Is My Alignment OK? - Numbers...

[hkollie1]

So...I ripped off the XREAS system because it had failed and I used the "loosen the eccentric" method to get the Lower A Arm down to receive the front Shock. after putting on the FJ Coils and Bilsteins on my 2003 SE, I took it in for a lifetime alignment.

It drives just fine and the shop did not call anything to my attention...however upon review of the sheet (and prompting about my alignment numbers from a fellow T4R member...I am posting these to see if I can learn something:

The Numbers in Red are out of Spec.

Sorry for the formatting, I was having troubles!

Specified Range

Camber -0.9 to 0.6
Caster -2.5 to 4.0
Toe -0.04 to 0.13
SAI 11.9 to 13.
Included Angle 11.0 to 14.0
Turning Angel Diff

Front Left *
Actual Before
Camber 0.3 0.4
Caster 2.1 2.2
Toe 0.08 0.11
SAI 11.7 11.7
Included Angle 12.0 12.1

Front Right *
Actual Before
Camber 0.4 0.6
Caster 2.5 2.7
Toe -0.01 0.5
SAI 11.4 11.2
Included Angle 11.8 11.8

FRONT

Specified Range Actual Before
Cross Camber -0.8 to 0.8 -0.1 -0.3
Cross Caster -0.8 to 0.8 -0.3 -0.5
Cross SAI -0.8 to 0.8 0.3 0.6
Total Toe -0.08 to 0.25 0.08 0.16


Rear Left Rear Right
Actual Before Actual Before
Camber -0.3 -0.3 -0.3 -0.3
Toe 0.01 0.01 -0.11 -0.13


REAR
Actual Before
Cross Camber 0.0 0.0
Total Toe -0.10 -0.12
Thrust Angle 0.06 0.07

 

[ClockWork]

Your pictures are not visible.

 

[hkollie1]

Pictures

Maybe this is easier to read?

 

[Sungod]

I assume that was just a check. It doesn't look like anything was adjusted. I hope you didn't pay for it.

****Just reread where it says you have a lifetime alignment. That explains why nothing was adjusted. The number look good for the most part. Caster is a little low, but still in spec. I would like to see it near the higher end of the spec. If you notice it wandering or not tracking great, that is probably the reason, but total toe looks good and that is what will cause your tires to wear.

 

[sonerick]

I assume that was just a check. It doesn't look like anything was adjusted. I hope you didn't pay for it.

****Just reread where it says you have a lifetime alignment. That explains why nothing was adjusted. The number look good for the most part. Caster is a little low, but still in spec. I would like to see it near the higher end of the spec. If you notice it wandering or not tracking great, that is probably the reason, but total toe looks good and that is what will cause your tires to wear.

+1

Since you have lifetime alignment, I would take it back to them and see if you can have them max out the caster (but try to keep it within +/- 0.1 side to side).

FWIW, Bilstein's website recommends that camber be set at 0 and toe be set to 0.04. The tech that aligned my truck was able to hit both these numbers almost dead on, even without aftermarket UCAs.

 

[Acidmeld]

Here are the numbers you should get to:

Caster 2.3-2.5
Camber -0.2-0.0
Toe 0.02-0.04
Keep the specs even on both sides.

I wouldnt accept anything less than perfect from an alignment.

 

[hkollie1]

Thanks - that is the guidance I was looking for. Also note that the numbers are all in order Camber, Caster, Toe. top to bottom.

It does seem that some adjustment was completed, the numbers from Before to Actual did change in some areas.

 

[hkollie1]

So I had the alignment redone today....

CAMBER
0.4L 0.3R

CASTER
2.6L 2.6R

TOE
0.04L 0.04R

SAI
11.5L 11.9R

INCLUDED ANGLE
11.9L 12.2R

Thats the best they could do.

Also the previous alignment tech had left something untorqued...!

 

[ClockWork]

Moar Caster.

 

[Acidmeld]

I would see if they can get your camber closer to zero but you don't want your caster to get much lower. I would be fairly happy with those numbers. Being lifted reduces caster so right around 2.5 is about the best you can hope for without the other angles going out of spec. As the numbers are now you may see a bit of outside edge wear over the life of your tires but not a lot. If the truck feels skittish you should take it back but if not then you're good.

 

[Miggles]

Long time lurker, first time poster, and alignment novice.

Got an alignment and noticed the rear toe seems really off to the point that it may be throwing off my thrust angle. The backend seems a little squirrely on snow and ice (like it's yawing about a vertical axis). It's a 2004 SR5 with a solid rear axle. One shop didn't think much of it and called it curb damage while the other said everything was fine.

I'm not sure if I'm staring down an axle replacement. Maybe it's squirrely because it has 240k miles and factory shocks on back (previous owner never replaced from what I see). Those are to be replaced next.

Print out of alignment specs:

Looking for thoughts on how bad the rear thrust and rear toe actually are. Thanks!