Rear axle alignment

Hello Forum,

I have an '08 DCSB 4.0 with the following suspension:

Billstein (4) with front @ 1.75 @ 1/4" toytec taco lean spacer on left front.
Rear OEM 3/1 leafs from a 2012 Sport & Wheelers 3 leaf AAL with factory Oveload leaf left in the pack.

RIDE HEIGHT (hub to fender)
LF 22.25 RF 22.25
LR 24.25 RR 24.25

What I have noticed ever since is that the right rear tire protrudes out about a 1/2" more than the left rear. I had several people drive behind me to see if the car is "dog tracking" (I believe thats the common term for it) & only 1 mechanic noticed it but it is so slight that he only noticed because I told him to look for it. I had someone drive my truck while I drive another vehicle & noticed it. It is very, very slight but it's there.

I get my truck aligned and the print out showed specs for the rear:
MIN 11.2 - MAX 12.7.
Left:: 12.3 / Right: 13.9

Obviously, I am out of range.

1)
Is there a way for me to have this corrected besides buying a new leaf pack?

2)
Is there even a guarantee that a new leaf pack will correct this?

3)
Am I making a big thing out of anything?

I appreciate any info or experiences you may have with this.

Check out the pics:


http://s1056.photobucket.com/user/TACRUN1/media/image-18.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

http://s1056.photobucket.com/user/TACRUN1/media/image-17.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1

http://s1056.photobucket.com/user/TACRUN1/media/image-16.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2

http://s1056.photobucket.com/user/TACRUN1/media/image-14.jpg.html?sort=3&o=4

http://s1056.photobucket.com/user/TACRUN1/media/image-15.jpg.html?sort=3&o=3

http://s1056.photobucket.com/user/TACRUN1/media/image-12.jpg.html?sort=3&o=6

http://s1056.photobucket.com/user/TACRUN1/media/image-13.jpg.html?sort=3&o=5

 

Has it been wrecked?

David

 

Really don't need two threads on the exact same thing.

Matt

 

MGMTacoFF, I just did that to see if you were paying attention.

David,
No, it hasn't. I noticed it right after I upgraded from my original 2/1 leafs to my current set-up. I have to assume it's the springs but it's pretty odd, or ateleast I think so.

 

Post your alignment sheet, what's your thrust angle?

What spec in the rear are you quoting?

 

I will once I get home.

 

Well since there is two threads and this one will get seen way more often...

If you click the "direct link" on photobucket, it automatically copies it and to post it on TW, click "Insert Image" tab and paste the copied link. That way it shows up like this...

















There is a way to fix this, pretty cheaply too.

You see how this shackle perch has 3 holes in it 1" apart?



If you cut a piece of steel in the exact shape of your shackle perch (just the top, a flat piece of rectangle steel) and drill the holes out to perfectly match the otherside, this will fix your problem. Super simple and cheap. I believe there is a pre-made one you can buy, just not sure who sells it. I'm sure someone else will chime in.

 

This same thing is happening to mine..... The right side sticks out more and one side is closer to the mudflaps than the other. My alignment guy said that it was no problem. He is the best in the area, yet if it does not look normal, there must be a problem, imo.

 

From what I see (if I'm right) it looks like your about 1/2-3/4" out of forward alignment, when you did the AAL did you get leafpacks switched by accident ? Even tho' 2nd gens aren't really considered "side specific" They are marked "L" & "R", I've done some with & without these marks, for some it made no difference for others it did, but the difference was in ride height not mis alignment. Was it a fight to get them into the front hangers, a slightly bent hanger could possibly do this, but you'd probably notice the hanger if it was, about the only other thing that comes to mind would be a (God forbid) bent frame, thats about all I got without seeing the truck itself...

Who's Doug ??

 

Daves not here, but I'll let him know you asked...

 

Just a thought here, but have you made sure that the bed itself is 100% square with the frame, and that the frame is squared? Even the slightest bed misalignment can make it look like your axle is off. Just throwing out some other things to look at.

 

This is also an excellent suggestion, unless you KNOW it wasn't like this before your AAL.. Even then you gotta look at everything, what about the flairs ? They may be off on alignment, kinda deceptive

 

Thanks for the responses guys. For comparison purposes I fit a small spray can between the left rear tire & the frame and then placed it between the right rear tire & frame and there is a difference so that eliminates the bed factor. I had no problems at all installing the AAL & the original springs didn't do this.

Again, I appreciate you all taking the time to respond. I was about to PM Doug but here he is! I wonder if one of the leaf packs is bent? Is that even possible?

 

No worries! Like they say, anyone can be a Monday morning quarterback when we see pictures. lol.

 

I have this issue. I thought after I did my leafs I was not square too. I did find my bed was not square.

And I hate to say it but another Dave is here. Sorry for that whole confusion in your thread Doug. I Dave referred Rob to a post in your thread Doug causing that whole confusion.

 

Dude what is your thrust angle?

 

This time yes. In Doug's thread I was not sure. Just felt the need to confess.

TAC1 not sure if this is right but take a measuring tape and measure from center of hubs front to back on each side. Is there a difference?

 

I would start with loosening everything and see if you can get it to square up before assuming there's a bad spring or using spacers and gizmos to compensate.