AAL Installed - Rear Axle Alignment Issues

I recently installed the ToyTec/Deaver 1.5" TSB AAL on the truck (as well as the OME front suspension), and have been having issues with the alignment. I got the truck aligned once, and my steering wheel was way off to the right. I got it aligned again, and the shop that did it the second time said that the first shop was way off, and that they had fixed it. Well, the steering wheel was still a bit off to the right. I dropped it off to the same shop again to fix it, and apparently after three attempts they looked at the rear axle and found that it was not straight.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to pick the truck up before they closed (I was in a movie), so they left the print out in my truck with note explaining that with the truck having less than 6k miles on it, I should bring it back to Toyota to be fixed (I'm not sure that they were aware that I installed an AAL). The note explained that my truck was "Dog Tracking" down the road, and that my axle was turned to the left.

Below are the before and after alignment readouts:
Before Rear:
Cross Camber: 0*
Total Toe: -.05*
Thrust Angle: .13*

After Rear:
Cross Camber LR: .3*
Cross Camber RR: -.9*
Toe LR: .62*
Toe RR: -.53*
Total Toe: .09*
Thrust Angle: .57*

So, I went home and quickly measured the distance from my U bolts to several different spots on the frame. The right side of the axle seems to be maaaaybe just 1/16th of an inch further forward than the left side.

From my research last night, it sounds like there's some play in the centering pin when when attaching the axles to the leaf springs, and I might just be able to loosen my U-Bolts, push the axle the correct direction, and tighten my U-Blots. Again, not knowing what those numbers mean, is my axle WAY too far off to do this? Which way do I want to push the axle?

I don't know what else it could be, because the AAL's were symmetrical, so I couldn't have installed them backwards.

My other option is to take it to the dealership, tell them I'll pay for the alignment, and hope that they fix the rear axle. But, I'm afraid that they're going to tell me to pound sand because of the AAL.

What should I do? Thanks in advance for you help!

 

You are right your axle is turned to the right not left. I would loosen the U-bolts and see what you could do to straighten it. .62* doesn't seem like much to me.

 

You cant adjust the toe on the rear of leaf sprung trucks and the center pin should be snug. Regardless, I dont think the rear is off enough to explain why they cant get your front end aligned.

 

In my searching, I read several times that people had some play with their center pin and were able to straighten it out. My rear end is only off by about half an inch - so not much at all. If I can't adjust it, how did it become crooked when it wasn't crooked before, and how do I fix that?

 

X2 the centering pins should be pretty snug. Did you tighten the U bolts while the truck was still in the air after installing the AAL? If so this could have thrown it off a bit. I would loosen all the U bolts some while the truck on the ground, shake the bed a bit to get everything to settle and re-tighten. Drive it around the block and check the U bolts again.
The quick measurement you took has some variables in it. I would try to find a point from the axle to the frame that you can reference on both sides and measure from there.
Good Luck!

 

I did tighten the U bolts while the truck was still in the air after installing the AAL. I tightened them down to a bit over 70 lbs. So you're saying not to lift it back up and try to push the axle, but rather loosen the bolts while it's on the ground, shake it around, take 'er for a spin, and check again? Certainly would be the easier option.

Also, FWIW, the readouts from the first shop that did the alignment and the first time the second shop did the alignment show the rear off, but only by .3* or so. Not the latest .6*.

I'm half way tempted to do my best to fix it and then take it to the dealership for another alignment.

 

Yeah it certainly isn't the engineering way to go about solving it but has worked me every time. All the moving lines (axle line, drive shaft line, shock lines, and both leaf spring lines) work themselves out and even out the axle. The fact you mention the change in degrees between the two alignments also leads me to thinking the U bolts were not tight enough and the axle is moving around a bit. I do not know the torque specs for U bolts but IMO you really need to crank them down tight.

 

The torque spec is 37 lbs. I put the impact wrench on there and let it eat until it wouldn't go anymore .

I'll give that a shot. I might need to look into getting new U Bolts, too. I know you shouldn't reuse them, but mine didn't even have 6k miles on them!

 

Yeah maybe not that tight but certainly more then 37lbs. Of course that's just my opinion and I am running an All Pro U Bolt flip kit so its a bit different with those.

 

The specs are about 90ft lb's i think. Measure length from axle to a frame point under truck, the square from axle to a frame point to tell how far its out. Then do the above as stated and re check. See if squares up. I think the 37ft lb spec was a typo that has been discussed hon here before by the way.

 

did you buy the shims for your AAL, my shims from toytec had 4 leaf clover hole to align with. I do not think your spring perches would be off, but like others said loosen your ubolts and shake it around. the only other thing is the spring centering bolt is a different diameter.

 

Was your alignment straight before the lift? You shouldn't be able to see a gap between the leaf and axle. It should seat pretty flush. I would recheck the centering pin and make sure you got centered in correctly. Also the alignment shop that you took it to probally don't know how to align it right. Take it to a shop that does lifts.

 

I know it's been discussed in great depth that Toyota was way off the mark when they spec'ed the 37 lbs torque.

Good call. I was planning on measuring hub to hub, but to the frame will be a much more accurate measurement..

I didn't buy any shims for the AAL. Just slid it between the overload leaf and the other two OEM's as per the instructions.

My alignment was straight before the lift. I don't see a gap there, but I will go double check everything and make sure all the U Bolts are tight. I might just have to find a better shop as well. Nothing like paying twice!

 

Assuming you got the correct center pins they should be snug especially on a new truck where the hole shouldn't possibly be elongated. Even if you installed a smaller diameter center pin you might only have 1/16 to 1/8 movement on either side if that.

There are instances where the toe is slightly off from the factory but are more less within spec. After rechecking all the bolts, I would have someone drive behind you and see if they can notice any dog tracking.

While driving do you feel it tracking straight, does the steering wheel return to center on its own?

 

It drives straight, and the steering wheel does return to "center" after I turn. I'ts just off center to the left now a little bit.

 

Yes, you can adjust the rear toe to some extent. If you loosen the u-bolts, there is a little bit of 'play' where the centering pin inserts into the axle. If you're rear isn't tracking straight, you can use that little bit of play to make both rear tires face straight ahead.

Torque spec for the u-bolts is in the high 80's and they should be properly torqued (meaning evenly, not just put the impact and 'let her eat').

 

What would you do to get it straight? Loosen and jiggle or would you get it in the air and try and move it yourself?

 

I'd get a couple jack stands under the frame (tires don't have to be off the ground, just unweighted), loosen the u-bolts and give the proper side a shove in the right direction. There's not much play but remember you're only talking about .5*.

 

Thanks for the input!

 

No problem, good luck