Upper Control Arms

The SAI (steering axis inclination) is a non adjustable, fixed angle designed into the suspension. SAI out of spec may be caused by damaged susp components. The SAI on this alignment is within specs. I work at an auto repair facility and we do a lot of alignments from dropped to lifted vehicles.

 

I'll third this, I got 3" of lift and the only thing I can notice is possibly a bit of positive camber. Tire wear isn't uneven tho, I'll be replacing my uca's but only so I can get more down travel. Alignment isn't an issue

 

So far 3 people have 3" lifts on stock UCAs with acceptable alignment, but have posted no numbers. That is a hub to fender measurement of about 23.5" Can any one with this set-up post a copy of their alignment printout? This is not a challenge, I'm just curious as to how this is happening? Maybe I wasted my money on new UCAs??

I could never get better than 1.7 degrees of caster with a 2" lift. Running a high camber was not an option because over time it will wear tires. You can rotate religiously and mostly keep them running even, but what good does that do if your tire life drops from 40k-45k to 30k-35k?? You just paid for most of the cost of adjustable UCAs. My truck drove OK at 1.7, but on long drives it really became apparent that the truck took more effort to keep between the lines. Over a 6 or 8 hour drive, I felt considerably more tired. Now I have just over 3 degrees of caster, with perfect camber, and the truck tracks great. It is not pulled by every groove and rut. I've also gained some articulation.

Some numbers would add a lot to this conversation. Maybe it is just a case that what some call acceptable, others do not. Fair enough.

 

This is EXACTLY it. Some people have no experience with anything other than the "acceptable" alignment they've been driving on so they just call it good. Being "within spec" is a HUGE area and not everyone will be happy with low caster driving characteristics. I'm certainly not. That's why I spent a couple hundred more to get a BETTER alignment.

 

All I was trying to tell the guy was that I have specific experience with stock UCA's and a lifted Tacoma. I had an alignment done on that vehicle that was far superior to alignment he received. The alignment I received was of a level that did not wear my tires nor did it cause wandering or bump steer. I am not saying do not get aftermarket UCA's (I ended up buying UCA's after I went mid travel), I am staying that it is possible to align a Tacoma on stock UCA's better than what his alignment was.

Also, I don't have an alignment printout, it was like five years ago.

 

You're make solid points, I haven't had mine aligned yet as I just bought it. But I will be changing my suspension setup as well, my 5100's are set at max preload and the ride is a bit bumpy, so I'll either be replacing the coils to get same lift amount with less preload or I'll be lowering my current setup. Xmas has put a delay on anything I can do for another week or 2 but when I do change it I'll be sure to post alignment #'s and exact changes.

 

Thanks for the info! I am running 265 75 16 MT's on rims with a 12mm offset.

 

Which arms did you get? Are you happy with them?

 

I got SPC's. I am very happy with them except for the squeaking, which I have fixed.

 

Your Caster and SAI aren't even in spec. How they let that truck out of the alignment bay I'll never know. Doesn't look like they even tried. Initial and Final numbers are basically the same.

 

How'd you fix the squeak?? Mine won't stop. LoL

 

Holy sheet that's cheap....

 

They were designed to squeak . Anytime you have polyurethane in a pressure rotating contact with steel, it will squeak. You can lube it up, but as soon as the lube escapes, the squeak will return. I machined the face of the bushing down by .060 and made washer pads out of 1/16" HDPE to fit between the poly and the steel retaining washers on the end. That interface is now self lubricating, and since the metal to poly binding is eliminated, the arms move much more freely. That translates into better suspension response over stutter bumps like washboard.

 

I installed the 5100's on all 4 corners a couple weeks ago along with AAL, stock coils and arms. The front set at max height. Was running stock 265/65/17 tires and the alignment was fine (in my opinion, running straight). I had not had shop alignment work done as I was waiting for new tires. Got the new tires last week (265/70/17 Nitto Mud Trail Grappler) and had a shop install them and do the proper alignment since I hadn't since installing the 5100's and now truck is pulling to the left when I let go of the steering wheel, if not holding it I could veir off into the left lane. What happened? Took it to them today and same shit. Before the new tires or anyone messing with my alignment it wasn't pulling to the left. Thoughts?

 

I'd rotate left tires to right and right tires to left and see if it changes if it does it's probably a bad tire

 

Lol "alignment was fine" with negative caster. I've seen a lot of alignment sheets and that one takes the cake for worst "current" alignment I've seen lol.

 

Why would the shop adjust something that is in spec. OP went in uninformed and didn't specify anything, not the shops fault.

Like mentioned you're not going to get ideal castor out of stock arms with the 5100's at the top setting. Camber -/+ and improper toe will lead to tire wear.

I'd go back in and say you want 0 toe, 0 camber with the most - caster available, I'm sure they have a 30 day warranty.

 

Because the caster is NOT "in spec" and they didn't even try to get it there.

Most customers are uninformed, but that doesn't mean the shop is allowed to do a piss poor job.

 

Good point, although if that is the case, they should have mentioned it to the customer and offered a solution to fix it. Instead they just sent him on his way

 

Sorry I didn't specify, the Before Measurements was the initial alignment job the shop did, the After was their second attempt. I wish I could have seen measurements before they touched or attempted an alignment.