new leaf packs causing steering wheel shift?

I had Dakars put on with the long overload removed. I also had sliders installed but I don't think that has anything to do with it.

When I picked up the truck, dude mentioned "when was the last time you had an alignment?"

I had the front done just a week or two before after I put in some spacers. Steering wheel was centered when I dropped the truck off. Got it back after the leafs and sliders and the wheel is about a 16th to the right to go straight.

Just curious what the cause could be. Marie from headstrong included a CB drop, which the shop opted not to install because "I didn't need it". I had a rack and tent over the bed at the time so maybe 300lbs over empty.

Looking under the truck the angle looks fine but I have no idea what I'm doing.

There are noticeable vibrations from about 65-80, but they were there before today. Theyve been there since I bought the truck, got worse with tires, even worse when towing or load in the bed. They may be a little worse after the leafs, but hard to tell. So minimal if at all.

What do you guys think

I can have an alignment and they can probably fix it but I don't want to mask another problem and am curious what could cause that just from new leafs?

I guess just the U-bolts shifting or whatever and changing the axle angle?

 

Thrust angle is off most likely.

 

OK, that's what I was thinking, although I had to look up that term. Is this and easy fix I can do myself? I mean are there marks where they should be? Or is it a trial and error thing? I would imagine if I do it soon I should be able to see where they used to be.
Might as well do a u-bolt flip at the same time when I fix this.

I'm going to have them do a CMC in a couple weeks when my wheels get here. Is it worth trying to fix it myself before then or should I just tell them to fix it when I take it back?

 

Alignment shop can do this when they install the U bolt flip. It needs to be aligned anyways.

 

I have 1 yr free alignments from NTB. Southen Offroad is doing this work. I need to have them install the flip so I can make them fix the thrust angle that they got a little wrong. NTB would try to charge me which I'm not going to pay

 

Just FYI, alignment shop needs to do this unless southern off-road has the ability to measure your chassis and accurately align.

 

well fuck

how do i babysit NTB to make sure they do it right?

 

If they're a legit alignment shop, you won't have to babysit. If they do it with a computerized hunter style rack, it will show them what's out of spec and adjust accordingly. The machine will babysit them.

Take advantage of the yearly alignments you paid for is all you'll need to do.

 

Im no expert so correct me if im wrong, but the axle has little knobs on it that the leafs sit on, which keeps the axle centered with the truck and avoiding this problem. it cant possibly be that easy for the axle to be off centered. you can only put the leaf packs in one spot on the axle which never changes

 

In a perfect world.

Last time they did an alignment for my gf they were late and called us to pick it up exactly 5 mins before closing.

I had to ask for the spec sheet which they emailed the next day.

I'm not questioning their machinery, I'm questioning their staff

 

Yes, it does have the centering pin and notches to help align it, but it still has wiggle room for the axle to be off.

I installed AAL on mine and had to disassemble the spring pack anyways. Luckily when I installed it, the thrust angle was better than from factory when I did a comparison before and after alignments when I checked my truck at work.

 

This ^
Leaf pack has center pins that lock into the axle. If the leafs aren't blatantly installed backwards or something terribly obvious I would guess the rack and pinion bolts up front could stand to be torqued down a little more. Obviously a re-alignment will be in order to correct your steering wheel being off center.

 

you must not be farmiliar with car shops/ its very common for them to bullshit customers and take shortcuts...

 

I am a former dealership tech. I know and hear enough horror stories and have witnessed line techs pulling BS.

It's unfortunate, but I really don't know what else to suggest if you don't trust the staff.

I'm on the R&D side of things for a car company now, so access to equipment for auto service is still available in case you were wondering how I do my own alignment on the taco.

 

i trust you, I just don't trust them. And not knowing enough myself, I want you to tell me exactly what to tell them and how I can be sure they did a good job.

 

Find out who and when their most experienced tech is on duty, talk to that person. See if they'll let you watch them work on it and not be a safety hazard for their insurance reasons. Let him know that your truck is "off" after the rear leaf pack change and he should know as I have suggested to you that the thrust angle is likely off and he should check/ adjust that, including adjusting everything up front again.

Make sure it's not the LOF guy. Usually those guys are the worst as they have the most to learn and the least experience.

LOF is lube, oil & filter guy

 

From what i understand, marie at headstrong is one of the #1 people to talk to in regards to lifting/leveling a tacoma according to the forum. If she gave you a drop bracket kit... I would think you should use it. Any reason it wasnt?

 

THAT ^^^^ I lifted my truck and didn't put the carrier bearing drop shims in and I got a noisy vibrating drive line... installed the shims problem solved.

You can do that yourself .. that's REAL easy. Use the new bolts and lock washers supplied with the shims.