Is there a way to troubleshoot my caster alignment issue?

[Bryanmc]

I've owned my 2007 2WD SR5 for almost a year and when I've had it aligned the right caster has always been a bit out of spec but was manageable.

I just had the right tie-rod replaced and now the caster is more out of line than ever before and the tech says this is the best he can do.

It now pulls like crazy and I find it undrivable.

Right after I got the vehicle I replaced the front struts and springs but I don't know if the caster issue was there before that or not.

What would be the procedure for figuring out why the right caster issue exists and how to fix it?

Attached is the latest alignment report.

 

[amalik]

I'm thinking you need to get your money back and find a new alignment shop, personally.
[MENTION=102597]IBallEngineer[/MENTION]

 

[Bryanmc]

I have lifetime alignment at Firestone so I can take it to another shop and see what they think, but I've been told that this means there's something physical out of alignment somewhere and parts would need to start being replaced to find it.

 

[NinjaOne]

Tie rod replacement won't impact your caster.

Your spring/shock replacement might IF you lifted >2.5" of lift. Tech needs to explain why that was the best he could do, imo it shouldn't have left the shop with those numbers. With caster that low, the tech should be explaining why it can't go to factory specs and what parts would need to be replaced. Typical suspect parts would be LCA bushings or cams or bent spindle/shock (less common)

I would go back to Firestone and ask them to re-align it. Being nice goes about it goes a long way. Be firm and persistent

 

[Bryanmc]

Thanks. I know these guys pretty well and they spent a long time working on it today to try and get it right. I don't know if taking it back to them will do much.

I think I'll take it to another Firestone for a second opinion, see if their guys can get it closer or not.

 

[alia176]

Check to see if any physical damage took place in that area. Look for bent or damaged items.

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[RonJR]

Assuming you don't have a lift, I don't think it's possible for the alignment shop to even adjust the caster that far out if all of the parts are in spec. Caster that far out means either a blown LCA bushing, a bent UCA or LCA, or a bad ball joint. In any case, you need to get your vehicle to a shop that can diagnose the problem. Probably either a Toyota dealer or a good independent front-end shop that knows Toyota trucks. Frankly, I wouldn't drive it in that condition without knowing what the problem actually is.

Places like Firestone can do a good job of alignment when all of the front end parts are good, but they can't be experts on all vehicle front ends to be able to diagnose issues like what you are seeing.

 

[Bryanmc]

Follow up:

Took it to another Firestone and they took a look and said straight up:

"I don't know what the $&@! the other store was thinking."

Here's how it sits now;

 

[NinjaOne]

Follow up:

Took it to another Firestone and they took a look and said straight up:

"I don't know what the $&@! the other store was thinking."

Here's how it sits now;

Looks much better. Firestone didn't tighten the LCA cams on me, shifted 1° of caster in two weeks of pavement driving on one side. Claimed I was maxed on caster. Took it to another Firestone and gained an additional 1° of caster after they stated they don't do custom/lifted alignments and almost refused to touch it.

 

[IBallEngineer]

Glad you got that fixed without hitting the original tech over the head with a dead fish. :fish:The rear readings were what created at least part of his problem, most likely he didn't get ANY accurate readings. The first report you posted showed almost a .5 Thrust angle and horrifically negative toe. That would cause your truck to drive in circles. So unless you had a destroyed trailing arm bushing, it was most likely erroneous. Which takes all the credibility away from any of his readings, even Caster. This isn't rocket science, but sadly some of these so called techs act as if it is. I deal with it almost daily, here is the call I get a few times a month. "I set everything in green and the car still pulls, the aligner must need calibration! " Oy

:deadhorse:

 

[amalik]

yeah it's weird how Firestone's differ from one another. I've had the same experience.

 

[alia176]

Follow up:

Took it to another Firestone and they took a look and said straight up:

"I don't know what the $&@! the other store was thinking."

Here's how it sits now;

This has happened to me before, not to this extent. I'd show this to the manager of the first store so that he can help out his tech from having the same issue on others. Could be equipment or training issue but he needs the feedback for the sake of his store's bottom line.

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[blackoutt]

Looks much better. Firestone didn't tighten the LCA cams on me, shifted 1° of caster in two weeks of pavement driving on one side. Claimed I was maxed on caster. Took it to another Firestone and gained an additional 1° of caster after they stated they don't do custom/lifted alignments and almost refused to touch it.

Hm, I drove for a couple weeks with loose LCA bolts before I found and tightened. I wonder if they shifted all.... time to go make them give me the free check.

 

[NinjaOne]

Hm, I drove for a couple weeks with loose LCA bolts before I found and tightened. I wonder if they shifted all.... time to go make them give me the free check.

Yeah, I'm taking mine in for another free check as well in a couple weeks. Pretty sure nothing shifted this time but given their record I want to verify

 

[alia176]

Hm, I drove for a couple weeks with loose LCA bolts before I found and tightened. I wonder if they shifted all.... time to go make them give me the free check.

Well it's easy enough to check with a torque wrench, which is something the shops would do with a rattle gun.

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[jrm]

Amazing how Workmanship and Skillset

Follow up:

Took it to another Firestone and they took a look and said straight up:

"I don't know what the $&@! the other store was thinking."

Here's how it sits now;

can change between two stores in the same chain..I had the same thing happen :deadhorse:

 

[blackoutt]

Yes I'll make them re-align it if the measurements shifted because they left them loose last time then I'll torque them to spec in the parking lot.