alignment tech/ help thread

I had my truck lifted in 2010 and other than the top of the front wheels being out a little bit, it hasn't been too much of an issue other than the OUTSIDE of the front tires being worn more than the center.

In anticipation of buying new wheels/tires I took it to Toyota to fix the outward angle of the front tires. Now they've made it much worse and the truck pulls to the left. I had to take it back in to have them fix it and while it's better, it still pulls to the left.

This is a 3" front, 2" rear lift. Not sure if anyone else has ever had this problem with the top of the front tires angling out like this. In fact, the LEFT FRONT is far worse than the right front tire.

Toyota seems to have no idea how to handle this. Is this something that I need to take it to an aftermarket shop to fix with some kind of experience with lift kits?

 

UCAs

 

What are UCAs?! Sorry I am new to this forum and "truck lifting".

It's a sad state looking at my truck with one front wheel pointing outward at the top. I probably look like a freaking slob!

 

You have positive camber because you're out of adjustment with the factory LCA cams. If you add aftermarket upper control arms, they will either add a fixed adjustment at the top or they will be adjustable and you'll be better to get your alignment back to ideal specs.

0 camber,
~2.5 caster,
0 toe

 

Soak the LCA bushings in PB-blaster over night and then hit them with an impact. If they don't break loose then you should replace them. I broke mine loose with a hand wrench but I live in Calif. I'm really surprised they got it a well as they did with only the UCA to work with.

 

Me too, it actually drives pretty good. Thanks for the tip. I will have to look into that when I get a chance.

 

Do you have a place where I can get the aftermarket upper control arms?

 

wheelersoffroad, ask for a TW discount

 

I had to take the truck to a specialty shop because Toyota doesn't deal with variables (ie: My truck has been lifted!). The shop I took it to knew exactly what to do to get the alignment fixed.

I can send anyone a recommendation if you're in the NOVA area.

Cheers!

 

Those of you running LR UCAs, I just got a pair and have eibachs set at .85 on 5100s, DC 4x4 2nd Gen, and addint a 1/4" spacer to the passenger side and a 3/8" spacer to the driverside, what do you set your ball joints to, knowing that the place I am going to take it will not do anything to adjust the ball joint in the LR UCAs, once I set it on the install it will likely not get moved again. Not sure where to set them when installing them.

 

Neutral

 

Are these specs ok? I tend to hear my BFG AT now when rolling down the street. Before they where quiet.
I just installed Maxtrac Spindles, 5100 set @ 0, Eibachs, and LR UCA's. Tires are a year old, rotated every 5k, even wear??? Maybe some on the outside.
In my mind i feel like im driving down the road wearing out my tires. I need some peace.
Thanks

 

The alignment numbers look good. Check your tire pressure

 

I replace the UCAs with LR UCAs and set them at +2 deg, and I also replaced both of my LCAs with newer stock ones. I did a redneck camber alignment using the top LR UCA ball joints and let them take care of Toe and fine adjustments on the rest.

I just got mine back this is the PRE:


What do you think: the POST:



Not really an issue, but saw that one of my eccentrics was maxed out, Front Camber on the passenger side is maxed out, but the specs look great, and it rides fine so I am not going to worry about it.



LR UCA on that side:

 

Took my truck in for alignment yesterday, the passenger side caster will not budge from 4.5 degrees towards the back of the truck. They tried for an hour and it just won't get into spec. Toe and camber is just about right, but we can't figure this out. I've had a few hard hits that threw my steering wheel off to about 10:00 when going straight.

Any chance this is because of a bent spindle? Maybe a bent LCA?

 

Are the cams free ?

 

Yes they were. I'm not sure what to do other than take out both spindles and eyeball them, or probably just replace them then try again.

 

Now I'm not great with this but a good tech should be able to look at included angle and SAI and tell you if anything is bent and what it might be.

 

Guess he wasn't a good tech

I got the whole thing done for free from a friend's coworker. He works at one of the biggest Honda dealerships in the US. Wonder if I'll have more luck paying somebody $80 to do it.

 

Took this quote from an earlier post. Just installed 5100's set at 1.75 with stock springs. Rear is stock. '07 DoubleCab LB. Are these figures applicable to my setup?