Alignment question: worn camber and caster bolts?

F

FXFRunner

Member
Hi everyone,

I just installed a 3 inch lift kit with the stock UCA's and ran into the common issue of running out of caster adjustment.

The tech at Firestone was saying that my alignment bolts were spinning but not changing anything so I should get new ones.

Before I run and start ordering parts I wanted to check if this makes any sense to any of you who have experience with this stuff.

Is it possible that the camber and caster bolts weren't doing anything because there is no adjustment left in the UCAs?

Is there really such thing as these bolts being worn?
 
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You don't give your mileage but if anything worn out in that area probably the bushings the bolts ride in rather than bolts. Your cam tabs could be flattened somewhat aggravating the situation.
 
Unless your 4R has high mileage and lots of abuse, it's probably just that they are at the limit of adjustability. I have only a small lift up front, and can only get 2.9 caster at best.

Caveat- It could also be the tech at Firestone. I have been to Firestone 3 times in 2 months trying to get them to do a proper alignment, and each time they find a new way to mess it up.
 
Deuxdiesel said:
Unless your 4R has high mileage and lots of abuse, it's probably just that they are at the limit of adjustability. I have only a small lift up front, and can only get 2.9 caster at best.

Caveat- It could also be the tech at Firestone. I have been to Firestone 3 times in 2 months trying to get them to do a proper alignment, and each time they find a new way to mess it up.
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Yeah the guy didn't seem like the most knowledgable. I showed him the cam bolt kit and asked him if I need 1 or 2 of these and he seemed confused.

The car has 147k and not abused at all. No rust either. I'm guessing its at the adjustibility limit as you have mentioned.

At 2.9 caster, do you feel anything weird in the way the car drives or handles?
 
At 2.9 it is merely acceptable on the highway but want to follow the crown a bit, on secondary roads and dirt roads it's not noticeable. Given my lack of confidence in Firestone, I might try another shop as well.
 
Deuxdiesel said:
At 2.9 it is merely acceptable on the highway but want to follow the crown a bit, on secondary roads and dirt roads it's not noticeable. Given my lack of confidence in Firestone, I might try another shop as well.
Click to expand...

I have the lifetime adjustment deal from them sadly. Kinda wanna ask who their most experienced tech is and make an appointment with them.

Is there really no solution to this Caster angle issue short of buying a $500 UCA? I can't bring myself to spend that much cash to gain 0.6 caster angle.
 
It doesn't sound like the tech was the most knowledgeable, but if it drives good and your camber/toe are within spec don't worry about it. Caster only affects the steering wheel's return to center characteristics and will cause your vehicle to follow grooves in the road and feel "dart-Y" when steering if it's too far off.

Sent from my JSN-L23 using Tapatalk
 
reply

FXFRunner said:
Hi everyone,

I just installed a 3 inch lift kit with the stock UCA's and ran into the common issue of running out of caster adjustment.

The tech at Firestone was saying that my alignment bolts were spinning but not changing anything so I should get new ones.

Before I run and start ordering parts I wanted to check if this makes any sense to any of you who have experience with this stuff.

Is it possible that the camber and caster bolts weren't doing anything because there is no adjustment left in the UCAs?

Is there really such thing as these bolts being worn?
Click to expand...
yes bolts can be worn out but your mileage plays a factor buying 26'' bolt joint should be installed before alignment to avoid bushing wear and tear
 
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