3/2 Lift - Wheel alignment questions

[Makakilo]

Hey All,
Sorry if this is the wrong location to ask but, I just installed a 3/2 lift last weekend on my 07 4runner. While driving my steering wheel now shakes at 55-65mph. I'm assuming this is an alignment issue? I'm planning on getting an alignment Saturday and I am hoping I wont need any additional equipment to make my wheels be properly aligned. When I called Midas, they told me $120 for the alignment but because its lifted it might cost more... Is this normal? I never had a company charge more because of a lift.

 

[tdubz]

I am interested to hear others experience here, too. Not an expert, since i just also did my lift. My alignment was $110 for fronts only. This was their standard rate, no extra charge for the lift. This was in SF Bay Area/Silicon Valley where prices seem to be pretty inflated. My friends in LA said that getting an $100 alignment for all 4 wheels is going rate.

On thing to mention though, if you don't have high or adjustable caster UCA, the alignment shop (probably) won't be able to get your caster into spec (without detriment to the camber). Even at the 2.5", the best the shop (albeit I wouldn't go back there) could do was about 1.8º (spec is 2.5-4º, apparently 4º is better). The car is still twitchy over 65mph, and requires some focus to stay between the lines on multilane roads. I got JBA UCAs, and want to paint them before installing. But that will require another alignment. :emoji of emptying bank account:

 

[ac1617]

I am interested to hear others experience here, too. Not an expert, since i just also did my lift. My alignment was $110 for fronts only. This was their standard rate, no extra charge for the lift. This was in SF Bay Area/Silicon Valley where prices seem to be pretty inflated. My friends in LA said that getting an $100 alignment for all 4 wheels is going rate.

On thing to mention though, if you don't have high or adjustable caster UCA, the alignment shop (probably) won't be able to get your caster into spec (without detriment to the camber). Even at the 2.5", the best the shop (albeit I wouldn't go back there) could do was about 1.8º (spec is 2.5-4º, apparently 4º is better). The car is still twitchy over 65mph, and requires some focus to stay between the lines on multilane roads. I got JBA UCAs, and want to paint them before installing. But that will require another alignment. :emoji of emptying bank account:

So I installed my OME lift a couple weeks ago using OME885 springs that supposed to give 2.5-3 inches of lift on the V8. Didn't bother getting an alignment done since I'll be installing a front bumper on soon. Drove the vehicle 3 hours on the highway going 75mph and it felt no different than before the lift.
I keep hearing the vehicle will be more difficult to stay in lane and will be twitchy but I experienced none of that... Our roads in Canada are pretty bad too. What gives?

 

[Makakilo]

Thanks Ill keep that info in mind, I do know before my lift, the front was sagging really bad and the tires are near bald on the inside. While driving on the freeway before the lift the wheel was twitchy also which I figured was due to the poor alignment and saggy suspension. Ill post an update when I'm done. I'm still surprised they want to charge more because its lifted. The steering wheel sits fairly perfectly strait without adjustment. The only thing visibly needing adjustment is the positive camber but I imagine there might also be a bit of a toe-in.

 

[tdubz]

So I installed my OME lift a couple weeks ago using OME885 springs that supposed to give 2.5-3 inches of lift on the V8. Didn't bother getting an alignment done since I'll be installing a front bumper on soon. Drove the vehicle 3 hours on the highway going 75mph and it felt no different than before the lift.
I keep hearing the vehicle will be more difficult to stay in lane and will be twitchy but I experienced none of that... Our roads in Canada are pretty bad too. What gives?

Gah so frustrating. The crappy roads may actually help, since you have to pay attention already. Our roads are quite nice and flat. This could mean (but hopefully not) that your camber is out, which you wouldn't necessarily feel that much, just your tires would. But what I think it means, is that each one is a bit unique.

Out of curiosity, why waiting for the bumper for the alignment? Changing springs? Having the alignment shop try to move the wheel forward?

 

[ac1617]

Gah so frustrating. The crappy roads may actually help, since you have to pay attention already. Our roads are quite nice and flat. This could mean (but hopefully not) that your camber is out, which you wouldn't necessarily feel that much, just your tires would. But what I think it means, is that each one is a bit unique.

Out of curiosity, why waiting for the bumper for the alignment? Changing springs? Having the alignment shop try to move the wheel forward?

Maybe, but it's not like I'm madly correcting my line as a result. I was able to keep the vehicle in line with minimal corrections.
As for waiting for an alignment, I don't use my vehicle daily for commuting so it's best that I wait for the bumper and allow my suspension to settle before doing an alignment. The weight of the bumper will reduce my lift by about 0.5 inches which would allow the alignment to get close to spec.

 

[Makakilo]

OK a quick follow up. I got the tires installed 2 weeks ago and wheels aligned. When I left, everything felt fine. When I hit the freeway, it pulled to the right and the wheel shook at 55mph or so.
I took it back to get realigned the following Saturday and the tech took it for a drive, came back and made some adjustments. Took it for another drive and came back to make some adjustments and continued 4-5 times over 2-3 hours. After all of that, it no longer pulls and the steering shakes a little at higher speeds. Overall I'm happy.:whoo:

 

[Makakilo]

Now all I need to do is a little trimming where the tires rub.

 

[That_Titanium_4RNR]

OK a quick follow up. I got the tires installed 2 weeks ago and wheels aligned. When I left, everything felt fine. When I hit the freeway, it pulled to the right and the wheel shook at 55mph or so.
I took it back to get realigned the following Saturday and the tech took it for a drive, came back and made some adjustments. Took it for another drive and came back to make some adjustments and continued 4-5 times over 2-3 hours. After all of that, it no longer pulls and the steering shakes a little at higher speeds. Overall I'm happy.:whoo:

What kind of tires do you have? are they nearly bald, brand new, or somewhere in the middle? Have they bene road force balanced? the vibration issue definitely sounds like a balancing problem