Caster off 2º side to side

[Troymclure]

So just got my truck back from the allignment shop. Told them to max caster on each side and they said they did. The caster on the left was right at 4º, while the right was only at 2º. They also said before the caster on the right was all the way back at -0.5º. To me, this doesnt seem normal.

I did hit a tree with the right wheel pretty good, wondering if theres something bent. I was thinking the spindle, but I cant think of way to figure out if its actually bent. It doesnt appear to be, but something is definitely off. Any ideas?

 

[hearno]

My first though reading your post was an impact with something knocked it back. Maybe the LCA?

 

[Troymclure]

My first though reading your post was an impact with something knocked it back. Maybe the LCA?

Yeah its possible. Ive just always heard the spindles are the weakest point on our trucks, so it seemed the most likely. Everything looks fine though, I wonder if theres a way to measure side to side to check.

 

[LTDSC]

either lazy techs or you ****ed something up. im 0.04 degrees off on mine at 4.50

 

[Fern]

They do sell the spindle gussets for a reason. It would be hard to tell if it got tweaked without taking it off and having something to compare it too.

 

[Troymclure]

either lazy techs or you ****ed something up. im 0.04 degrees off on mine at 4.50

Yeah they tried to be lazy. They called me and said they did the allignment just by setting toe and I had to pay $20 extra to have them fix the caster and camber. Well, fix it as best they could.

They do sell the spindle gussets for a reason. It would be hard to tell if it got tweaked without taking it off and having something to compare it too.

Yeah, comparing it with a straight one would be easier. Im hesistant to put spindle gussets on though, since I would rather bend a spindle than the arms or arm mounts.

 

[Jeremy556]

Have a look at your LCA eccentric adjusters. The rear ones should be set so that the bolt is closer to the outside of the vehicle, pushing the lower ball joint forward, increasing caster. In the image below, *3 and *4 should be so the bolt is closer to the + sign in the drawing.

It's tough to find an alignment tech that knows what they are doing, and willing to do the work to get it right. They will need to adjust the rears to push caster forward, then use the fronts to try to get camber in spec, then maybe back off a little on the rears to get camber in spec.

In my experience, most techs will only adjust the front or rear pair of adjusters. On stock vehicles, that is generally all it takes to get back into spec, and much easier than adjusting all 4. To get the best alignment on a lifted vehicle, takes more work.

FWIW, with Total Chaos UCAs and about 2.5-3" lift, I am running about 5.4 caster and still well within spec on camber, but a little bit negative.

 

[Troymclure]

Have a look at your LCA eccentric adjusters. The rear ones should be set so that the bolt is closer to the outside of the vehicle, pushing the lower ball joint forward, increasing caster. In the image below, *3 and *4 should be so the bolt is closer to the + sign in the drawing.


It's tough to find an alignment tech that knows what they are doing, and willing to do the work to get it right. They will need to adjust the rears to push caster forward, then use the fronts to try to get camber in spec, then maybe back off a little on the rears to get camber in spec.

In my experience, most techs will only adjust the front or rear pair of adjusters. On stock vehicles, that is generally all it takes to get back into spec, and much easier than adjusting all 4. To get the best alignment on a lifted vehicle, takes more work.

FWIW, with Total Chaos UCAs and about 2.5-3" lift, I am running about 5.4 caster and still well within spec on camber, but a little bit negative.

Just checked, both rear cam tabs are maxed out toward the outside of the vehicle. Also looking at the other allingnment specs, they were only able to get that 2º caster on the right side by keeping some slightly positive camber on that side. Something must be bent. Just gotta figure out what

 

[Jeremy556]

Just checked, both rear cam tabs are maxed out toward the outside of the vehicle. Also looking at the other allingnment specs, they were only able to get that 2º caster on the right side by keeping some slightly positive camber on that side. Something must be bent. Just gotta figure out what

Likely culprits are spindle or LCA. The repair manual I have only has 3d measurements for the coil bucket and frame, unfortunately. I would start measuring distances between known points on the spindles and LCAs, then compare them to the other side to see what is bent.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Wait... what are you running for UCA? can't you tweak them a little or are your's non-adjustable?

 

[dereky]

If the spindle is bent you might be able to see some flaking paint if it was recent.

 

[Troymclure]

Wait... what are you running for UCA? can't you tweak them a little or are your's non-adjustable?

Running Camburg uniball arms, non adjustable.

If the spindle is bent you might be able to see some flaking paint if it was recent.

Thats a good idea, Ill see if theres any loose paint. Might not be bent enough to cause it to happen though.

Tomorrow Ill try to find a common point to measure off of and see if I can figure out whats bent

 

[gm350reratliff]

On my 5th gen I just installed some Icon COs with Camburg UCAs. I was kind of bummed when I could get 4 degrees on the driver side but only 2.3 on the passenger side. I maxed the caster on the passenger side and set the driver side to match. Even with the low caster, it drives really good and doesn't wander or pull at all. I'm almost thinking there is something up with these Camburg UCAs. If I was to do it over, I'd probably go with the Icon or TC arms. Hell, even the LR arms on my 4th gen it was easy to get 4+ degrees of caster.

With the caster split you have, does your 4runner pull at all?

 

[Troymclure]

On my 5th gen I just installed some Icon COs with Camburg UCAs. I was kind of bummed when I could get 4 degrees on the driver side but only 2.3 on the passenger side. I maxed the caster on the passenger side and set the driver side to match. Even with the low caster, it drives really good and doesn't wander or pull at all. I'm almost thinking there is something up with these Camburg UCAs. If I was to do it over, I'd probably go with the Icon or TC arms. Hell, even the LR arms on my 4th gen it was easy to get 4+ degrees of caster.

With the caster split you have, does your 4runner pull at all?

That is weird. I think this is the first allignment Ive had done since the new arms, its possible its always been like that. Mine doesnt pull, but it seems if I turn the wheel one way, it doesnt correct back to straight as much as it should.

I still wanna crawl under there though, and see if I can find anything bent, just havent had time with all this rain.