Can't get alignment right

Hi TacomaWorld,
I have a 2012 Crew Cab Long Bed Sport. Last year I installed a Toytec suspension package consisting of Boss Aluma Series 2.0 front coilovers, diff drop kit, OME rear leaf springs, Aluma Series Rear shocks, and SPC adjustable upper control arms (that need to be set all the way out to clear the 265/70/17 tires on factory rims). It's a pretty stiff ride, but I am very happy with the solid and durable feeling of this package. My problem is it is tearing up the front tires. I have had several alignments and every shop seems to want to set it to factory specs. Looking for advice to find a shop somewhere nearby (just north of Boston MA), or a spec sheet with the proper procedure to sort out the front suspension. Any help on the best way to fix this problem would be greatly appreciated. I have emailed Anthony at Toytec and he suggested an alignment problem, but I need more info to tell a shop exactly what I need to fix this situation.

Thank you!

Chris

 

Need to see the current alignment spec sheet as to where they set it would be a great help. Any pics as to said wear issue on tires?

 

I was running into the same issues. Turns out my cams were spinning independently I doubt that’s an issue but something to look out for. Also, it has to run with a 3* camber because the L/UCAs being a weird length between each other.

 

Getting a good alignment tech seems to be fairly tough. Even places people recommend may be unfamiliar with SPC adjustability. I used the map on the SPC site to find a 'certified installer'. I'm sure there are plenty of shops that know what they are doing but haven't gone through a certification process. Maybe look for a recommendation on your regional board here and then call the shop and ask specifically about your situation. I got one bad alignment that caused a huge amount of rub before I found a good shop. The first place I called said they had experience with SPC UCAs. They made more rub, made it drive like shit (in a straight line) and the tech was adamant that was the best they could do. Just flush my money right down the toilet.

Second shop (I found on the SPC site and had heard about on the regional board here) got me in the next morning and had me fixed up and on my way in under an hour. Drives like a dream and tire wear seems normal. Shout out to Automotive Outfitters in Portland Oregon (sorry it doesn't help you on the east coast). I'll edit the post in a couple minutes and include the final specs.

 

Thank you all for taking the time to respond. Attached is a picture of the tire wear and a scan of the alignment sheet as requested by gotoman1969. I truly appreciate the help and the resources of the TacomaWorld community.

Chris

 

North of Boston, have you called John at Main Line Overland? They're the only folks I can think of locally to reach out to. They're in NH, so right up 93 North for you.

Let him know Phillip with the Baja LP9's Tacoma and trailer sent you if you give them a ring, good people, I got my maxtrax and other stuff from them.

 

Looking at the alignment sheet. It doesn’t look bad. The cupping on the appears to be across the entire tire(correct me if wrong) if it is. When I see cupping like that it usually is indicative of the tire not staying on the ground going down the road. I believe the toytecs have a 700lb coils if you don’t have any weight in the front this might be the issue.

 

While the spec sheet doesn’t look bad I’d personally like to see 3* caster min and 0 camber and toe.

 

The cupping is significantly worse on the outer edge of the front tires. Another detail is that the SPC adjustable upper control arms are set all the way to the outermost position and there is less than 1/2" clearance to the tire. Anthony at Toytec told me that with this package, a 285 width tire typically fits with no problems when the UCA is set in the middle position. (the truck is running on 265s now, a 285 would definitely hit the UCA). I can't help but think that there is too much positive camber to keep clearance from the UCA, causing the outer edge of the tire to wear. I really wish I knew more about suspension geometry!

Chris

 

Definitely need an alignment guy that knows those spc ucas. Know why the install guys set them up that way or did you install yourself?

 

I went with jbas due to their simplicity. Zero alignment issues and have had no issues with them at all.

 

Update: my neighbor who is an excellent mechanic (but works at a shop that does not do alignment) suggested that I look at my tire pressure. My tires are BFG KO2s in LT265/70/17. I have been running them at 35 PSI, which is way too low. My fault. I was lazy and relied on the TPMS rather than check my actual pressure. Not sure if the TPMS was reset at some point. I filled the tires to 45 PSI, (the max is 50) and the ride seems much smoother, with far less of the scrub I felt before. Hoping this is a large part of the problem. Could it be that simple? Any thoughts or suggestions?
Thank you!

Chris

 

45 psi will rattle your teeth out on a dirt road.

I'm somewhere between 29-34 psi in the summer, less in the winter or when offroading

Don't pay attention to the max number on the side of the tire, you want to look at the sticker on the door jamb for proper tire pressure.

The people who made the tire don't know what kind of vehicle that tire will be installed on, their pressure recommendations are useless. That 50 psi number is only there to protect them from getting sued if you overfill it and the tire blows up in your face


As for the alignment, it's imperative that you find a shop where they have some experience with lifted trucks and can think outside the box when it comes to alignment angles

 

Tire pressure is not your issue.

 

Tire pres. is not your issue, but I run my ko2's at 30 in the winter & 15 in the summer, got 40k out of my last set, and I'm kinda hard on $hit. As for alignment I'm running spc's all the way forward, not sure what letter they call it, & have good results. Find a tech that knows spc & will listen to what you want