Alignment after spacer lift...

[mrrab]

So, about 2 weeks ago I installed the Daystar 2.5/1.5 spacer lift and today I took it to a Toyota dealership to have it aligned and it took them 2 hours! LOL.

The tech. that worked on it thought it had been in an accident until I told him I installed a spacer lift kit. He and the service advisor said it would have been nice to have known that before hand. I'm thinking, "You couldn't tell there was a lift and you didn't ask why I needed an alignment!!!"

Anyways, the tech. said had he known there was a 2.5" lift in the front he would have dialed in the specs differently. I then told them the manufacture of the spacer kit didn't recommend different alignment specs after the lift, so...

So, are factory specs. okay for a 2.5 spacer lift? I think so.

And while I'm on the topic of alignments... Do you need an alignment after you install new CV axles? Manual mentions nothing about it.

 

[TRDCal]

I only did a 1in spacer up front but my local garage was able to bring it back to factory specs, I did however tell them I had installed the spacers, not sure if it makes a difference or not.

No alignment is needed after new cv axles since they don't affect the geometry of the suspension.

 

[mrrab]

No alignment is needed after new cv axles since they don't affect the geometry of the suspension.

Thanks. So, I guess alignments are needed when lifting/lowering a car or if you happen to do something stupid affecting the steering.

Reason I ask is because I got a leaky driver's side CV boot that I've been trying to cure, but it's still leaking. Also, there's no tears or cuts. So I think I'll pick up a CV axle.

Anyone have any recommendations on who to get one from. I've used Autozone CV axles in the past and there holding up fine...

 

[Gerdo]

Anyone have any recommendations on who to get one from. I've used Autozone CV axles in the past and there holding up fine...

The auto store CV axles are probably fine for normally driven vehicles but...
What we have found is that the auto parts store axles are made from cheap steel that is poorly heat treated (true, we are wheeling 3rd gens but there shouldn't be a difference). This combo has caused failures (the axle stub breaks off) inside the front diff (when wheeling). They are also known to bind at full droop.

We buy OEM re-builds from our local CV repair/rebuild shop. (CVJ in Denver). They will also inspect and re-boot your axles for cheap. This is what I did (all 4 boots on my original axles) with 215,000 miles and still going strong.

 

[mrrab]

We buy OEM re-builds from our local CV repair/rebuild shop. (CVJ in Denver). They will also inspect and re-boot your axles for cheap. This is what I did (all 4 boots on my original axles) with 215,000 miles and still going strong.

Are you saying you have your original CV axles on your 3rd gen with 215K?

Thanks for the input. I'm thinking about buying one from rockauto.com, but I don't think they have a lifetime guarantee like Autozone has. Also, my 4Runner will likely never see hardcore wheeling.