed a tire rotation (yet).
     
  7. May 4, 2023 at 8:05 AM
    #7
    drizzoh

    drizzoh itsjdmy0

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    Rear axle is solid and it does not have adjustable alignment. Only thing that could change anything back there realistically are worn/damaged suspension components: bent hangers, worn bushings, etc. Also could be different based on how the heads were attached to the truck. I recommend using alignment shops that use heads that attach to the wheels, not the tires, for the most accurate readings. My guess is they only attached the rears for the machine to read and didn't try to get it perfect since it's nonadjustable anyway. The way the rear is reading, though, leads me to think you took a decent hit on the driver rear which bent the hangers since it's toed out on that side, and in on the passenger.

    That said, the toe on your setup when you brought it in was way off - I'd say definitely the cause of your tire wear. Suspension must have settled a little or weight was added since your last alignment. My alignment guy says the front ends of these trucks are extremely sensitive to ride height changes.

    The new alignment is better, but they could have gotten it more dialed if they messed with the eccentrics. Looks like they only adjusted the tie rods which is lazy IMO.
     
    joba27n and keith12[OP] like this.
  8. May 4, 2023 at 8:10 AM
    #8
    keith12

    keith12 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yeah, I think they rushed it on this alignment. I had it aligned a year ago after I had hoped the new suspension had settled in, but you’re probably right that it just settled more.

    Nothing feels weird now, so hopefully that does fix the west problem.
     
  9. May 4, 2023 at 8:11 AM
    #9
    joba27n

    joba27n YotaWerx Authorized tuner

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    I agree as an alignment tech the suspension settled and so throw off your toe. The inside wear was from the front and just noticed now that it's on the rear. The rear toe number is just from the tech rolling the vehicle from that corner as he should unless the machine was setup for otherwise. Stay on top your rotations which ideally is fronts crossed to the rear and rears straight forward unless they are directional and you'll be fine now
     
    keith12[OP] and drizzoh[QUOTED] like this.
  10. May 4, 2023 at 8:32 AM
    #10
    Sungod

    Sungod Well-Known Member

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    Post pictures of the excessive wear. As others have stated, your alignment is fine. If anything you would have seen outside edge wear on the front from the positive toe.
     
  11. May 4, 2023 at 8:51 AM
    #11
    keith12

    keith12 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I think this is the most likely explanation.
     

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