Wheel alignment off after installing skid plates?

So I just installed my 9 piece skid plates from ricochet offroad but I noticed my steering wheel is now slightly off alignment when Im driving straight at any speed. What could have I done wrong? Would taking my truck in for a typical wheel alignment solve this?

 

Im not hearing any noises like the plates moving and everything seems to be locked in place.

 

How much weight did you add to your truck with all that installed?

 

No more than 75 LBs. Aluminum skids not steel.

 

Shouldn't have affected the alignment unless it moved suspension components around which I couldn't really see happening.

 

When you installed them, was the the truck jacked up or on jackstands? If yes, then there could be a chance that having part of the truck lifted off the ground twisted the frame a bit, then when you bolted down all the skid plates it more or less locked the frame in that twisted shape. This also includes that fancy crossmember that comes with the skid plates that goes under the t-case.

Normally I wouldnt think this as the issue, but you said you have a 9 piece skid plate, so it sounds like its pretty big and bolts to alot of places on the frame.

So, if I were you, I would climb under the truck while its on flat ground and not jacked up, loosen every single skid bolt a little bit then tighten them all back up (make sure they are all loose before you tighten any of them back up)

 

Not jacked up on stand only jacked up the plates to help me lift. Did everything on flat ground. Ill loosen them then a little and retighten. If that doesnt work ill take it to a alignment place and see what they say.

 

9 piece skid plate set??

Most I can think of for these trucks is 7, max.. And that includes the 2x LCA "skids"

 

https://ricochetoffroad.com/collect...m-armor-kit-toyota-tacoma?variant=29333874307

They are more of a 7 piece idk why they call it a 9 piece. Got 15% off on black friday on these.

 

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0550/5273/files/9977_Tacoma.pdf?4243609844102461914

Here are the instructions i used. The only thing I can think of is I mush have hit something suspension wise.

 

There is nothing in the suspension that you would really touch, unless when you put the lower control arm skids on you did something. Go check the control arm skids, see if maybe there is something wrong there.

 

Did you put your jack stands under your tie rods? That is about the only thing you could have done to change the steering wheel position. It could be in your head, but it never hurts to get an alignment check and many places will check for free, but you can almost always expect to be out of adjustment.

 

Nope I did everything on my back and used a jack to get them into place. This was me driving down the road making a very slight left and my wheel is off. I was like wtf when I went to the store. Parked it since going to see whats the problem today or take it in. Ignore the tire light. Didnt put a TPMS in when I got aftermarket wheels(dumb i know) but everything is right on PSI wise

 

Tire pressure? I see a light on the dash.

 

I cannot think of any reason at all why installing skid plates would tweak your steering wheel center.

But I dont think we are going to be able to do anything over the internet. Like some other guys said, just grab a front end alignment from a trusted shop as soon as possible.

 

Yea ignore that my PSIs are right just no TPMS sensor.

 

Have you taken your truck offroading recently?

I and several friends with tacomas and other offroad vehicles have had our steering wheels go out of alignment after a hard day of offroading. I don't think it's suspension/alignment related, just a loose nut in the steering rack or something. IDK how to fix it myself, but I had my shop correct it when i took it in for other work.

Does your truck wobble when you're going straight, regardless of the wheel position? Or does it pull to any one side? if not, it's probably just you steering rack misaligned, not your actual alignment.

 

No wobble but did take it off roading a week ago and did drive it down a canyon road a few days ago and I typically drive pretty fast. I just thought I would have noticed it sooner. Doesnt seem to be like wanting to drive weird just having to hold the wheel crooked.

 

If you got a trusted shop or mechanically inclined friend, or are mechanically inclined yourself, i'd check that out first. it took me a while to notice it on my truck as well, thought it was in my head at first. should be a pretty simple fix

 

Thanks. Ill take it in today. Im somewhat mechanically inclined but doesnt trust myself on alignment stuff.