Alignment questions and binding noise help

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OK, So here is the follow-up. Went to one of Total Chaos' recommended.qualified shops. These guys sell and build trophy trucks using this stuff. Really cool shop. They told me it is their experience with TC UCA's on Tundra's and Tacoma's that the numbers rarely ever end within "factory spec" due to the way the arms are built and that TC doesn't really publish alignment specs for their arms. So we talked about what I want and need. They realigned everything for me. On paper, everything is within spec except caster. However, they did the alignment for off-road performance. It definitely feels way better AND I only get some minor rub in flex now. The spacers I am running is the cause for that. Looks like I will be triming the fender liner and bending down the pinch weld.

Like I said the shop was really cool. They are all about desert runners and trophy trucks but do all toyota/lex maint. So great shop! They only charged me $60 for everything. Then around 8:30 tonight they called to check in and see what I thought of the ride and told me if I want to adjust things more to bring it back in and they will do it for free!

I am headed out to Anzo Borrego in the AM to meet up with some other hundy's and other cruisers for the weekend. I will follow up with how things feel when I get back!
 
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Great! Sounds like you have found another good Land Cruiser shop in San Diego. I wonder how they compare in prices to SD Trux.
 
SanDiegoCruiser said:
Great! Sounds like you have found another good Land Cruiser shop in San Diego. I wonder how they compare in prices to SD Trux.
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My gut tells me they are lower in price. SD Trux is a little pricey IMHO. I have seen this place recommended over on expo Portal. The place is called "The Truck Shop". Gotta love that!

The Truck Shop - San Diego - Toyota, Lexus, Scion

They also told me I should replace my Steering rack bushings. I just did the Big one with OEM to see if it would help. They highly recommended the Poly bushings and suggested I checked with Slee....
 
Well, I'm back after a weekend running around in the desert. Truck alignment felt great and handled wonderfully! I opened her up to close to 60mph on some of the trails and everything was smooth! No twitchy feeling or anything. I am however still getting some rubbing. But that is all due to the 1 1/4" spacers. It still gets a slight rub at the back of the wheel well and just barely at the top of the wheel well when in flex. I can explore a few different options to eliminate the rub:

  1. Run 1" spacers to give clearance around the remote res and clear the rubbing at the top of the wheel well. I would still need to trim the back of the fender liner and bend the pinch weld out of the way.
  2. Try a 10mm spacer like Spresso is running. Again I need to source those. Need to send Dan a message.
  3. don't run any spacers, get new longer hoses and fittings and try relocating my Reservoirs yet again to some location that I wont get rubbing.

Any other thoughts or ideas while I weigh my options?
 
Thanks Dan!

Question, I assume the 10mm ones would still allow me to use the hub wheel studs and lug nuts right? I wouldnt bolt these to the hub and then the wheel to the spacer like the 1 1/4" spacers I am using now right? Sorry, I am new to spacers!

Do you or anyone else know the largest size spacer you can run without having to bolt the spacer to the hub and then the wheel to the spacer? Thanks!
 
I would like to run a small spacer as well upfront. With my front lift the front wheels sit tucked inside the wheel well pretty well. I'd love to push them out a little further but without going 1" spacer.
 
Mxndrnks said:
Thanks Dan!

Question, I assume the 10mm ones would still allow me to use the hub wheel studs and lug nuts right? I wouldnt bolt these to the hub and then the wheel to the spacer like the 1 1/4" spacers I am using now right? Sorry, I am new to spacers!

Do you or anyone else know the largest size spacer you can run without having to bolt the spacer to the hub and then the wheel to the spacer? Thanks!
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Well as you can imagine/know there are varying opinions on using spacers and/or spacer adapters of any kind. However we calculated 10mm would be acceptable as it relates to the remaining # of threads to properly secure the lug nuts: YMMV. FWIW I have experienced zero torque issues (loosening) with running these 10mm thick spacers up front.

Spacers just simply slip over the studs and are sandwiched/held in place by the wheel. No adapter whatsoever. You therefore, with a spacer, are reducing the number of threads (10mm in my example) the lug nut interfaces with.

Spacer adapters OTOH are like you are currently running up front. The adapter bolts to the OEM studs and then the wheel is held in place to the adapter spacer via its own studs. AFAIK 1"/25mm are the thinnest available for our rigs. I, quite a few years ago, heard someone offered 7/8" thick but I could never confirm it.

In a perfect world I think 13-15mm would be ideal...for ~2" front height lift on our rigs. Again just my opinion and $.02...and maybe all its worth :)
 
I appreciate the opinions Dan!!! Next question logically.... are there longer studs available so that we could run say a 13-15mm spacer? I was originally thinking something in the 12-13mm would be perfect.
 
The link in my post above lists longer studs for the 100-Series. However longer studs opens an even bigger can of worms that would be worthy of sound engineering advice. Its possible this info could be derived from Motorsport/BORA...

I'm interested in hearing what you discover regarding the feasibility of running 15mm longer studs to accommodate us.
 
With longer studs, you might have to switch to open end lug nuts... since they might not have the exact length needed.

Check with Wildsmith. I believe he runs 20mm wheel adapters (spacer with it's own bolts) on stock alloy wheels.
 
hoser said:
With longer studs, you might have to switch to open end lug nuts... since they might not have the exact length needed.

Check with Wildsmith. I believe he runs 20mm wheel adapters (spacer with it's own bolts) on stock alloy wheels.
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Cut off wheel or a bandsaw would make quick work of that ;)
 
FYI: I just spoke to Motorsport...they're in Reno/Sparks...and he said they just need an OEM stud to verify the stud base...then he'll quote me a price for same.

He did say 15mm longer stud would not pose a significant reduction and/or strength compromise. FWIW.

So since they're local I'll order a stud from our local Toyota dealer then take it over there and report back what I find out.
 
Not 100% sure but I think these specs are correct.

Type : Seratted Stud
Thread : M14-1.50
Knurl Dia. : 16.50mm
Length : 45.1mm
Shoulder Length : 15.4mm
Head Code : 10.9
 
ebod said:
Hey, did you fix the binding/popping noise? If so, what did it turn out to be?
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Not really, but it hasnt been doing it since getting it re-aligned. However, there is a lot of movement in my rack when turning due to the smaller rack bushings being shot. Even though I replaced the tie rod ends and the big D bushing on the passenger side (with oem) it still is moving more than it should. So, I have ordered a set of the poly bushings from OBT and will be replacing those. The bracket that holds the big D bushing on the PS loos like crap. So I am going to order that and replace it too. Looks slightly bent to me. So, a new one will put my mind at ease. See pic:

34j6erd.jpg

mino5g.jpg


Hopefully this will resolve everything. If not, then the next step is to replace the rack. But, we feel it is probably something to do with the rack being loose or on it's way out.
 
spressomon said:
FYI: I just spoke to Motorsport...they're in Reno/Sparks...and he said they just need an OEM stud to verify the stud base...then he'll quote me a price for same.

He did say 15mm longer stud would not pose a significant reduction and/or strength compromise. FWIW.

So since they're local I'll order a stud from our local Toyota dealer then take it over there and report back what I find out.
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Maybe I should wait to see what you come back with before I order anything... Hmmmm:hhmm:
 
Well...I bought a wheel stud today (front) and took it over to Motorsports. The best they could do was a stud that was 20 thou under. So we need to keep searching.
 
spressomon said:
Well...I bought a wheel stud today (front) and took it over to Motorsports. The best they could do was a stud that was 20 thou under. So we need to keep searching.
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Thanks for the update Dan! Looks like I am going to just go with the tried and true 10mm spacer and see if it gives me the extra room I need around the reservoir.
 
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