Flattening Alignment Tabs for Better Alignment?

Is this a thing? I recently installed a new suspension (let's be honest I did jack up one of the tabs not paying attention) and took it to get aligned. I gave them some specs I wanted to hit, which they didn't, but that's not the point here.

I think all but one order has the alignment tabs completely smashed down and the cams are way outside the spot they should be.

I know flattening these isn't standard procedure for an alignment, but could the tech ignore the tabs and just flatten them out trying to hit my specs? Or did he just do a poor job?

 

I could be wrong but my understanding is that the cam bolts need something to keep them in place and offset.

You're long travel right? Total chaos makes cam tab gussets to keep them from getting destroyed or flattened. Maybe try installing those? http://www.chaosfab.com/2010-2017-4Runner-Lower-Control-Arm-Cam-Tab-Gussets-59860-10FJ

My best guess is the tech didn't know what he was doing or he would've come back to tell you since your cam tabs are damaged he can't get the proper numbers.

OA

 

If you flatten out the tabs your truck will not hold an alignment, you will constantly have to get it redone, especially when you take it out in the dirt.

The total chaos cam tab gussets are the way to go.

 

I figured that's the case, but thought I'd ask to see if anyone else has run into that. I looked into the Total Chaos ones, but might just try to bend mine back and run a bead behind them for now. I really don't feel like cutting/grinding the stock ones off for the TC gussets.

 

That seems like a reasonable alternative.

 

Well no luck there. Those tabs are effed. Plus if I did the welding idea, it's going to suck if I do the TC tabs.

I bent them back enough to get it realigned. But that's it. I think he tried loosing the nut instead of the bolt on the front ones and just destroyed the one tab. Half the material is scraped off. So when I bent it back it started to crack.

I just wish the TC ones came already assembled.

 

The tabs have nothing to do with holding alignment, torquing the bolts to proper spec does. The tabs just give the cam something to push against to move the bolt in and out.

 

That's what I always thought. But I read a lot of people losing alignment after big hit off road. And the gussets fix or st least improve.

 

Not true. I have had a flattened tab on my drivers side for quite some time now and I have done plenty wheeling with it that way. Caster and camber remain unchanged since that time. (Easily 2 years since my boxed LCA's went on)

Entirely this.

If they lost their alignment after a big hit then they must have tightened their cams like a bitch.

Sort of kidding, sort of not. Really. My drivers side remains unchanged entirely at Caster/ Camber and I have put the suspension through some heavy abuse since I did that initial full re-alignment. Check their tightness every so often or during/ after a wheeling trip and you should never have an issue.

Now as far as to how to move the cam bolts if your tabs are flat. A really heavy duty ice pick in the frame holes and a long breaker bar do the trick just fine.

 

The place i get my alinment done never give me a print out . Should i be worried

 

I also see a lot of people seem to think the marks on the cams are suppose to be between the tabs and that won't give enough adjustment. Those matks don't mean shit. I've seen people remove the cams completely and use a hardened bolt. Would make fine adjustments a little tougher, but no reason it doesn't work, all you are doing is moving the bolt in the slot.

 

Thanks everyone. I'll hold off of gussets and give the bent ones a try. I straightened them good enough.

Hopefully the tech doesn't rebend them though.

 

The fact that they bent out has already indicates to me that the 90* bend on them has already been weakened at the metal. Even if you rebent them back much like I tried to back in the day it wouldn't hold the cams pressure properly as they turn and would likely bend them out again unless you welded them solid into place. Yoh may be good to go, but I saw where the metal on my tabs are cracking at the 90's. Best of luck to you, but either way, you'll be okay with a competent tech who actually gives a shit about what he is doing.