How to align? Issues...caster
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
How to align? Issues...caster
The alignment is off in my truck. I took it to the shop and the guy wanted to replace every single component from the steering box to the radius arm bushings and everything between. I know that the tie rods are bad and need to be replaced. I can do that myself. the balljoints are fine. I think he was trying to make a buck.
He said that the only way to align these trucks is to shim the radius arms bushings and tug it into place with a come-a-long. Is this true? It seems really hackneyed.
He said that the only way to align these trucks is to shim the radius arms bushings and tug it into place with a come-a-long. Is this true? It seems really hackneyed.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,936
Likes: 9
From: Acworth, GA
That's not true. I say replace the parts that you know are bad (yourself, if you can), then take it to someone else and ask them to check the alignment. if they give you the same crap, keep looking until you find someone that knows how to do it right.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 509
Likes: 4
From: Casper, Wyoming
I'd run as far away as fast as I could from this guy.
I'm with Grubbworm. You can do most of the work yourself (using top quality parts that YOU get to pick) and take it to someone else. And if you're motivated, an alignment isn't rocket science. I do my own now, simply because the folks around here want to make a years living every time I'm in their shop.
His statement (your alignment guy) is incorrect. Caster and camber are adjusted with cylindrical shims that install in the upper ball joint studs. A competent alignment mechanic would know this.
here's one write up. I also recommend looking at YouTube for more examples of home alignment.
http://www.allpar.com/fix/alignment.html
I'm with Grubbworm. You can do most of the work yourself (using top quality parts that YOU get to pick) and take it to someone else. And if you're motivated, an alignment isn't rocket science. I do my own now, simply because the folks around here want to make a years living every time I'm in their shop.
His statement (your alignment guy) is incorrect. Caster and camber are adjusted with cylindrical shims that install in the upper ball joint studs. A competent alignment mechanic would know this.
here's one write up. I also recommend looking at YouTube for more examples of home alignment.
http://www.allpar.com/fix/alignment.html
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 997
Likes: 2
From: Rock Valley, IA
I'm not sure how to do the alignment on our trucks as I've never tackled it. I do know that a caster/camber gauge will go a long way to getting it correct:
Longacre Racing - Online Catalog: Electronic Wheel Scales, Gauges, Pyrometers, Chassis Setup and More!
For the toe, it's real easy. Just make sure that your driver side is straight/parallel to the truck and measure the distance from the back and front of the tire at the same place. figure out to the discrepancy and adjust accordingly.
Again, not sure how to make adjustments but hope this gets you close to finding how far off you are.
Longacre Racing - Online Catalog: Electronic Wheel Scales, Gauges, Pyrometers, Chassis Setup and More!
For the toe, it's real easy. Just make sure that your driver side is straight/parallel to the truck and measure the distance from the back and front of the tire at the same place. figure out to the discrepancy and adjust accordingly.
Again, not sure how to make adjustments but hope this gets you close to finding how far off you are.
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