Alignment completed, looking for advice now. Looking for possible en route alignment shop between Little Rock, AR and St. George UT (6 Viewers)

[Artie]

Currently day one of a big road trip and I absolutely hate my alignment. It’s been ok but under weight with my trailer it’s become extra annoying. We’re burning through states headed West but will be around St, George UT Sunday and I would love to get this corrected if I can get squeezed in. Any suggestions are welcome. I’m betting St. George has options given the off road availability around there.

 

[MSLX]

If you haven't blown through Little Rock yet - try Austin Bros Tire. Good folks.

Auto Repair in Little Rock, AR | Austin Brothers Tire & Service

www.austinbrostire.com

 

[Artie]

If you haven't blown through Little Rock yet - try Austin Bros Tire. Good folks.

Auto Repair in Little Rock, AR | Austin Brothers Tire & Service

www.austinbrostire.com

Dang, we went through there earlier.

Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[clrussell]

Take about a 6-8 hour detour and we can knock it out for you in southern Mo.

I hope you can find somewhere along the way.

 

[Artie]

Take about a 6-8 hour detour and we can knock it out for you in southern Mo.

I hope you can find somewhere along the way.

I was thinking about your shop while driving through Birmingham.

 

[woody]

Mitchells in St George is who aligns all my stuff.

 

[Artie]

Mitchells in St George is who aligns all my stuff.

I found them on Google and have been eating until 8am local to call them. I’m glad to hear a recommendation for them on here. Seems like a plan is coming together.

 

[ravencr]

Probably needs more caster...is it loaded down in the back pretty well?

Chris

 

[Artie]

Probably needs more caster...is it loaded down in the back pretty well?

Chris

Yeah, we’re towing and rolling heavy. Part of this is my doing, I left my lady alignment not totally pleased with the caster numbers… one side had more than the other, and it was near closing time. The decision was made that I’ll drive it and I can come back if I had issues… I didn’t have issues but hadn’t been towing either. Alignments have been my kryptonite.

 

[ravencr]

Definitely add some caster and as even as possible and make sure your toe is 0 to slightly positive. Camber close to zero since you’re so loaded down and when unloaded it should be slightly negative.

Chris

 

[Artie]

Definitely add some caster and as even as possible and make sure your toe is 0 to slightly positive. Camber close to zero since you’re so loaded down and when unloaded it should be slightly negative.

Chris

Thanks for the advice, I’ll make a point to get it right this time.

 

[Artie]

Ok so I just wrapped up with Mitchell’s precision alignment and I really wish I had these guys closer to home. They aligned vehicle but also found that I have some bushing play on the rear of both LCA’s and bushing issues on the steering rack.

Currently sitting at 35955 miles but outside of warranty on time.

Give me some recommendations moving forward. I feel like I just replace with OEM bushings when I return home is a few weeks but I’m open to suggestions.

 

[clrussell]

Does it drive better now?

Does it seem to drive ok if you aren’t under acceleration?

 

[Artie]

Does it drive better now?

Does it seem to drive ok if you aren’t under acceleration?

Yes, it does drive better but I’m about to hitch up and really see what it does.

I had in my notes to square up the caster but did not get them the same but he said that where it’s at now should help. I really need to get more educated on suspension.

 

[clrussell]

Yes, it does drive better but I’m about to hitch up and really see what it does.

I had in my notes to square up the caster but did not get them the same but he said that where it’s at now should help. I really need to get more educated on suspension.

We always intentionally have more caster on passenger side than driver.

 

[kcjaz]

Probably needs more caster...is it loaded down in the back pretty well?

Chris

 

[TeCKis300]

Ah, that looks much better. The toe was out of control previously. I wonder if you're also doing the alignment now weighed down with stuff on your current trip? Still, should feel much much better.

I don't buy that your bushings are worn at that mileage. It's a Land Cruiser and it has robust bushings. Yet as a Land Cruiser, it also has large bushings for compliance in the rough stuff - which allows a certain level of play in all joints - very normal and healthy.

 

[Artie]

View attachment 3921533

Never enough

 

[Artie]

Ah, that looks much better. The toe was out of control previously. I wonder if you're also doing the alignment now weighed down with stuff on your current trip? Still, should feel much much better.

I don't buy that your bushings are worn at that mileage. It's a Land Cruiser and it has robust bushings. Yet as a Land Cruiser, it also has large bushings for compliance in the rough stuff - which allows a certain level of play in all joints - very normal and healthy.

Yeah, I was a little surprised to be greeted by the owner of the place with the first words out his mouth being “are you still under warranty?” Then describing the bushings. He said the same thing you did, “these usually don’t need replacing until 130k plus.”

I’m looking at my camper parked in the overflow of a hotel and it’s 85° and I’m about to hitch up. If I don’t die from exposure I’ll report back with the driving characteristics.

 

[Artie]

On the short drive back to the laundromat where I left my wife, completely out of her element, it does drive much better. Not perfect, still a slight pull to passenger side when applying power.

Idk if it’s bushing or if a perfect alignment isn’t possible given the weight, build, and use case of my cruiser. It’s also completely possible that this is how it drove when I got it new after all the modifications and I have forgotten. What I do know is that once the alignment went out the first time I’ve been chasing the dragon ever since.

How would I best test this bushing theory?