How to do an Alignment at Home

The UCAs are basically the same adjustments. Think in terms of longer)shorter with each heim and you will be good to go. I always think of how the BJ is effected. In this case the UCa is opposite of the LCA. Moving the lower BJ forward increase caster. Moving the upper BJ forward decreases caster.

 

Thanks. Just wanted to double check before I got going on it. That's what seemed to make sense that they were opposite, just adjusting the uppers is a bit more of a pita than the lowers

 

Way more than quite a bit. I love my Icon billet UCAs because they adjust in place. Unfortunately no option like that for any LT kit that I have seen.

 

Looking for a quick nod on the bolded part of this post-so I can make these LCA adjustments with the tires on the ground with the weight of the truck on them? Thanks.

 

Thanks Jason! Glad you happened to be in here!

 

Well I did it and it worked!!! Mine was about an inch off at the top of the wheel to the left-not a lot but just enough to trigger my melodramatic sense of center every time I drive this truck. So I did what you said I notched each arm nut forward (backing off motorbike throttle) about a quarter-inch each (you aint lying about the sensitivity of these adjustments) and got that wheel perfect on the 1st time. I'm talking where before there was only a mostly center-left handoff and no "feel" of return to center; now I have the much missed left-right handoff and a definite feel of RTC. I'm pretty fucking happy about this, thank you Jason very much!
This is a valuable thing you taught, because if you're such an anal gotta have a perfect wheel guy like I am, you really need to have the knowledge on how to do it yourself.

 

Throwing this out there for every one to chew on.
Firestone alignment last night!
Ask for as close to 3* caster rest 0*

Mind you the day before I replaced inner outer tie rods, Lca bushings and bolts, lower ball joints. And I have spc uca's.
My tires are 285 not 265?
I sat on it for the night to calm my self.
Anyone think I have something to bitch about?

 

I certainly don't like those camber numbers. I would sacrifice some of that castor to get camber back in spec.

 

Hey Jason do you have any links about how adjusting camber and caster effect each other?

Think I'm gonna have to do it myself, as I sit here and watch the tech realign it I'm getting madder by the minute.

They've had it since 11 am it's now 5:30 and said it would be done by 5:00!

 

Well I guess I'm doing the alignment myself. Here's their next try...I just don't get why this is so hard. And get this their printer was not working today. So the tech wrote the #'s on paper.

 

It could be the tech but it could also be your truck. They should be able to get the toe to zero but the caster and camber are related (as is clearance if you're running 33's!)

Caster and camber are adjusted by the same cams. Think of your LCA as a triangle where the ball joint is one point and the two cams are the other two points. The cams adjust laterally, that is they move their points of the LCA closer to or further away from the middle of the truck. Moving both cams out will create negative camber. Moving both in will create positive camber. Moving the cams in opposite directions changes caster. It's possible to run up against the limit of the cams adjustment when adjusting for one and then not being able to get what you want on the other.

For instance, if you are lifted you will have to run the camber adjusters further in (I think thats right?) to maintain zero degrees but you then will leave less room to adjust for caster.

But again, I think toe should be <0.1* bit camber and caster are a littile more forgiving.

 

I'm gonna say tech. They have plenty of room for adjustments. Already done a cab mount chop and trimmed inner front fenders.

 

I have a feeling you will have to give up caster to get the camber to zero. Have you lifted the front? My numbers look similar and camber is maxed. No room to adjust the LCA outboard without sacrificing caster, which doesn't bother me but the rubbing does. Good luck! I think the home align is the way to go!

 

You have SPC UCA's, correct? You should be able to correct your camber on your UCA's. IMHO, anyone with SPC control arms should be able to get just about any #'s you are shooting for.

 

Exactly deeezy!
Took it to another firestone location and the tech was amazed at the adjustablity! Said it made his job easy.

 

Man. I'm impressed you guys can do this. I don't know why I am struggling to hard with this.

I can't find a shop anywhere local that will align mine. So I figured I'd give it a shot. Even bought some little bubble gauge thing for camber/caster. Still can't really get it.

Anyone want to buy a camber/caster gauge and toe plates?

 

Here's what I was going to do. Max out the caster. Then adjust the camber into spec.

Do I have this part right for max caster. It's o. A 2016. This would be looking directly at the cam (front most and rear most).

 

Correct