Alignment Advice (1 Viewer)

[aptos]

I'm looking for some alignment advice. Sorry to start another alignment thread, but I've read through as many as I can with search. I have a 2" Dobinsons MRA lift with Dobinsons UCA. I'm getting some tire wear on the outer edges, squeaking on the pavement when turning sharp at low speeds, and things feel pretty squirrelly when hitting a bump/pothole on the freeway. I'm taking the LC in for an alignment tomorrow, what would you recommend asking the tech to change?

Here are the specs after the most recent alignment about 6 months ago after installing lift. Based on what I have read so far, I think I would have been happier had they just corrected the toe.

 

[Artie]

What type of shop is doing this work, a regular tire shop or a specialty shop? I originally went to a regular tire place and everything was in the green but it didn’t stay that way for long so a few days later I went to a 4x4 specialist and the experience was night and day. You’ll definitely want someone who is familiar with how to square up a lifted truck.

 

[aptos]

What type of shop is doing this work, a regular tire shop or a specialty shop? I originally went to a regular tire place and everything was in the green but it didn’t stay that way for long so a few days later I went to a 4x4 specialist and the experience was night and day. You’ll definitely want someone who is familiar with how to square up a lifted truck.

This was done by a 4x4 specialty shop. Trying out another 4x4 place tomorrow

 

[Artie]

This was done by a 4x4 specialty shop. Trying out another 4x4 place tomorrow

Good luck and let us know how it goes. A good shop will work with you to get the results you’re after. I found that it’s hard to ask for numbers from other trucks and expect those to work on yours. They are all a little different so to really dial yours in may take a couple attempts. I’m going to take mine back before our next big trip in December and see if I can get a little more caster, mines close but needs a little something.

 

[xeuxaz]

Interested to see the after results and hear your review.

 

[aptos]

Good luck and let us know how it goes. A good shop will work with you to get the results you’re after. I found that it’s hard to ask for numbers from other trucks and expect those to work on yours. They are all a little different so to really dial yours in may take a couple attempts. I’m going to take mine back before our next big trip in December and see if I can get a little more caster, mines close but needs a little something.

I appreciate the input. I think finding the right shop is key. Hoping the new one will be a good fit! Someone trusted them with their Earthroamer so that seems like a good sign. Dropped the truck off tonight with a note explaining some of the issues and asking to keep the caster on the higher side. I’ll report back

I got a trustworthy recommendation for a shop about an hour away. I was hoping to avoid going up there but that’s my next stop if this doesn’t work out.

 

[vipergrhd]

You want as much positive caster and just a little bit of negative camber, Caster is a non wearing angle so it's ok to be out of specs. camber on the other hand will chew up tires. Do you have a rear track bar? I noticed the after reading is different, is the rear independent suspension? Give it as much toe in possible being an AWD vehicle.

 

[aptos]

You want as much positive caster and just a little bit of negative camber, Caster is a non wearing angle so it's ok to be out of specs. camber on the other hand will chew up tires. Do you have a rear track bar? I noticed the after reading is different, is the rear independent suspension? Give it as much toe in possible being an AWD vehicle.

I don’t know why the rear changed. I have an adjustable panhard and pck, stock other than that. Not independent in the rear. I didn’t think they would touch the rear so I missed that.

 

[vipergrhd]

I don’t know why the rear changed. I have an adjustable panhard and pck, stock other than that. Not independent in the rear. I didn’t think they would touch the rear so I missed that.

Just use it for reference when you get another reading, Just for chits, ask the shop if they could set the adjustments with a person on the driver seat close to your weight and get a full tank of gas if you drive with a passenger it's also a good idea to have someone sitting there too. You will get a different reading for sure, i use to align my vehicles like this.

 

[aptos]

Just use it for reference when you get another reading, Just for chits, ask the shop if they could set the adjustments with a person on the driver seat close to your weight and get a full tank of gas if you drive with a passenger it's also a good idea to have someone sitting there too. You will get a different reading for sure, i use to align my vehicles like this.

Good to know, thanks for the tips

 

[vipergrhd]

When you did the lift did you loosen up all the control arms and links? Did you torque it to specs.?

 

[aptos]

When you did the lift did you loosen up all the control arms and links? Did you torque it to specs.?

Yeah, I am pretty confident in the install. I just think the first alignment shop got it in the green and called it good

 

[aptos]

Well, there's not a lot to report back. This shop only adjusted the toe even though I asked for caster closer to 4 degrees. They said the only reason to do that is if you're rubbing on the body mount and the truck drives well. It's tough to find a shop that cares about your vehicle as much as you do!

I need LCAs in the near future so I'm going to keep things as is and try the shop an hour away that was recommended to me after replacing those.

 

[Artie]

I need LCAs in the near future

LCA ball joint boot issue?

 

[aptos]

LCA ball joint boot issue?

Yeah, time for new ball joints. The boots are leaking quite of grease. Bushings are cracked too. I have an 08 with almost 150,000 miles so it’s time

 

[vipergrhd]

Well, there's not a lot to report back. This shop only adjusted the toe even though I asked for caster closer to 4 degrees. They said the only reason to do that is if you're rubbing on the body mount and the truck drives well. It's tough to find a shop that cares about your vehicle as much as you do!

I need LCAs in the near future so I'm going to keep things as is and try the shop an hour away that was recommended to me after replacing those.

Did you discuss the issues with the service writer or talked to the mechanic? So they just took your money, I would bring it up with the person in charge if you want it done right. Could you post up the readings?

 

[aptos]

Did you discuss the issues with the service writer or talked to the mechanic? So they just took your money, I would bring it up with the person in charge if you want it done right. Could you post up the readings?

Thanks for the advice, but I think in this case it's better to not waste anymore time with them. Service writer seemed to genuinely think that caster was only for tire clearance. Toe had moved out of spec after I removed a shock for maintenance and they fixed that, so they did not just take my money. I was just hoping to get the alignment dialed in better when they were fixing that issue for me, but they are a toe and go shop apparently. Won't be back for future service, but I will probably call to speak with a manager tomorrow to ask why they didn't attempt to raise the caster or decrease the positive camber like I asked.

 

[linuxgod]

Your caster is fine. A bit higher is typically preferred for lifted trucks but 3.2 to 3.4 degrees should handle nicely. If you’re having issues with the vehicle not tracking right it sounds like it’s because your ball joints are worn. I needed new upper ball joints on my SPC arms after 75k. The truck felt like it was wandering on the highway and not as precise steering. New uppers fixed that. OEM joints seem to last longer.

 

[aptos]

Your caster is fine. A bit higher is typically preferred for lifted trucks but 3.2 to 3.4 degrees should handle nicely. If you’re having issues with the vehicle not tracking right it sounds like it’s because your ball joints are worn. I needed new upper ball joints on my SPC arms after 75k. The truck felt like it was wandering on the highway and not as precise steering. New uppers fixed that. OEM joints seem to last longer.

Uppers are good, I put new dobinsons UCAs on 6 months ago. It is time for new lowers though. Those will go on soon, hoping that helps.

My biggest concern is when you hit a bump on the highway while turning, like rough patch on 80 near Tahoe, it is really hard to control. It feels like the steering wheel jumps out of your hand. I wasn't sure if it could be addressed through the alignment, but I don’t think it’s a caster issue. I just wanted caster higher based on posts from other forum posts.

 

[linuxgod]

Uppers are good, I put new dobinsons UCAs on 6 months ago. It is time for new lowers though. Those will go on soon, hoping that helps.

My biggest concern is when you hit a bump on the highway while turning, like rough patch on 80 near Tahoe, it is really hard to control. It feels like the steering wheel jumps out of your hand. I wasn't sure if it could be addressed through the alignment, but I don’t think it’s a caster issue. I just wanted caster higher based on posts from other forum posts.

Here is my alignment done at Slee. I would call this ideal for a lifted truck, but if your caster is a half degree lower and your camber is 1/4 degree higher or a tenth or so lower I don’t think it will have a huge impact on handling.

Your issue sounds like a loose balljoint, given my experience. When they are worn your handling will be squirrelly. Swap them and get a new alignment