Re: Alignment issue

[oly884]

Andy, thanks for this info. I've been into the dealer twice now to get an alignment, all within 6 months. Lucky for me they knew I wasn't fooled about the 4 wheel vs 2 wheel alignment. However, they didn't fix the problem, and I can definitely tell they didn't torque anything down properly. I'm going to probably be getting some new tires this summer so I'll just wait till then assuming nothing gets too bad.

[MTL_4runner]

I wish more noobs would read this before they posted because most of the time they could answer their own question just looking at the writeup. If your toe or camber is out you can get all sorts of shakes wobbles, etc at highway speed. The other problem is when people take their vehciles to shops that just don't have a clue. Every now and then you'll find a good mom & pop shop or a good tech at a tire chain store, but 9/10 times you'd be better off just going to a dealer.

[oly884]

Jamie, that was my problem, I did go to the dealer, twice. They have yet to fix the problem. My truck "leads" to the left, I was told it's a lead to the left, not pull to the left.

At $56 a pop, I'm up to $112 with them and hesitant to go back. Last time I went back, 2 months after I got the first alignment, they told me I must have hit a pot hole to have my alignment off that much. To which I replied that I didn't. Well, they didn't listen.

So now, I'm debating whether I should take it back to them and talk the lingo, or just say screw them and find somewhere else in town.

[bamachem]

if the alignment is off when you didn't hit anything, then they aren't torquing the bolts down properly. i put about 120-140 Ft-lbs on them.

[MTL_4runner]

Ditto to what Andy said.

Did you ever get a machine printout before and after?

[bamachem]

simple cycling of the suspension will loosen the pass rear and driver front cam lock-down bolts. compression cycles of the suspension work like a mini-impact gun set on a low setting to spin the bolts counter-clockwise. they have to be REALLY tight to keep them from backing out under just *normal* conditions. i've seriously considered coming up w/ a design for something to mechanically lock them down after adjustment.

[oly884]

Jamie, yup, I did get a printout from before and after, I made sure this last time to get one.

But I think it's exactly what Andy said, just after a couple weeks it starts to lead to the left. If I find some time I'll call them and see what they say.

[bamachem]

if the driver front comes loose, the cam will slip to the extreme outside adjustment. this will cause the driver wheel to have less caster, which will tend to lead the vehicle to the left since the contact patch is now tracking behind the passenger side and also has less force to keep it in a straight path. sounds like the problem to me...

[MTL_4runner]

Ok, so this is something that happens gradually after an alignment(the leading to the left)?
Too bad you didn't mark them with paint, but I totally agree with Andy, I bet the cams are moving.

Also if you got a printout while on the alignment machine both times, which values changed?

[localmotion]

I got the Firestone Lifetime alignment for 130ish and I have gotten my junk aligned at least 4 times in the past year. I do it whenever I feel the slighest pull. Its a great investment IMO.

[slosurfer]

I just had a great experience at a Big Brand Tire Co. the tech was great. I think one of the reasons was because they specialize in installing lift kits. Since most of the vehicles these days are IFS, they were familiar with messing around with IFS alignments. Just a thought I would like to share. Also, took the advice in the other forum and torqued everything down once I got home. Like was said before, they were torqued no where near what they should have been.

[MTL_4runner]

i've seriously considered coming up w/ a design for something to mechanically lock them down after adjustment.


Maybe you and Brian or Steve could create something.
I don't think it would be very difficult at all.

[bamachem]

i'll chat it up w/ steve or brian and see what we can come up with.

[oly884]

Put me down to test one, I'll help bring up some $$$ for a prototype.