LX570 Alignment Concerns (3 Viewers)

[tsboxx]

Recently installed new wheels and tires: 18 Inch TRD PRO BBS Wheels (from Tundra) with 285 65 18 BFG Ko3s. Alignment shop tried twice after installation, but couldn't get the caster correct. They were able to get the camber and toe, but the caster is at 3.9 degrees left side and 4.9 degrees right side. I honestly do not notice any drivability concerns, as it was off alignment before installation, so it drives much better now. Very smooth, and maybe a very minimal left pull. Something I notice on the alignment print out is that at the top it is labeled as LX570 2019 Active Height Control - HIGH - ExpressAlign Total. I haven't had the chance to reach back out to the shop yet, but is there a chance they aligned to wrong parameters given they didn't adjust AHC to high to align it neither do I keep it in high regularly. Secondly, even though it is "out of spec" it drives great, how much of a concern should I have here?

 

[ravencr]

If your toe and camber are close to the same per side, caster won’t affect tire wear. I’d run it unless they did align it in high in areas of normal in which case I’d have them do it over in normal mode.

Chris

 

[vipergrhd]

Post up your print out, not to worry about caster 1* split is acceptable unless you have a drift or a pull.

 

[tsboxx]

Post up your print out, not to worry about caster 1* split is acceptable unless you have a drift or a pull.

 

[hoser]

The tech chose the "AHC High" values.... and so LF camber shows as Green (within range) but it really isn't. Re: caster, I would check the front spindles and compare left & right to see if one is bent. Rear thrust angle is also higher than normal and so it is doing a little crab walking. Zero is ideal. Check for bent control arm or worn bushings.

 

[tsboxx]

The tech chose the "AHC High" values.... and so LF camber shows as Green (within range) but it really isn't. Re: caster, I would check the front spindles and compare left & right to see if one is bent. Rear thrust angle is also higher than normal and so it is doing a little crab walking. Zero is ideal. Check for bent control arm or worn bushings.

View attachment 3981066

thanks for this! It looks like the caster was good before then, at 3.1 bilaterally. I'll reach back out and see if they'll try again with the right parameters.

 

[vipergrhd]

I would request for another reading at normal ride height, if readings are off they should redo it caster readings can be off specs. As long it's not causing any drift or pull. I would also recommend to have a full tank of fuel.

If possible ask the mechanic to set camber just slightly negative maybe 2 clicks and get as much positive caster.

 

[tsboxx]

Update: Took it back and basically left the same. The shop is saying that their process is to scan theh vin and utilize whatever their machines tell them to use. I tried to explain the AHC settings, but they set it to high again. After driving it some more, it definitely still has a slight left pull. After this second retry, I now notice a very slight rub at full lock in reverse that wasn't there after the first, or at least I didn't notice it until after the second adjustment. Probably going to bite the bullet and take it to Lexus at this point.

I'm trying to under stand the camber/caster more, but the right side is at 5.2 degrees now compared to 3.9 on the left. The rub is on the right side. Will getting this back to ideal, alleviate this?

 

[hoser]

Are they setting the AHC to High or Normal mode when aligning? I would just tell them to use N mode and align to the specs you provide.

The adjustments are on the lower control arm and to get higher caster, the lower control arm shifts forward. So rubbing is likely on the forward edge of the wheel. Yes, when in spec, it should alleviate the rub… granted you don’t have oversized tires.

 

[tsboxx]

Are they setting the AHC to High or Normal mode when aligning? I would just tell them to use N mode and align to the specs you provide.

The adjustments are on the lower control arm and to get higher caster, the lower control arm shifts forward. So rubbing is likely on the forward edge of the wheel. Yes, when in spec, it should alleviate the rub… granted you don’t have oversized tires.

They are keeping the AHC in normal mode and aligning it to high parameters because when they scan my VIN, "That's what the system shows we have to do." This shop, it's a discount tire, won't work outside those stipulations. They won't change it to normal guidelines on their system or do the alignment with AHC set to high.

I guess this brings up an interesting question: If I just put it in high myself, and have them align it again, and then return to normal height, will that translate to it being aligned at normal?

I have the 18x8 TRD Pro BBS Wheels +60mm offset with 285 65 18 BFG KO3 tires, so slightly oversized? I've not seen issues with rubbing on this setup reported before though.

 

[hoser]

Yes, aligning to High specs would be sort of okay if you/they actually set the vehicle to High mode, granted your normal ride height is stock. The FSM is very specific on what normal height is. It would be nice to confirm the after specs at normal height. The outcome would be better than what you have now.

If you take it somewhere else, it doesn’t have to be Lexus. It could pretty much be anywhere other than discount tire.