Can't get Caster into spec after Icon UCA install.

Installed my UCA's and coilovers on Saturday and set at 3 inches of lift. Right away I noticed how tight the steering was - like really tight. When you turn into a corner the wheel wants to keep on that line. I've read a post that says this is typical of the Icon uniballs when first installed, and they will loosen up over time. I did have to beat them hard with a rubber mallet to get them aligned with the spindles when installing.

Took truck to get it aligned today, and the tech said he could not get the caster into adjustment due to the tightness of the uniballs. Does this make sense? I have larger tires on order and they told me to drive the truck a while to get things loosened up and then bring it back in when I get the new tires on and they will re-align.

Here are my before/after numbers. Caster is high. I'm putting on 255/17R-17 tires, so I believe I want my caster to be in the 2.4 range.

Toe Before: -.10, -.04
Toe After: .07, .07

Camber Before: 1.3, 0.9
Camber After: 1.3, 0.8

Caster Before: 3.1, 3.8
Caster After: 3.1, 3.8

 

Got the tube Icons. I personally don't like the feel of the steering and would prefer less caster if that's going to make it easier to steer. Since I'm not going to be running large tires, I would think the amount of caster I have is excessive.

Still don't quite understand why he couldn't get the caster adjusted down though. To my knowledge, with the Icon UCAs, you should be able to put the caster in the mid 2's without sacrificing the camber numbers.

 

Still have my left nut with caster of 3.0 and still have lots more adjustments left, both side Lol. Something must not be install right but your caster looks good.

 

Front Driver Side Eccentric


Rear Driver Side Eccentric


Front Passenger Side Eccentric


Rear Passenger Side Eccentric

 

Understood, he's calling me after lunch to discuss.

 

I checked out your sticky. It says to increase camber, move both eccentrics longer. To decrease caster, move front eccentric longer and rear eccentric shorter.

So you're saying by just moving the front eccentric longer it will decrease camber in addition to increasing caster without touching the back eccentrics?

 

Oops sorry meant to type decrease, decrease. Ok thx for the info!!

 

I've come to the conclusion that the tech was just lazy and didn't want to be bothered with getting it into spec. My lot in life.

I'm not taking it back there until I get my new tires which are on national backorder so it will be a while. In the meantime I'd like to decrease my caster so the steering wheel returns to center a little better.

Jberry - can you describe the process to adjust the cams? It looks like there's a lock nut in front of the adjustment nut. Do I just loosen the lock nut on both front and rear eccentrics and then turn the adjustment nut on the front eccentrics clockwise (longer)?

Additionally, I found it odd that my passenger front eccentric is adjusted much shorter than the driver side. Would think you'd want them to be relatively close side to side? Makes me want to return everything to their nuetral position and start fresh.

 

Understood - so turning both fronts clockwise (toward tires) is the correct direction (longer)? And do I need to loosen both the front and rear eccentric lock nuts to adjust just the fronts or are they independent of one another and I can just loosen the fronts? Thx for all your help.

 

Just to be clear, when you adjust those it throws ALL of the alignment off. Your toe will need to be corrected afterwards or you will eat tires.

 

My tires are 56,000 miles old. They done been eatin up! Not too worried about a little more wear while I wait for the new meats.

Regardless, I'll do my best to get everything in as close as possible. Just can't stand the feel of the steering right now.

 

Haha, gotcha. A tape measure will get you close to where it needs to be.

 

Hey there, @jberry813
If you don't mind offering your opinion, what do my eccentrics tell you?
The tech who did my alignment says he can't get my caster higher than 2.7
I've just had King extended coilovers and Total Chaos UCA's installed on my 2016.

 

Can you elaborate at all? I will not be taking it to the same shop again, but if I could offer some pointers to the next guy, that would be helpful.

I read your (amazing) write-up on how to do an alignment at home, but if you can offer specifics, that I can't see with my untrained eye, that would be most helpful.

I can't keep paying $100 over-and-over for people to not get it right.

Thanks for your time.