Alignment slip?

Jono.ful

Jono.ful

New member
For those with lifts running custom alignment specs (ie. +4 caster), how long are you finding that it holds? I last had mine done about 3 months ago, and I'm getting all sorts or rubbing issues again, which is concerning because its getting to be winter tire season and my studded tires are going to chew the hell out of the mud flaps.
I have been wheeling a couple times since the last trip to the alignment shop, other than that, its just regular city and highway driving. Seems to me it should stay in spec longer than that.
any thoughts?
 
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Sounds like they didn't crank everything down to spec. My alignment hasn't shifted ever and I'm about +5.7 caster.
 
[MENTION=99235]Scott@Hightech[/MENTION] got a question for you since we're on the topic of alignments.

If I crank my Icons so the body is at the same height after I install my SW skids as it was before the skids install, do i still need an alignment check, or should I be good?

Theory says I should be good with the increased spring pressure compensating for the additional weight and pushing the wheels back out.

Thanks!

Okki
 
In theory, Yes is should be the same as long as you adjust the ride height back to exactly where it was. BUT It is always a good idea to get it rechecked and make sure the front toe is still correct.
 
At least three times now I've had alignment done at different places and had them not torque the bolts correctly. One time they were only hand tight. The first thing I do now after getting my alignment done is torque the bolts myself to make sure they are correct.
 
Narkhelek said:
At least three times now I've had alignment done at different places and had them not torque the bolts correctly. One time they were only hand tight. The first thing I do now after getting my alignment done is torque the bolts myself to make sure they are correct.
Click to expand...

Happened to me as well.
 
I throw my 4th gen around hard when I off-road and when I just checked the alignment after almost a year since I did it, it didn't change any if at all and I LOVE jumping the 4Runner. :D
 
Jono.ful said:
For those with lifts running custom alignment specs (ie. +4 caster), how long are you finding that it holds? I last had mine done about 3 months ago, and I'm getting all sorts or rubbing issues again, which is concerning because its getting to be winter tire season and my studded tires are going to chew the hell out of the mud flaps.
I have been wheeling a couple times since the last trip to the alignment shop, other than that, its just regular city and highway driving. Seems to me it should stay in spec longer than that.
any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Mine have never moved with well over +4 on the caster for years now.I don't see where the caster setting would have anything to do with them coming loose. They are supposed to be really tight and I just checked the manual and it said 129ft/lbs.... which is really tight.:D
 
Damnit, improper torquing is what I suspected. The really unfortunate part is that the only alignment shop that was able to get the specs right is in another city, 8 hours away. I've been to three different places here in town, including the stealership, who all claimed it wasn't possible to get anywhere near +4.
 
i am getting my lift put on shortly and will be running billies and new UCAs in the front. anyone have a spec sheet of what their alignment shop gave them post 'proper' alignment completion??
 
ya thanks jambo i saw that on the other thread. i was just curious as to what to request/look for with the new UCAs. anyone?
 
When I get an alignment done the first thing I do is drive straight home and torque the bolts myself. I also always put some paint across the face of the cams and the metal tabs that surround the cams so I know where the alignment was in case it were to move or I need to know where it was aligned after some work like replacing a lower control arm that I did recently.
 
Jono.ful said:
Damnit, improper torquing is what I suspected. The really unfortunate part is that the only alignment shop that was able to get the specs right is in another city, 8 hours away. I've been to three different places here in town, including the stealership, who all claimed it wasn't possible to get anywhere near +4.
Click to expand...

they are probably sacrificing some camber to get that much caster.

if thats a MUST have, then let the local places know what it is you want.
 
Jono. ful, I had my alignment done, after 5100's, at Fountain tire on 157st and 111ave. They are across from the 4x4 parts place. They do all of the alignments after 4x4 installs the lifts. I told them I wanted as close to 4 as possible. The tech managed to get it 3 . 8 something. He just missed on the steering wheel being straight. It was corrected immediately though.
 
canadiansr5 said:
ya thanks jambo i saw that on the other thread. i was just curious as to what to request/look for with the new UCAs. anyone?
Click to expand...

With the LR UCAs or the Icon UCAs, They should be able to get around 4 deg of caster( slightly higher on the right side is best), Camber should be as close to zero as possible, And i like to run +.10-.20 deg of toe(toe in).

With out UCAs usually shoot for 2 deg caster and it ends up being about +.5 deg camber and toe is +.10-.20.
 
nevada said:
they are probably sacrificing some camber to get that much caster.

if thats a MUST have, then let the local places know what it is you want.
Click to expand...

I've beaten this to death in other threads. I always specify that I want as close to +4 caster as possible, they always say they will put as much on as they can provided there is enough adjustment. Once my truck rolls out, it's always right in the middle of Toyota spec (around 2 iirc) and I'm told they tried but couldn't get any more (obviously bullsh!t). I finally managed to find a shop that would at least honestly try, and succeed, in hitting +4 . unfortunately they're located in the town where my in-laws live - 8 hours away. Since the last alignment about 3 months ago, but especially in the last few weeks, I've noticed I'm getting quite a bit more rubbing at the back of the wheel well, so I suspect the lca's may not have been torqued properly. Frankly, I'm sick of getting ripped off my local shops and the stealership who can, but don't do the work I ask them to.
I'm going to try once more, and I'll be sure to take the last print out with me to show them it can be done.
 
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Zeder said:
Jono. ful, I had my alignment done, after 5100's, at Fountain tire on 157st and 111ave. They are across from the 4x4 parts place. They do all of the alignments after 4x4 installs the lifts. I told them I wanted as close to 4 as possible. The tech managed to get it 3 . 8 something. He just missed on the steering wheel being straight. It was corrected immediately though.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the tip, I'll give them a shot.
 
canadiansr5 said:
i am getting my lift put on shortly and will be running billies and new UCAs in the front. anyone have a spec sheet of what their alignment shop gave them post 'proper' alignment completion??
Click to expand...
I've had 4 alignments done in the last 3 1/2 years with reasons being changing suspensions and/or UCA's.Never because it was knocked out or the bolt wasn't tight to let it move.
This was my last alignment printout with Total Chaos UCA's maxed out for caster and coming from LR UCA's......You want to look at the "FINAL" specs...

Picture023-6_zps249a7aa7.jpg~original


Alignment sheet with Light Racing UCA's a couple of years back....As you can tell I like more +caster which makes for stiffer steering and better straight line tracking while still keeping toe and camber within specs. I started with +4 the first time and went up from there.
Picture016-7.jpg~original
 
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