A Couple Nagging Issues Following OME 2.5" Lift Install

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ElJayBird

ElJayBird

10 Year
Joined
Aug 28, 2015
Threads
72
Messages
776
Location
Tacoma, WA
I'm having some alignment issues following my OME install. The truck still pulls to the right even after an alignment. It's not terrible but it's definitely noticeable at highway speeds. If I take my hands off the wheel, I'll be in the next lane within a second or two. I took it back to the shop today and they put it back on the rack and the results are attached. Basically the caster at 19.6* is what I'm mostly concerned with but I'm also curious why it still pulls when toe is perfect? I've checked tire pressure and each tire is at exactly 45lbs.

Edit: Also forgot to mention that I installed Slee caster bushings when I did the lift.

The other issue is spring selection. I went with OME heavies in front and medium rear. I measured the height all the way around the truck

Equipment is:
ARB Bull Bar
Smittybuilt Winch with Synthetic Rope
OPOR Sliders (80lbs each)
Slee Rear Bumper with Tire Carrier and Spare 295/70/17 Tire

Height measurements from ground to bottom of fender flare show a .75" delta between f&r:
Front passenger and driver: 38"
Rear passenger and driver: 37.25"

I'm considering swapping the front spring out for medium to match the rear? Would this help with the castor issue a bit? I'm also thinking this would make for a softer ride which isn't a bad thing...BUT may be an issue later on when I add a new rack and RTT.

OR Swapping the rear with heavy?

What to do for caster correction? The Slee caster plate kit looks like it's for 4"+ and the install looks pretty involved.

I have ~2500 mile trip coming up in May and really want to have the truck dialed in before we take off. Could really use some guidance and wisdom - this board have been such an incredible resource for me so far and I can't thank you guys enough.

Where to go from here?

Screen Shot 2017-03-22 at 4.28.05 PM.webp
 
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Depending on how soon you do a RTT, and if you leave it installed more than not - I'd stick to heavies over softer.

Some other guy had a thread yest about his new OME lift & his RTT feeling soft & wallowing- you migh dig around a bit, maybe PM him as I bet he's selling his soft springs.
 
half k cruiser said:
So the truck pulled to the right before the lift, but is worse now ?
Click to expand...

No, it only started pulling after the lift. It was darting a bit before the caster and steering stabilizer. It doesn't dart around anymore but it's still pulling. Definitely not pulling as bad as it was before the alignment. I'm wondering if there is something else going on. Nothing looks bent that I can see.

Could an over-tightened wheel bearing cause the pull?

Is 1.2 & 1.4 deg of caster even worth worrying about?
 
LINUS said:
Depending on how soon you do a RTT, and if you leave it installed more than not - I'd stick to heavies over softer.

Some other guy had a thread yest about his new OME lift & his RTT feeling soft & wallowing- you migh dig around a bit, maybe PM him as I bet he's selling his soft springs.
Click to expand...

Agreed - after reading a little more, it sounds like the 2863 spring is the way to go.
 
Yep, caster is way off. You need a couple of degrees more.

Frank
 
landtank said:
Your caster is left= .8 and right= .4, it ideally should be 3.

What is the measurement from the hub Center to the bottom side of the flare. Only care about the front.
Click to expand...

I need to do this tomorrow when I have more light. The measurements don't make sense. The passenger side is ~22" but the driver side is almost 23". That can't be right
 
The springs are side specific. A on the US passenger side, B on the driver side. Swapping them would result in a "lean."
 
chap79 said:
The springs are side specific. A on the US passenger side, B on the driver side. Swapping them would result in a "lean."
Click to expand...

Pretty sure they're on the correct side but I'll check in the morning. I recall it being backwards when I was installing them. Would be a relief if that's all it is.
 
ElJayBird said:
Caster bushings have been installed so I'm wondering why it's so far off? I wonder if the shop that did the bushing installed them incorrectly?
Click to expand...

A little late now, but this is why I prefer the castor plates. You can't F them up. They also don't cost enough more to make them unreasonable.

landtank said:
Check the rears as well

I personally pay no attention to yhe labels. I just pair them up and put the longer ones on the left side of the truck.

Why OME has made such a mess about the labels is beyond me
Click to expand...

Agree on this. You never know if they mean US drivers side, or what the left right correlates to. I just line them up on a concrete pad.
 
Does anyone have a picture of their caster bushings installed so I can check that the metal sleeves in the bushing are oriented correctly?
 
Not me, pulled from slee
 
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