Post Alignment

I lifted my tacoma last summer 2.75" and had it aligned afterwards. Tires looked good and square in the front. Just recently I noticed the tires are towing inward in the front a lil and the tires are started to wear on the outside tread. Do I need to bite the bullet with some aftermarket UCA's or is it possible the lift is broke in and just needs realigned again? The guy who aligned my truck last year said it was in spec. I do some light off-roading.

Thanks in advance

 

Can't really speak to the aftermarket UCAs, but any large jolts or shit like that while off-roading can mess with the alignment. Firestone offers a lifetime alignment for around $200, which allows you to take the vehicle in as often as needed for as long as you have the vehicle. Any time you decide to go wheeling you can just take it in after and get it realigned.

 

I have the lifetime alignment with Firestone, the problem is that they (Firestone) like many alignment shops will only align your vehicle to the manufacturer's factory specs, and lifted trucks like ours require custom alignments. Factory specs will be off and cause problems with the alignment, I've learned this the hard way with them.

Depending on which Firestone you go to, the techs might be willing to work with you on it if you ask them to custom align your vehicle (it helps if you bring in the numbers you'd like them to aim for). Some shops won't do it though, especially if they're really busy. Call and ask first.

That might be the problem you're having, that the shop you went to just pulled up the factory alignment specs and tried to get your truck there. It won't ride right if so. This could also mean that you need adjustable UCAs because that will allow more customization in your alignment numbers.

 

Hey Ryan,

We have similar suspension and drive common off roads. Before I installed the SPC UCAs the alignment shops could not get ether the castor or camber in spec (can't remember now). The effect was when beginning a turn the front wheels would "dig in" a little needing a slight steering correction.
With the SPC UCAs the alignment is spot on and think the truck drives great and tire wear is fine. But that's not to say improvement can't be made.
What alignment specification do you like to change and how does it help?

 

Have the shop give you a print out each time you get it aligned. Most do these days. At least get an alignment that has a warranty (Firestone does this) so if you get aftermarket uca's after it not getting to the spec you want you can get it re-aligned for no additional charge.

 

As mentioned, firestone and aftermarket blah blah blah I personally dont care for them because they can only align what the computer knows about. Anything aftermarket and they start scratching their heads. I know because I wen to 3 or 4 big name shops (one of which firestone), and none of them were familar with the light racing control arms. Each alignment from the shops were not great. One I had to go back twice before I got a refund. They tried to shift both lower arms towards the driverside.

Once I went to a real alignment shop, I was please to hear that they were very familiar with the light racing arms, and especially aftermarket suspension in general. They did great work. Best alignment ever.

Prior to my new found favorite alignment shop, but after those other places, I trained and worked some with doing semi alignments. While I could get those perfect, the aftermarket arms/geometry takes skill to properly setup. I tried. I really did. I got it close, but the guys I found did far better.


Long story short, go to a real alignment shop, share your concerns, they will be able to tell you for sure if you need aftermarket arms.