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Truck can't get aligned, pulls right

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by eon_blue, Apr 28, 2020.

  1. May 2, 2020 at 10:45 AM
    #61
    b_r_o

    b_r_o Gnar doggy

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    Yea I just don't see the axle housing bending easier than a frame rail, the axle is beefy af.
     
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  2. May 2, 2020 at 12:14 PM
    #62
    Squeaky Penguin

    Squeaky Penguin Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

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    Not really. They're surprisingly thin and light. You can pick up a bare housing with one hand easy. I cracked one.
     
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  3. May 2, 2020 at 12:36 PM
    #63
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    So looking forward to how this plays out..
     
  4. May 2, 2020 at 12:52 PM
    #64
    toyodajeff

    toyodajeff Well-Known Member

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    You could measure from the lip on the back side of the rear wheels measure towards the front of the truck and towards the rear up as high as you can get, should be almost identical measurements if your axle is straight
     
  5. May 2, 2020 at 1:01 PM
    #65
    b_r_o

    b_r_o Gnar doggy

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    But he's talking about it being 2 inches forward, the axle housing would have to bent af to move 2 inches. Especially if the centering pins and ubolts are still intact
     
  6. May 2, 2020 at 1:09 PM
    #66
    svdude

    svdude Well-Known Member

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    Did you measure and rule out your axle? I find it hard to believe your frame is bent that much without you being able to see misaligned body and truck bed.

    don’t over complicate this, measuring your frame will likely lead you down a rabbit hole questioning everything. Especially since you wheel your truck, your frame won’t be exact like the diagram since a frame does flex. If a frame was perfectly straight all the time then alignments wouldn’t be necessary.

    my bet is a rear axle housing is bent or the spring hangars aren’t symmetrical. Are the spring hangars factory? If so then the spring hangars are probably where they need to be and your axle is likely the issue.
     
    eon_blue[OP] likes this.
  7. May 2, 2020 at 1:14 PM
    #67
    svdude

    svdude Well-Known Member

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    this only tells you that the axle housing is centered under the truck, it doesn’t tell you anything about the axle tubes. The axle tubes can bend somewhat easily during wheeling but they also bend a little at the diff housing.
    You need to measure from a known center point to the axle end on both sides and compare numbers. Since your wheel is that far off then your numbers should be considerably different. Measure from the yoke flange or another center point in the diff to each axle end.
     
    eon_blue[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  8. May 2, 2020 at 1:24 PM
    #68
    eon_blue

    eon_blue [OP] If I would, could you

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    Yea the spring hangars are factory. I agree I'm trying not to over think this because I know it'll be a rabbit hole of measurements and never ending doubt. I really don't think it's my frame, like you guys have said there would be more signs of a bent frame than just a bad rear alignment. I was looking at where my bump stops are relatively to the strike plate on the frame this morning and it's identical on either side. If the frame were pulled almost 2" forward on one side I think that'd be pretty easy to spot in more ways than one.

    Spring hangars are stock as well as the shackles, haven't messed with those. Starting to feel more like it's possible my axle housing/tubes. When I have access to my sister's driveway tomorrow I'll try and figure out exactly where this is coming from. Sister's driveway is flat unlike mine, don't want to be taking measurements on my uneven driveway at home.
     
  9. May 2, 2020 at 1:25 PM
    #69
    svdude

    svdude Well-Known Member

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    An uneven driveway won’t change measurements of a solid tube.
     
  10. May 2, 2020 at 1:26 PM
    #70
    eon_blue

    eon_blue [OP] If I would, could you

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    I should mention too it's got a gravel strip running down the middle of it, not exactly comfortable to lay on lol
     
  11. May 2, 2020 at 1:27 PM
    #71
    svdude

    svdude Well-Known Member

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    Haha. Fair enough.
     
    eon_blue[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  12. May 2, 2020 at 7:20 PM
    #72
    eon_blue

    eon_blue [OP] If I would, could you

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    From the center pin to the rear crossmember (don't know if it's technically a cross member but it's the square metal piece right before the rear bumper) the measurement is the same side to side, 41". I don't know for sure but I think that helps rule out the frame being the issue, I would think one side would be further forward if the frame were tweaked forward.

    But you're right a 2" bend in the housing would be a lot and to the naked eye I don't see any bend to it at all.

    This whole thing is really odd, everything so far measures equal side to side except the placement of the rear tires, one being 2" closer to the cab than the other.

    Also if the axle housing was askew that severely I would think I could see the tires aiming slightly off center but to the eye they both look pointed dead ahead.

    I'm just going to install my new u-bolts tomorrow and take some pics for you guys, and hopefully we can shine some light on this. I appreciate everyone's input so far, thank you.
     
    b_r_o[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. May 2, 2020 at 7:43 PM
    #73
    Digiratus

    Digiratus Adventurer

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    This is not necessarily true. Since your measurement have been off of the front hub, it could be the front hub that is out of position.
     
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  14. May 2, 2020 at 8:25 PM
    #74
    svdude

    svdude Well-Known Member

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    Definitely post pics and also just to be sure, measure the fender openings from bottom corner to bottom corner to be sure that your fenders aren’t just weird.
     
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  15. May 2, 2020 at 8:27 PM
    #75
    eon_blue

    eon_blue [OP] If I would, could you

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    Will do, though there's a definite issue because the alignment pulls hard to the right at all times particularly on the highway (front numbers are good).
     
  16. May 3, 2020 at 5:09 AM
    #76
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    Just thinking you have ruled out a brake problem and the slope of most roads to the right .

    I know in my neck of the country some roads are sloped much harder then others.

    You don`t mention rear tire wear if your axle housing was bent I can`t see it being in just one plane toward the front of the truck.

    I so wish I was up close and in person interesting Time will tell.
     
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  17. May 3, 2020 at 2:21 PM
    #77
    Wulf

    Wulf no brain just damage

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    With a good alignment, steering parts, good brakes, and a pull I was able to determine my LCA bushings were shot.
     
  18. May 3, 2020 at 4:12 PM
    #78
    0xDEADBEEF

    0xDEADBEEF Swaying to the Symphony of Destruction

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    I don't think @eon_blue is that kind of girl. :pout:
     
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  19. May 3, 2020 at 4:43 PM
    #79
    eon_blue

    eon_blue [OP] If I would, could you

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    Gotta win me over first :luvya:

    I did get the u-bolts on this morning and took some pics, I'll post them up in a couple hours... Gotta video call with my family in a few min. But the gist of it is that I'm just as stumped as before, every measurement I took checked out side to side except the tires' placement relative to the fenders.

    I did manage to rule out the frame being the issue though I believe. Will post pics soon
     
  20. May 3, 2020 at 4:45 PM
    #80
    0xDEADBEEF

    0xDEADBEEF Swaying to the Symphony of Destruction

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    I'm starting to think your tires are different sizes. o_O
     
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