Alignment shops?

[lechnito]

What alignment shops do you guys like?

My steering has never been great after I installed my OME lift last year. I plan to install a ubolt flip kit in the next few weeks which would be a good opportunity to install some caster shims. Before I pull the trigger on some shims, I want to swing by an alignment shop that can accurately measure my caster angles.

Any recommendations?

 

[Rustic76]

Personally, being a solid axle vehicle, I think u’d be throwing away your hard earned money. All you need is to take a look at your pinion angle using a cheap gauge.

Do you still have the stock length shackles? If so, just get a pair of steel 2 or 3 degree shims. There shouldn’t be any way you would need any larger than that unless you have shackles a few inches larger than stock length.

All else fails, call Georg or Kurt and ask what size they recommend to clean up the steering.

 

[lechnito]

Got any advice for how to measure pinion angle at home? I was under the impression that it took a fancy-schmancy computer to do with accuracy.

I installed the old man emu greasable anti-inversion shackles and threw the old ones out after I damaged them during removal.

 

[Rustic76]

Johnson Magnetic Angle Locator-700 - The Home Depot

One like this will give you the measurement your looking for. Just hold it up flat against the pinion flange and see what degree your at. All that fancy laser alignment equipment is for modern vehicles with independent suspension where camber and caster can be adjusted.

The simplicity of our cruisers is a beautiful thing.

 

[jmcclusk]

I just did the ubolt flip and shimming, and I just downloaded an angle measuring app to my phone and made sure when i touched it to things it was just on a flat spot, no buttons or lumps throwing it off. It's surprisingly accurate. I bought steel shims from Oregon Auto Springs Services Inc on Stark street and SE 10th.

I still have the to do the rear.... just reminded me... Oregon springs is only open M-F till 5pm btw

 

[lechnito]

Thanks @Rustic76 and @jmcclusk!

I picked up an Empire magnetic angle finder for $10 yesterday but haven't gotten around to measuring anything yet. Good to know I can buy some shims locally.

So for both front and rear, I need to measure the angles of the pinion and the transfer case? Should I be making any other measurements while I'm at it?

 

[Rustic76]

Lechnito, you just need to unbolt the front driveshaft from the front pinion flange and measure the angle with the tool flat against the pinion flange. No need to mess with the rear. My money is on 2-3 degree shims at most.

It’s nice to clean up that feeling of the cruiser wandering all over the road.

 

[lechnito]

Looks like 79 degrees to me on the front flange:

@Rustic76, any thoughts on whether I should be looking for a shim?

 

[Rustic76]

Is that measurement taken on level ground? It is my understanding that factory pinion angle (which should produce factory spec caster) would be 0 or 90 degrees on that device. The million dollar question is what degree of tilt will bring it back to 90...(I’m not a math guy)

Reading on the subject it seems to be that’s every cruiser and owner have a different feel they like and it’s a bit trial and error. Personally, If I were you I’d install a set of 2 or 3 degree shims and see if it improves to your liking. I wouldn’t go any larger. I installed a set (I think 6 degrees) on my fj45 that has large front shackles and it numbed the hell out of the steering and made it brutal. Also made me realize other issues were at work which made steering bad in the first place (worn steering gearbox).

I saw a few folks recommending to rotate the two front tires and see if that helps to start with.

Also if you do go with shims, make sure the fat side is mounted toward the front of the cruiser. Some folks get that switched around.

 

[lechnito]

@Rustic76, yeah the measurement was taken with all 4 tires on the ground in my garage. Thanks again for the advice! I'll ask around the main 60 series forum to see if there are any other ideas out there.

Did you ever get your FJ45 steering box rebuilt locally? I'm pretty sure mine is likely worn out as the PO cranked down the adjustment nut to the max.

 

[Rustic76]

I haven’t gotten it rebuilt. It is the original 1966 one piece box. I plan on removing it in favor of a full power steering conversion, along with a newer disc brake front axle one of these years.

If you do need a rebuild, I’ve heard West Texas Off-road is the place to send it. Not cheap though

 

[lechnito]

I installed some 3* shims from Oregon Springs today and holy crap -- the steering on my 62 is suddenly awesome! It's still a tractor with aspirations of being an SUV, but the steering input dead-zone is gone and it no longer wants to drift all over the highway if given the chance.

Thanks @jmcclusk and @Rustic76 for helping me out on this thread!

 

[Rustic76]

Nice! Good steering is a game changer. Glad to help.

 

[jmcclusk]

glad it worked out!