Alignment issues

I’m not sure where to put this but I figured this section would fit. I had my truck aligned a week or 2 ago. Never even looked at the rear and I’m assuming the tech didn’t either. But what’s going on here? Obviously looks like the axle isn’t sitting in there straight... but how?! Is this common? The truck is a 2012 double cab with a 6” bds lift.

 

Anyone?

 

are you crab walking? you know, when the rear of the vehicle follows a bit off center.

it looks like you're good for rolling without issues, since the left & right compensate each other. but i personally wouldn't get along with it since I work to make my truck dialed in completely. i agree it looks like the tech either didn't look at the rear, didn't see it as a problem or didn't care.... or there's something preventing him from adjusting it.

 

I don’t notice it. But definitely want it right. I hate things being wrong lol. The tech that aligned it is a good friend of mine. I’m sure he didn’t notice. Idk how you’d adjust this? There’s no rear adjustment. Only thing I can think is loosen the u bolts and move the axle. Or see if the pins are in tact and lined up properly.

 

the real question, then, and always, is how does it drive as it is now? not talking numbers here...

 

It’s definitely interesting lol. Has some bump steer. Steering wheel stays where you turn it when you’re at higher speeds, doesn’t jump back to center. No wandering though. But I don’t seem to notice the thrust angle in the rear

 

well your camber is a bit uneven which can be something or nothing depending on your tires, but your toe-in is excessive, and that is likely why you're not self-centering like normal if that's the case. oe is 0.05 in per side.

of course it's a package deal so I'd take it to a truck shop who can handle the rear as well and deal all at once. or maybe you're stuck with the friend deal.

 

I can go back and have him tweak it. I’ve never had an issue with toe being excessive and causing issues before when it’s close enough to spec. But that may be causing some differences. I wouldnt think a .04 degree difference would change much but maybe! We shall see. I’m just concerned with the thrust angle and rear axle, getting that where it should be. I’m not sure how to go about doing that, or why it’s even out to begin with

 

Y'all do realize the rear is a solid axle, on every single vehicle with a solid rear axle I have ever done an alignment on there has never been rear adjustments.
I personally like camber to be the same side to side, relatively close to the dot in the middle.
Caster about 0.5 higher on the pass side to counter road crown.
Toe on the dot with no more then 0.02 difference between the two sides.

But you said you have a 6 inch lift so I assume that changes shit.

 

it really depends on the tires there, how they grip, how they comply, etc, and can change through the life of the tire. 0.04 can be quite a bit depending on the tires. a 0.01 change on one side is easily detectable on my truck believe it or not. and that is mainly due to the lack of compliance from the tires. because my toe is even like yours, if you add or subtract on one side it brings uneven dragging of the tread, which jumps out to me while driving. but i need very firm tires to feel that. more compliant tires tend to mask that symptom by gripping more at the tread and stretching the tire carcass. if the tires are soft, stretch at the carcass and are slow to return, then that can be part of describing your slow or numb self-centering.

 

No alignment place is going to move the diff. Loosen the ubolts and see if there is enough play in the mounting peg to move one side back and the other forward. Won't take much since it's barely off. Not really enough to worry about actually.

 

Alignment shops don't mess with the rear solid axle, they only adjust the front IFS. The rear shouldn't need adjustment unless it got knocked out of whack somehow or (more likely) when new leaf springs were installed the axle wasn't sitting 100% even when the u bolts were tightened down. That's what happened to me anyway, creates a pull to the right even though my front is aligned just fine.

 

I get what you’re saying. My current tires are bfg ko2’s

 

I’m aware there’s no direct adjustments. But it’s obviously out and shouldn’t be. Something isn’t mounted right.

 

That’s what I’m guessing is the u bolts were tightened while it was in the air or something when the axle wasn’t centered. But my alignment guy is a good friend of mine. He will attempt move it if I ask him to

 

I may try and mess with it. I don’t have a very good place to do it currently and with the frigid weather in upstate NY, I don’t want to be laying in the driveway lol. My alignment guy is a good friend and he would attempt to move it if I asked him to

 

You need more positive caster if it won't self steer. I'd aim for 3+ degrees.