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Alignment

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by noah_sobel, Jul 17, 2025 at 7:21 PM.

  1. Jul 17, 2025 at 7:21 PM
    #1
    noah_sobel

    noah_sobel [OP] Well-Known Member

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    IMG_6647.jpg Here’s a picture of my alignment of my stock TRD pro. Something is off the steering wheel jerks around left and right in my hands going over cracked pavement at slow speeds. Shouldn’t be doing that on an off roading vehicle like a trd pro. Oddly enough the steering is fine going over speed bumps and at high speeds. Truck also pulls to the right on the highway IMG_6647.jpg
     
  2. Jul 17, 2025 at 7:22 PM
    #2
    noah_sobel

    noah_sobel [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Thinking it might be the caster
     
  3. Jul 17, 2025 at 7:25 PM
    #3
    Bishop84

    Bishop84 Well-Known Member

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    The alignment is pretty good, a bit of dog tracking from the rear but nothing serious.

    Have rotated the tires? Ideally side to side.
     
  4. Jul 17, 2025 at 7:28 PM
    #4
    noah_sobel

    noah_sobel [OP] Well-Known Member

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    No I haven’t. Would that affect the steering jerking side to side at slow speeds?
     
  5. Jul 17, 2025 at 7:33 PM
    #5
    Vlady

    Vlady Well-Known Member

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    Search shows that you bought an used track with some suspension issues. Did you correct those?
     
    Chew likes this.
  6. Jul 17, 2025 at 7:37 PM
    #6
    noah_sobel

    noah_sobel [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ya the bushing on the struts were blown out so I swapped them for fresh ones. Picture shows before and after.

    IMG_4453.jpg
    76905345868__E09BFAF2-D646-4472-BDF3-5E4DB2B8F467.jpg
     
  7. Jul 17, 2025 at 7:39 PM
    #7
    Sasquatchian

    Sasquatchian Well-Known Member

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    Did they charge you for that? It looks like they only hit the toe. I just had my stock truck aligned two weeks ago when I got new tires and we were able to get +3.1 on the passenger side and +2.8 on the driver's side for caster, which really helps it drive in a straight line as well as -.2 for both sides with camber.

    I would go back and have them re-do it and start with the caster on the right first, max that out and then set the left side approx. .3-.4 less and also have them set the camber the same on both sides, shooting fora neutral if possible.
     
  8. Jul 17, 2025 at 7:43 PM
    #8
    Vlady

    Vlady Well-Known Member

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    Any play in ball joints? To rip those bushings requires some effort
     
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2025 at 8:22 PM
  9. Jul 17, 2025 at 7:44 PM
    #9
    noah_sobel

    noah_sobel [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Yep they charged me for it I have a warranty to go back tho. I might take it to a different place to get an alignment thought because I plan on getting a wescott lift kit and 33”s on the truck
     
  10. Jul 17, 2025 at 7:45 PM
    #10
    noah_sobel

    noah_sobel [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Some places say there’s play on the lbjs and some don’t notice anything. Would that affect my steering jerking around going like 10 mph?
     
  11. Jul 17, 2025 at 7:49 PM
    #11
    TheWildMan

    TheWildMan Well-Known Member

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    Scrubbed some tires, and knocked a dent out.
    Side to side because of the dog walking I presume?
     
  12. Jul 17, 2025 at 7:51 PM
    #12
    Vlady

    Vlady Well-Known Member

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    Alignment wont affect slow speed wheel jerking.
    Good start with low control arms. Just replace them. Probably bushing are gone on them
     
  13. Jul 18, 2025 at 7:59 AM
    #13
    noah_sobel

    noah_sobel [OP] Well-Known Member

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  14. Jul 18, 2025 at 8:27 AM
    #14
    drizzoh

    drizzoh itsjdmy0

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    Annoying asf to me that this is all most shops do and it is NOT the way to align these trucks.

    OP find a better alignment shop that knows how to do Tacoma's.
     
  15. Jul 18, 2025 at 9:27 AM
    #15
    Vlady

    Vlady Well-Known Member

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  16. Jul 18, 2025 at 10:07 AM
    #16
    noah_sobel

    noah_sobel [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I’m not sure what to look for. I’ve brought it in and no one can diagnose what it is. I’ve heard I need to replace the rack and pinion, I’ve heard it just the rack bushings, I’ve heard it might be the outter tie rods. Not sure what to do
     
  17. Jul 18, 2025 at 11:01 AM
    #17
    Vlady

    Vlady Well-Known Member

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    I would try to replicate while the front on and off the ground. Have someone turn the steering wheel slowly while checking lower control arms movements - front and back bushings, ball joint and tie rods end area.
     
  18. Jul 18, 2025 at 11:21 AM
    #18
    Sungod

    Sungod Well-Known Member

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    St Augustine
    or a lot of air. Alignment is the least of the OPs concern although I am shocked to see it look as good as it does with that much damage.
     
  19. Jul 18, 2025 at 12:19 PM
    #19
    STEELeR43

    STEELeR43 Well-Known Member

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    3" Icon Lift, SPC UCA, B&M Sport Shifter, OTT Tune
    You said TRD Pro, but top of alignment writes 2020 SR5. Is it typo?
     
  20. Jul 18, 2025 at 12:23 PM
    #20
    drizzoh

    drizzoh itsjdmy0

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    Most shops align to spec based on a profile that their machine generates. They likely just picked whatever option since they should all be about the same.
     

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