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How's my alignment?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by evilbit, Jan 28, 2014.

  1. Jan 28, 2014 at 10:01 AM
    #1
    evilbit

    evilbit [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2013
    Member:
    #100892
    Messages:
    36
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Emir
    SLC, UT
    Vehicle:
    2006 TRD Sport 6spd V6 Access
    Leer 122 shell (high top), 3" OME lift, diff drop kit, Total Chaos UCAs, DeMello hybrid bolt on rock sliders, Pelfreybilt rear bumper with swing-out gate, Pelfreybilt aluminum skid plates (IFS/mid), ARB front bumper w/ custom MLO light pods, Rigid 24" light bar, ARB Air Locker front/back, 4.56 gears, ARB high output compressor with pump-up kit, scuba mod, Smittybilt XRC10 winch with synthetic cable, 255/85/16 BFG MT T/A KM2 on ProComp Rock Crawler Series 87 steelies, Wet Okole seat covers, WeatherTech floor trays, Hypertech Inline Speedo Calibrator, JVC KD-X50BT mechless stereo, LED lights (interior/rear+brake/reverse/front marker)
    Hi,
    Took my 2006 AC TRD Sport (OME lift, 255/85R16) for alignment to Firestone for the first time in the last 2 years. Here's the numbers I got. I feel an ever so slight pull to the left. They also discovered that my caster dial backplate flanges were flattened, which makes adjustments very hard.
    Anyways, I'd appreciate some input on the numbers, as well as possible explanations why the steering pulls left. I only picked it up but it doesn't seem strong enough that I couldn't live with it, especially since the city roads here in SLC have a pronounced crown and roads tilt right.
    [​IMG]
     
  2. Jan 28, 2014 at 1:28 PM
    #2
    scottw1

    scottw1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 7, 2013
    Member:
    #94652
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    First Name:
    Scott
    Norfolk, VA
    Vehicle:
    2010 SR5 Tacoma 4x4
    Lighted 4wd dial, Sirus XM radio
    More toe on the left causes a left pull.

    I'm guessing that you don't have new UCAs after the OME lift that allows them to add more caster into the alignment?
     
  3. Jan 28, 2014 at 1:39 PM
    #3
    BigHeadTaco

    BigHeadTaco GFY

    Joined:
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    Big Head
    Full OME lift 885's with Dakar leaf springs. LR UCA's. ImMrYo relocation bracket.
    Caster is too low
     
  4. Jan 28, 2014 at 6:18 PM
    #4
    evilbit

    evilbit [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2013
    Member:
    #100892
    Messages:
    36
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Emir
    SLC, UT
    Vehicle:
    2006 TRD Sport 6spd V6 Access
    Leer 122 shell (high top), 3" OME lift, diff drop kit, Total Chaos UCAs, DeMello hybrid bolt on rock sliders, Pelfreybilt rear bumper with swing-out gate, Pelfreybilt aluminum skid plates (IFS/mid), ARB front bumper w/ custom MLO light pods, Rigid 24" light bar, ARB Air Locker front/back, 4.56 gears, ARB high output compressor with pump-up kit, scuba mod, Smittybilt XRC10 winch with synthetic cable, 255/85/16 BFG MT T/A KM2 on ProComp Rock Crawler Series 87 steelies, Wet Okole seat covers, WeatherTech floor trays, Hypertech Inline Speedo Calibrator, JVC KD-X50BT mechless stereo, LED lights (interior/rear+brake/reverse/front marker)
    That's correct, I have stock UCAs for now. What UCAs should I get and what should my caster be? How far could I go with stock UCAs? This is an overland rig, not a rock crawler.

    How do I correct the toe?
     
  5. Jan 28, 2014 at 6:20 PM
    #5
    evilbit

    evilbit [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2013
    Member:
    #100892
    Messages:
    36
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Emir
    SLC, UT
    Vehicle:
    2006 TRD Sport 6spd V6 Access
    Leer 122 shell (high top), 3" OME lift, diff drop kit, Total Chaos UCAs, DeMello hybrid bolt on rock sliders, Pelfreybilt rear bumper with swing-out gate, Pelfreybilt aluminum skid plates (IFS/mid), ARB front bumper w/ custom MLO light pods, Rigid 24" light bar, ARB Air Locker front/back, 4.56 gears, ARB high output compressor with pump-up kit, scuba mod, Smittybilt XRC10 winch with synthetic cable, 255/85/16 BFG MT T/A KM2 on ProComp Rock Crawler Series 87 steelies, Wet Okole seat covers, WeatherTech floor trays, Hypertech Inline Speedo Calibrator, JVC KD-X50BT mechless stereo, LED lights (interior/rear+brake/reverse/front marker)
    Driver side caster dial is busted, the flanges on the backplate have been flattened. Dealership says it'll cost me roughly $1000 to replace (more than half that in labor) so I wanna see what's the best I could get without it before I bite the bullet.
     
  6. Jan 28, 2014 at 9:12 PM
    #6
    Taco'09

    Taco'09 Well-Known Member

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    ^^ Your caster is out of whack as already noted and the camber figures are not ideal either. It is going to be very, very difficult to align it with those tabs flattened and not possible if the cam has seized. The bad news is both bushings on that LCA and the cams may need to be replaced and those tabs fixed. The tabs can be fixed by straightening them and then running a weld bead for support or using something else welded there.

    I would also inquire with the tech that attempted this if the right side cams were also seized or whether they got lucky and the numbers were already there.

    FYI, the alignment cams seize because Toyota is too cheap to put a 5 cent dab of antisieze on them. If you replace them use some antiseize.

    There is a DIY here if you feel comfortable about doing it yourself but the bushings and cam stuff are a bit expensive. I've rebuilt a couple of LCAs but don't know if I would do it again. Is kind of a PITA. The ball joint should also be inspected. If I were to do it again I would just buy new LCAs from one of the discounters if the bushings and ball joints also needed replacement.

    Good luck.
     
  7. Jan 29, 2014 at 4:47 AM
    #7
    evilbit

    evilbit [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2013
    Member:
    #100892
    Messages:
    36
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Emir
    SLC, UT
    Vehicle:
    2006 TRD Sport 6spd V6 Access
    Leer 122 shell (high top), 3" OME lift, diff drop kit, Total Chaos UCAs, DeMello hybrid bolt on rock sliders, Pelfreybilt rear bumper with swing-out gate, Pelfreybilt aluminum skid plates (IFS/mid), ARB front bumper w/ custom MLO light pods, Rigid 24" light bar, ARB Air Locker front/back, 4.56 gears, ARB high output compressor with pump-up kit, scuba mod, Smittybilt XRC10 winch with synthetic cable, 255/85/16 BFG MT T/A KM2 on ProComp Rock Crawler Series 87 steelies, Wet Okole seat covers, WeatherTech floor trays, Hypertech Inline Speedo Calibrator, JVC KD-X50BT mechless stereo, LED lights (interior/rear+brake/reverse/front marker)
    Thanks everyone for your replies. Looks like I'll have to get this done to get my ride back. Given that a set of tires runs close to a $1000 installed, it'll pay itself off pretty quickly, I reckon.

    I'm also gonna get Total Chaos UCAs while at it. Could someone guide me as to what other parts are needed to have them installed? I plan on having the work done at the dealership as I don't know anyone else here in SLC I'd trust to do the caster cams work. Any OEM parts they can get, I just wanna make sure I get them all the right parts from get go so my truck isn't sitting in their garage for days.

    edit: gonna go with TC instead of LR as they seem to work out better for most folks and I only wanna do this once.
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2014
  8. Feb 19, 2014 at 11:24 AM
    #8
    evilbit

    evilbit [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2013
    Member:
    #100892
    Messages:
    36
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Emir
    SLC, UT
    Vehicle:
    2006 TRD Sport 6spd V6 Access
    Leer 122 shell (high top), 3" OME lift, diff drop kit, Total Chaos UCAs, DeMello hybrid bolt on rock sliders, Pelfreybilt rear bumper with swing-out gate, Pelfreybilt aluminum skid plates (IFS/mid), ARB front bumper w/ custom MLO light pods, Rigid 24" light bar, ARB Air Locker front/back, 4.56 gears, ARB high output compressor with pump-up kit, scuba mod, Smittybilt XRC10 winch with synthetic cable, 255/85/16 BFG MT T/A KM2 on ProComp Rock Crawler Series 87 steelies, Wet Okole seat covers, WeatherTech floor trays, Hypertech Inline Speedo Calibrator, JVC KD-X50BT mechless stereo, LED lights (interior/rear+brake/reverse/front marker)
    UPDATE: I had the TC UCA's installed, tabs bent back, with a weld bead behind to reinforce (on both driver and passenger side dials). I also had the diff drop installed at the same time to correct the diff-to-CV angle, which could've become even more problematic with new UCAs since they allow greater articulation.
    Anyways, here's the new alignment numbers and I'm pretty pleased as the truck now drives straight, no bump or pull, and it's all back to happyland.

    Thanks once again for all the suggestions, as well as related posts that helped educate me on the matter.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Feb 19, 2014

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