Alignment question: worn camber and caster bolts?

F

FXFRunner

Member
This is something i asked in the general forum but the issue is on a 4th gen so here it goes:

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?

(Would it make more sense to give the suspension some time to settle before I start correcting things?)
 
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FXFRunner said:
This is something i asked in the general forum but the issue is on a 4th gen so here it goes:

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?

(Would it make more sense to give the suspension some time to settle before I start correcting things?)
Click to expand...

I think you may need a little more information from the alignment tech at Firestone. When they say that turning the cam bolt doesn't do anything, do they mean that no matter how much bolts are adjusted, they won't go into spec OR that the bolts were not able to be turned for an alignment at all? The former is very common with installing a lift over 2", and the latter is pretty common if your 4runner hasn't been aligned in a while and the alignment cams are seized. Unfortunately, there aren't any alignment cams (that I know of) that can fix caster from 3" of lift.

I'd say you definitely need UCAs for a 3" lift and should investigate the alignment cams for seizure. Ask the tech or shop for clarification if you need to

Some seized alignment cam bolt pics for fun:
 
FXFRunner said:
This is something i asked in the general forum but the issue is on a 4th gen so here it goes:

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?

(Would it make more sense to give the suspension some time to settle before I start correcting things?)
Click to expand...


I’m guessing they were seized and he went to town on them. Maybe he tore up the bushings, or they were already torn?

Regardless. Sounds like you’ll want new lower control arms. Choice is ultimately yours, but I’d recommend oem, or (if you’re feeling adventurous) put in some whiteline bushings yourself.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
y=mx+b said:
I think you may need a little more information from the alignment tech at Firestone. When they say that turning the cam bolt doesn't do anything, do they mean that no matter how much bolts are adjusted, they won't go into spec OR that the bolts were not able to be turned for an alignment at all? The former is very common with installing a lift over 2", and the latter is pretty common if your 4runner hasn't been aligned in a while and the alignment cams are seized. Unfortunately, there aren't any alignment cams (that I know of) that can fix caster from 3" of lift.

I'd say you definitely need UCAs for a 3" lift and should investigate the alignment cams for seizure. Ask the tech or shop for clarification if you need to

Some seized alignment cam bolt pics for fun:
Click to expand...

Got aligned at the same place 3 months prior and they didnt mention anything about bolts being seized or anything like that. Had the alignment done within spec. I'm guessing "wont go into spec due to lift" is the most likely scenario here. (nothing looks like these photos lol)

I made the mistake of going in right after a fresh install where I netted about 5 inches of lift total. Went from 18 something to 24 something measured at center of hubcap to fender. The front was sagging so I'm guessing this amount of lift is normal before everything settles.

Anwway, I think I'm gonna hope for the best and let the suspension settle for a bit. After that I'll lower the front about a half inch (i dont mind a little rake) and go in for another alignment. At that point if the guy still needs bolts I'll get him new bolts :hatsoff:
 
Berty_K said:
I’m guessing they were seized and he went to town on them. Maybe he tore up the bushings, or they were already torn?

Regardless. Sounds like you’ll want new lower control arms. Choice is ultimately yours, but I’d recommend oem, or (if you’re feeling adventurous) put in some whiteline bushings yourself.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

oh mannn, i hope not! I dont think this is the case but I still hope not! lol
 
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