Alignment problems - bent frame?

Hey guys

Went to go get the truck aligned today at my local shop but they couldn't get the caster in spec - no surprise there.

Tech said he saw all the sand under my truck and assumed that all the jumping and romping that I've done at Pismo ruined my caster. He concluded that it's my frame and how it might be bent, blah blah.

I personally believe that my stock UCA's are the root of problem. He said aftermarket UCA's won't change a thing. I beg to differ.

Caster came out to be 1.1* on the left and 0.5* on the right. I am hoping some LR UCA's will solve this problem.

Also, can anyone CONFIRM my 5100's are set at 2.5 by looking at this pic? I can't tell! I'm starting to think they set them at 1.75". The truck seems to be sitting kinda low.

 

There are 4 notches on the shock body- If you don't have the collar all the way to the top one...You set them low. No real way to tell from that photo.

I would give some LR UCAs a try andfind a new alignment shop.

 

I know this thread is old but Ive encountered a similar problem today.

I just finished replacing my shocks(procomps with 5100's) and took the truck to aligment, they called me after 4 hours that they couldn't figure out why the truck was pulling to the right after the truck was perfectly withing specs on their computer.

By the way I also gave them the reccomendations from this thread:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/40470-ucas-alignment.html

I do have LR UCA's so I explained to them how to adjust them, still they could not get it right.

My mechanic said he took the truck to a shop nearby, where they build trophy trucks and they are very well known locally as the best off road suspension guys. He says they measured the frame, from Left front LCA to right rear bolt somewhere and viceversa. They concluded the frame is bent since the measurements are 3/4 inch off.

They told me they can pull the frame and make it straight again.

I don't know what to think? Before replacing my shocks my truck was pulling slightly to the right but not as bad as it is now.

Should I go ahead and have them pull the frame or should I measure it my self? if So how can i do it? Or get a second opinion.

Thanks for the info

 

Scan and post the alignment sheet.

I would want to verify the measurement before having anybody pull the frame. How much are they charging for the frame pull? Was the truck ever wrecked?

 

They did not give me a printed sheet, they claimed the printer was not working.

Any ways I took the truck to another shop today to check my frame, the guy also told me the truck looks a little crooked. So I am starting to think it is true the frame is bent.

I am not the first owner of the truck so I have no Idea if it ever was on a wreck or not, the truck looks totally clean and no signs of ever been on a wreck but who knows.

I am In Baja Mexico so they are charging the equivalent to $150 dlls for pulling the frame, this guy is the best In La Paz at doing this kind of work so I am not too worry about it.