I would also look at changing tire shops after this 
tires constantly wear on the outside.
- Thread starter 2000UZJ
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- Thread starter
- #23
I would also look at changing tire shops after this
I plan on it. Maybe he can finish his coloring book after i leave. I'm in there constantly bitching about how it pulls to the right, twitchy as all hell, and the turn in is very hard but slingshots back
4Runner or not, that is too much toe (in) on the front axle. Toe can have far more impact on tire wear than camber.
For the the GS guy, you've got a different issue. Check your caster bushing as they're likely worn, causing your natural inner tire wear with a lowered car (camber) to be exacerbated.
For the the GS guy, you've got a different issue. Check your caster bushing as they're likely worn, causing your natural inner tire wear with a lowered car (camber) to be exacerbated.
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- #25
So who would you take it to? The dealership that didn't change my oil or oil filter and told me they did, or the tire shop that thinks a Landcruiser is a 4Runner?
See what I have to deal with in Atlanta?
Butler Tire. Pricey but they do get it right. A lot cheaper than premature wear on your tires.
No wear problems for me and I'm lifted about as far as you'd want to go.
No wear problems for me and I'm lifted about as far as you'd want to go.
Fwiw, the Firestone I've been going to uses a machine that has correct specs for LC and LX and they give me printouts so I can go home and confirm with FSM (think they use a hunter machine). Cost of lifetime alignment is less than the cost of a single alignment at my dealership. So far have been pleased with Fstone - as always with most any business and chain you can have a great experience one day and terrible the next depending on who you're working with... At least since I get the printouts of before and after I can judge for myself whether it's in spec or not
As previous poster pointed out, tire wear doesn't lie, but it could be telling you about more than just alignment - could be hinting that you have worn/bent/loose suspension parts. Not saying that's the cause here, just pointing out you can align and align and align and if you've got worn/bent parts it'll never be right (or consistent). I think there's a lot of due diligence that is not done during standard alignment jobs - like confirming vehicle height, and checking for worn/loose/bent suspension parts. Could be just me, but that's my experience at least.
As previous poster pointed out, tire wear doesn't lie, but it could be telling you about more than just alignment - could be hinting that you have worn/bent/loose suspension parts. Not saying that's the cause here, just pointing out you can align and align and align and if you've got worn/bent parts it'll never be right (or consistent). I think there's a lot of due diligence that is not done during standard alignment jobs - like confirming vehicle height, and checking for worn/loose/bent suspension parts. Could be just me, but that's my experience at least.
I echo his centiments... I took off half a fender last weekend
It was actually intended to be a joke. 35's will work unless you go too wide I suppose. Now if you're jumping dunes that might be something else...
- Thread starter
- #31
OregonLC said:It was actually intended to be a joke. 35's will work unless you go too wide I suppose. Now if you're jumping dunes that might be something else...
Dude I made 33's rub in the front... 35's are not happening.
The 100 is going into Butler Tire ( most pricey and hi-tech tire place in Atlanta, my truck will look like a loaner car from a used car dealer sitting in the parking lot)
Lol - now that's the real question.
Below is the data to compare. I used 2000UZJ's screenshot for 4Runner specs and '04 LC FSM for LC specs.
4Runner camber range: .5 to -1
04 LC camber range: .83 to -.67 (.08 +-.75 degrees) with .5 or less right to left error
actual camber value: 0, -.3
4Runner caster range: 3.8 to 2.3
04 LC caster range: 3.25 to 1.75 (2.5 +-.75 degrees) with .5 or less right to left error
actual caster value: 2.8, 2.5
4Runner toe range: 0 to .2
04 LC toe range: -.1 to .3 (.1 +- .2 degrees)
actual toe value: .25, .25
Note that using the 4Runner's specs the rig is out of spec for toe, but using the LC's spec the toe-in is within spec. The tech was clearly using the wrong specs and it's certainly possible for a rig to be within 4Runner specs and out of LC specs and vice versa (as in this case where it's out of 4Runner spec but in LC spec).
but the bottom line is that the use of the 4Runner specs doesn't seem to be the root cause of the worn tires, since the actual values are all within the LC specs.
I echo his centiments... I took off half a fender last weekend
Time for a 1" body lift with sweet write up!
- Thread starter
- #38
So the tire shop doesn't adjust camber. wow,
My conversation this morning went like this:
Me: hey, 2 months ago your shop aligned my landcruiser as a 2000 Toyota 4Runner.
Tire: ok, let's get your truck on the rack and get this taken care of.
Me: sweet, my camber seems a bit off, but my tires have always worn on the outside and cupped.
Tire: oh, we can't adjust camber. Only toe.
Me: wait I have paid you guys numberour times to fix my tires wearing funny, you guys can't fix the issue and ontop of that when I get the truck back you tell me my tires are wearing funny, which is the reason I brought the truck in to have you align it.
Tire: *long pause at counter staring randomly into distance*
me: I want my money and truck back now please.
Tire guy from back: "your camber is off"
Me: chuckles and almost drops F-bomb in lobby.
My conversation this morning went like this:
Me: hey, 2 months ago your shop aligned my landcruiser as a 2000 Toyota 4Runner.
Tire: ok, let's get your truck on the rack and get this taken care of.
Me: sweet, my camber seems a bit off, but my tires have always worn on the outside and cupped.
Tire: oh, we can't adjust camber. Only toe.
Me: wait I have paid you guys numberour times to fix my tires wearing funny, you guys can't fix the issue and ontop of that when I get the truck back you tell me my tires are wearing funny, which is the reason I brought the truck in to have you align it.
Tire: *long pause at counter staring randomly into distance*
me: I want my money and truck back now please.
Tire guy from back: "your camber is off"
Me: chuckles and almost drops F-bomb in lobby.
What does he mean can't adjust camber? I assume means he WON'T rather than he CAN'T?!
I'm looking at the 04 and 05 FSM and see the instructions for adjusting camber and caster using the cam adjustment bolts on the upper control arms so I know it's possible (of course there are upper and lower limits, and b/c we don't have separate caster adjustments perhaps it becomes even more challenging?).
Interestingly, in the 98 FSM I have access to, it says explicitly that CASTER is not adjustable (even though it has the same cam adjustments available that later years have). But Camber is definitely adjustable using the upper control adjustment cam nuts.
There must be more to the story... Surely the tech or the manager must have some explanation for their claim that they can't/won't adjust camber...
Just did a search and found this Alignment shop says they can't adjust camber - The Ranger Station Forums
This guy's alignment shop also refused to adjust camber - according to his story, one guy at the shop said the factory doesn't published the specs for adjusting it (I see specs in my FSM - however it does look complicated with a chart on how to use the adjustment cams to effect camber/caster so maybe there's a shred of truth there? The alignment shops may not have FSM documentation, just the NUMBERS for what's in/out of spec?).
Anyhow, I'd dig for more info on why they claim they can't and if they still refuse to get your alignment within spec, they should refund you the money for the (lack of) alignment!!!
I'm looking at the 04 and 05 FSM and see the instructions for adjusting camber and caster using the cam adjustment bolts on the upper control arms so I know it's possible (of course there are upper and lower limits, and b/c we don't have separate caster adjustments perhaps it becomes even more challenging?).
Interestingly, in the 98 FSM I have access to, it says explicitly that CASTER is not adjustable (even though it has the same cam adjustments available that later years have). But Camber is definitely adjustable using the upper control adjustment cam nuts.
There must be more to the story... Surely the tech or the manager must have some explanation for their claim that they can't/won't adjust camber...
Just did a search and found this Alignment shop says they can't adjust camber - The Ranger Station Forums
This guy's alignment shop also refused to adjust camber - according to his story, one guy at the shop said the factory doesn't published the specs for adjusting it (I see specs in my FSM - however it does look complicated with a chart on how to use the adjustment cams to effect camber/caster so maybe there's a shred of truth there? The alignment shops may not have FSM documentation, just the NUMBERS for what's in/out of spec?).
Anyhow, I'd dig for more info on why they claim they can't and if they still refuse to get your alignment within spec, they should refund you the money for the (lack of) alignment!!!
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- Thread starter
- #40
ok Jesus ****** I just left the shop 1 hr ago. Found a different one and they put EVERYTHING to what I wanted. The other shop was kind enough to do what they could for free. The picture shows what happens when you align a 2000 LC to a 2000 4Runner. I am now sitting at -.5 camber upfront vs yesterdays +1. Handles 100X better, you have no idea how much nicer it is. I do have a really odd finding. There is a huge bump in my road, if I hit it at 35mph I can top my shock out. I dont top out anymore, not even at 45mph. Which is strange that I apparently have more downtravel
Any ideas on regaining some nice ride quality? It went from harsh to smooth again and no tramlining!!!
Any ideas on regaining some nice ride quality? It went from harsh to smooth again and no tramlining!!!