I have a `98 with 198k on it. Back in June I put on Camberg upper arms and a set of DR coilovers. It was done in a hurry after work one night. The guy I bought the stuff from helped me because he needed the stock struts. He said they were adjusted for 2 1/2 in lift. Again, I was in a hurry and didn't care. It drove fine. I drove it like this until last week. I put on a winch and new lbj's, inner and outer tie rods. I took it over and had it aligned. Now it's all over the road. Ugh!! It follows grooves and feels like it wants to roll over when you try to correct it. It feels like it doesn't return to center when straightening out from turn. Yes, I have new sway bar bushings F&R. Caster off? I'll find the paper and post the specs.
New front end parts and it drives worst! WTF?!
- Thread starter Jedrattle
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19963.4lsr5
New member
get another wheel alignment
MojaveMadMan
New member
Poor alignment for sure!! I wouldn't even risk going back and giving them a 2nd chance, even if it is free. Do some digging and find a reputable local shop, or Firestone is always a decent chain place to go to.
Lot of tech's have trouble losing the lower control arm alignment adjuster bolts. Trick is to lose the bolt first. I saw two mechanics struggling to adjust the lower arms in my 4runner and later came to me as they did the alignment!
I have a life time alignment plan, so I told them to do it again and showed how to lose the bolts.
I have a life time alignment plan, so I told them to do it again and showed how to lose the bolts.
GottaBeTRD
New member
My guess is your steering rack. I did almost the same exact front end overhaul and after I noticed a ton more play in the steering wheel. It's drivable, but a little squirly on the road.
drabbits
New member
So it drove better without the alignment? If so, then there's you problem.... bad alignment.
I wonder how much money we all have lost to due to tech's not knowing the how to dial our lifts in. It's really not that hard to know how or have a database of these spec's.
I found a guy here in Los Angeles that did mine in 15min. for $60 and had no issues understanding what needed to be done, he even took it out for a drive. Thats what I will always expect from anyone doing my alignment.
mini rant. . ..
The rack is tight. Its at the same point.
drabbits said:
Well..It needed an alignment as it was wearing tires funny. I put the new lbjs and tie rods on it and I just eye balled it on the alignment as I had planned to take it to the goodyear store for an alignment right away. I put it on the trailer and delivered it. So I never drove it once the new parts were on until after the alignment.
One thing I should mention is I have LC springs in the rear and that gives it a stupid rake. I did adjust the coilovers up 3/4in yesterday. I have a `97 too that has 2.5 spacers up front and it sits higher. :nono: It is squirlly now. I drive it in the local mountains 3-4times a week..so I need good handling.
The specs.....
Left front Right front
-0.5 camber 0.4
2.3 caster 2.9
.12 toe .11
A slight adjustment of the steering wheel while in a corner makes it feel like the right front wheel is folding under the truck and makes the rear end want to come around. I am thinking it's combo problem now.
drabbits
New member
Well there's your problem, you didn't drive it to the shop!! haha j/k
I spent the last year trying to find a front end gremlin. Like you, as I started upgrading my front end, worn out parts became more evident. For instance, my steering rack needed to be replaced but it never felt like it did until I replaced the rack bushings. With the new bushing in place, the wear on the rack internals became very noticeable at highway speeds.
After installing LBJ, UPJ, inner and outer links, now my LCA bushings need replacing!
Not having a reliable front end really does take the spirit out of hitting the trails!
here's my alignment spec's, with a 3" lift. Hope this helps.
I spent the last year trying to find a front end gremlin. Like you, as I started upgrading my front end, worn out parts became more evident. For instance, my steering rack needed to be replaced but it never felt like it did until I replaced the rack bushings. With the new bushing in place, the wear on the rack internals became very noticeable at highway speeds.
After installing LBJ, UPJ, inner and outer links, now my LCA bushings need replacing!
Not having a reliable front end really does take the spirit out of hitting the trails!
here's my alignment spec's, with a 3" lift. Hope this helps.
