Alignment after leaf spring replacement?

I recently replaced my stock OEM leaf springs with General Springs HD leaf springs and now my steering wheel is cocked a little less than 1/8 turn to the right. The truck still tracks straight as far as I can tell but only when the steering wheel is slightly turned. I tried loosening up the u bolts and shocks and shifting the rear axle slightly to counteract the left turn that it wants to make when the wheel is straight but I wasn’t really able to get any movement and after tightening everything back up the problem is still there.

Should I just go get an alignment and have them align the steering wheel, or do you think I have a bigger problem that needs to be addressed? I was under the impression that rear suspension shouldn’t really affect the alignment/steering wheel. Or should I just say screw it and drive the way it is? It’s a little annoying but I think I could get used to it.

 

Then it doesn't track straight.

As for the alignment.
The rear axle is aligned off the dowel bolt in the center of the leaf pack.
And the leafs are aligned by the mounts on the frame.

In short, there is no adjustable alignment.
The only "alignment" you get is with the slop within the comments.
Bushings, bolts, hardware.....

Something is not right somewhere. Not if the steering wheel was "straight" before you replace the leaf packs.

 

I can’t remember if Toyota leaf springs are symmetrical front to back, meaning the axle bolt is exactly halfway.

Point is, any chance a spring was installed backwards?

 

Betting it was crooked pre spring change

You need an alignment. Your caster is likely imbalanced

 

Possibly.

The "wrap" goes toward the front of the truck.
The rear doesn't have a wrap.


But.....OP didn't use oem springs.
Anyways, here is mine.

Wrap ( Installed in Front mount)

 

I noticed he replaced with aftermarket. What I meant to ask was whether the axle attach point is at the midpoint or not. I know for my Icons there is definitely a forwards and backwards to pay attention to on install, and it’s not obvious.

 

I looked on their site.
It looks like their springs are bent like the OEM springs.
One end has the wrap, the other doesn't.

The diagram with the dimension doesn't show the lengths to the center pin.
Well, if it does, the center pin is not picture.
It just shows the same measurement to the "center" of the diagram. (I'd like to see the pin for reference)

https://www.generalspringkc.com/200...ner-heavy-duty-rear-leaf-spring-4-3-1-leaves/

 

yeah, nothing to say it’s off now, it may have been off before

I’d get out a tape measure and make sure it’s fairly close, then get it aligned and move along with life

 

If 1/4 turn is 90 deg, then 1/8 turn would be 45 deg. What you have pictured is less than 1/16 turn lol. Equivalent adjustment of tie rods or shift in front cam bolt will be less than a millimeter. Just go get an alignment and move on.

 

Thanks for all the quick responses. I installed the springs in the same orientation as the OEM, and there was a hole in the bottom of each to align with the dowel on the rear axle. The only thing that seems maybe a little off was the front spring mount seemed like it had to bend in a little bit to get tight. Everything is quiet and smooth, though, so going off of what most of you are saying, I’ll likely just get an alignment and move on with life. The only thing I was worried about was “crabbing” sideways if the rear axle was slightly crooked and I just get the steering wheel straightened. But if there’s no adjustments they can do for the rear then I guess I wont worry about it.

thanks again all!

 

Even though there are centering pins and the leafs "should" be pretty much the exact same dimensions..
you're still going to have slight differences in overall alignment when you change things back there. It doesn't mean anything is bent or a problem, thats just the way it is. Nothing is exact and these trucks are all a little different

Just go get an alignment, I wouldn't want to stare at that crooked steering wheel for the next few years. And recheck the u-bolt torque in a few days

 

Bit off topic but how are you liking the springs besides the alignment issue?
Got any before and after pictures of the lift?
I was looking at the HD springs but I could only find a bunch of 1st gen guys saying good things about them.

 

This is exactly what I was going to contribute to this thread, but you already did. So i'll just reply so i get a notification when the information gets posted lol.

 

They are awesome so far, especially for the money. I think I paid about $550 all-in for springs, u-bolts, tax and shipping. I was having issues with bottoming out a lot and riding on the bump stops whenever I had a load in the bed or towing (I also run a fairly heavy snug top commercial shell). Now I don’t bottom out at all and the rear end feels more firm but not overly rigid and still smooth, so it’s much more of a comfortable ride. I like how they gave my truck some rake again. I also recently installed some 5100’s in the rear so that helped too. Definitely recommend them!

 

^this

 

Since the issue began when you replaced the leaf springs, that means you are either crabbing now or you were before. I'm leaning towards now. And I'm with Tnshooter. Either the leafs aren't installed correctly or there is something wrong with them. Only way to be sure is to get a 4-wheel alignment. If it's a good alignment (not a half-ass attempt) it will properly identify where the cause is.