Alignment Questions/concerns!

Hey all! I just installed a lift on the truck (was really hard, had to wrestle with 3 stripped lug nuts that caused MANY frustrations) but it looks great now. Just need wheels and tires soon. I also know i am going to need new UCA. They will most likely be coming in the next month or two, so i currently have stock. I installed 5100's on all 4 corners. OME 885 springs on the front and Headstrong progressive AAL in the rear.

I took it to have it aligned today and after reading through various threads about alignment specs, these numbers seem very off to me, especially the caster numbers. Did i just get a bad tech? Truck seems to drives straight, although I haven't taken it over 60 mph yet. Any opinions/comments are welcome. Here are the specs. I will also attach a photo.
Caster L .72 R .13
Camber L .66 R .32
Toe L 0.06 R 0.06 Total 0.12

 

Looks kinda like a toe-and-go to me, meaning they only adjusted the toe and called it good.

I suppose you’re alignment cams could be frozen and the shop didn’t want to tell you they couldn’t align it. Funny that the spec are listed for the tech on the sheet and still couldn’t get the caster within it.

It could also just be that your old UCA’s are limiting any further adjustment. How much lift did you get from the 5100’s and 885’s?

 

sounds like U have more work/additions/mods
in the near future

little need to align until all thats finished unless U want to do a few alignments

no less take it to someone that CAN align a lifted/modified front end
in reality the stock numbers mean little after U start making changes

good luck

 

You should quote the OP, but yes you are correct that this current path will take multiple alignments. Advantage to doing it this way though is he can at least guarantee he doesn’t destroy his tires while he waits the 1-2 months for the UCA’s.

 

I would say that i got right between 2 and 2.5 inches of lift in the front.

 

I don’t see why the shop couldn’t at least have hit the minimum 1.21 degrees of caster. I personally would take it back and ask them why.

When you do get your new UCA’s I would ask for 3 degrees of caster.

 

if he should wait several monnths + a few thousand miles
the tyres will have already taken a set
to the current metrics he's been informed cant be adjusted or correct

i have a mechanic friend that swears misaligned tyres c a n be aligned ...............
not to put time / labor or intellect to test
i dont agree

a really good front end man c o u l d make adjustments
maybe even get close
at that juncture it actually might not make a difference

i make sure my vehicle is setup the way it will run predominantly
pressures are correct / room temp
tyres actually installed only several 1500ft from the rack............

settting up many a race suspension ( far different than lifted/mod front ends )
allows a consistency for the best results

good luck

 

Ok. I will try to take it back to them Wednesday and see what they say. I have read that around/over 3 is the sweet spot for aftermarket UCA. I was expecting to be in the low 1's with stock uca (with the new setup) did not expect the numbers to be this low though.

 

Yeah i was 50/50 whether I needed the alignment now or just wait for the UCA. Prob should have just waited. Lol

 

Another great example of lazy ass alignment tech