BP-51 install, pulling to the right

[mulebarn]

Hey folks,

I had a local shop install BP-51s and SPC control arms on my new 200, and now the truck pulls to the right under all road conditions. The ride height is set not much higher than factory. I’ve had it aligned twice, and the numbers seem to be spot on. What in the front suspension setup would be causing this, if the alignment numbers are in spec?

Thanks in advance.

Gino

 

[Sac Cerevisiae]

What are your alignment numbers?
Is the steering wheel centered and are you trying to hold it but it wants to pull?

 

[mulebarn]

What are your alignment numbers?
Is the steering wheel centered and are you trying to hold it but it wants to pull?

I don’t have the numbers in front of me, but they’re all “in the green” except for a couple that are a tiny bit out of that threshold. The steering wheel is centered, and the truck pulls to the right, so you have to counteract it with some amount of turning left.

Could it be that they didn’t adjust the SPC control arms properly, and thus no matter the alignment numbers, the truck can not be in true alignment without first proper adjustable control arm installation?

 

[Sac Cerevisiae]

I don’t have the numbers in front of me, but they’re all “in the green” except for a couple that are a tiny bit out of that threshold. The steering wheel is centered, and the truck pulls to the right, so you have to counteract it with some amount of turning left.

Could it be that they didn’t adjust the SPC control arms properly, and thus no matter the alignment numbers, the truck can not be in true alignment without first proper adjustable control arm installation?

“In the green” doesn’t always produce good driving characteristics.

At what speed do you notice the pull? Could it be the crown of the road?

 

[mulebarn]

“In the green” doesn’t always produce good driving characteristics.

At what speed do you notice the pull? Could it be the crown of the road?

Basically at any speed It’s noticeable. I’ve driven on the center of roads, freeways, and even the wrong side of the road to test the crown theory, and can rule that one out.

 

[DesertLC09]

In the UAE the roads are crowned. It's standard here to have one degree more caster on the right (or one degree less caster on the left) for the vehicle to drive straight. For example 4 degree caster on the right and 3 degree caster on the left.
Maybe your roads are crowned too?

 

[brasskey]

Basically at any speed It’s noticeable. I’ve driven on the center of roads, freeways, and even the wrong side of the road to test the crown theory, and can rule that one out.

Who installed the suspension? Seeing you’re in Boulder County, my suggestion would be to go to Slee. Obviously, they know their LCs and probably have done hundreds of setups like yours (including mine).

If you got it done at Slee, have you told them about the issues? I would assume they’d work with you on it.

 

[RET2]

Not to be simplistic but have you checked tire pressure and condition?

 

[mulebarn]

Not to be simplistic but have you checked tire pressure and condition?

Yep, that’s dialed.

 

[mulebarn]

Who installed the suspension? Seeing you’re in Boulder County, my suggestion would be to go to Slee. Obviously, they know their LCs and probably have done hundreds of setups like yours (including mine).

If you got it done at Slee, have you told them about the issues? I would assume they’d work with you on it.

I had it done at a shop near Portland, OR. Don’t want to name names, yet.

 

[Ozon8r]

Have you tried rotating your tires? Who did your install?

I have the same issue after my BP-51 install. I had the local Denver shop return my rig to stock and reinstall after chasing the issue for about 4 months thru alignment. All my specs are in the green with castor full forward as allowed by the installed SPCs. The pull is not significant but more pronounced than a road crown induced issue and tire pressure is dialed in tight, all things considered while troubleshooting.

A very important discovery I didn't originally expect...When I rotate tires (front to back, no crossing, etc), the issue goes completely away (not sure yet which tire(s) or wheel(s)). I have Stealth Ray10s on Nitto Ridge Grapplers. About a week ago, I rotated one side and still have the issue pulling to the right but not as significant. I need to try and rotate the other side and see if I can isolate to hopefully just one tire. I have a thread as well I posted on this issue from last fall.

I'll keep you posted if I find a solution that resolves the pull to the right.

 

[desmocruiser]

How many miles have you driven with the lift installed?

How many miles have you driven?

My truck had a noticeable pull to the right at first, but settled in to normal (follow the road slope) later.

Unfortunately, I didn’t document the mileage ( the truck arrived back in late March during the severe lockdown), but I went from concerned and not 100% satisfied with the drive and wondered if I had made a mistake to very happy with how the truck rides and drives!

I am not implying you don’t have an install issue, just sharing my experience.

If Slee did not do the work, I would certainly have them review the install!

Good luck!

 

[RobRed]

Rear springs installed correctly? "A" (shorter) on the passenger side? Have you corrected rear axle drift by using an adjustable panhard bar? The right pull/drift is very common when lifting the Land Cruiser.

 

[mulebarn]

Here are the numbers. Based on what I’ve learned speaking with SPC, Slee, and another reputable shop in Portland, the adjustable balls / control arms are not installed properly. Thoughts?