[Peanut Butter]

I had a hard time finding a good shop to do my alignment after lift and tires. I got my truck back, and noticed right away that it was pulling pretty hard to the passenger side. I took it back and let them know. They said that they had set it to factory settings, but can't guarantee anything since it's not stock anymore. I had them re-align my truck so that it runs straight, but they warned me that it would wear my tires quickly. Any truth to this? Should I leave it so that it doesn't drift, or have them put it back to "factory" and have it drift?

 

[bb609]

Take it to another shop. The lift shouldn't throw it out so far that it can't be aligned properly.

 

[jtaco1]

I took mine to the Toyota dealer and it runs nice and straight now.

 

[ShowStop]

I had them re-align my truck so that it runs straight, but they warned me that it would wear my tires quickly.

Thats a total crock of shit. A proper alignment will line-up the toe adjustment for straight tracking and the camber for proper tire wear. Time to find another shop that actually knows what they are doing. Any shops around there that specialize in suspension and alignment only? Most of the tire shops that "also do alignments" don't have the properly trained personnel to do the work right and know WTF they are doing.

 

[Peanut Butter]

Yeah, I took it to my regular mechanic who said that 5" of lift is more than he wanted to tackle, so I took it to Big O. They have been doing our lifted work trucks for a few years and I thought they would do a good job. They way they put it, it is either aligned right and drifting, or "mis-aligned" and drives straight. I don't know of any shops that work on suspension and alignment. Guess its time to hit the phone book.

 

[cbr900rr95]

Do you have the before and after print out. Even both left and right side alignment are within spec, it can drift. It will drift to the most camber and least caster. And also the road crown.

 

[Peanut Butter]

No, I don't have the print out for before and after.

 

[Peanut Butter]

Bump, bump

 

[DCabTaco]

If your waiting for someone to agree with the people in the shop,.. then ok I agree. j/k as stated before an alignment is just that. When you raise or lower a vehicle the only thing that is drastically changed is the camber setting. That will not make you pull to one side or another, but it will wear your tires unevenly. Do you have new tires? If not were they rotated regularly? When you have different tires, tires worn unevenly, or switched around such that one is worn much more than the other, it will pull to one side(when aligned properly) This can be corrected if aligned improperly(you're compensating for the difference in tire size)

 

[Peanut Butter]

Nope, brand new tires. I'm not expecting anyone to agree with the shop either. I just don't know why two shops would have so much trouble with an alignment on a lifted truck. Do I need a specialty shop, or should they just be able to deal with it? I want my truck to be properly aligned, and not drift or wear my tires more quickly than normal. Is this a crazy request? Can it be done? Thats what I'm trying to figure out. Thanks!

 

[DCabTaco]

All I can say is ask for the printouts of the before and after alignements. Any credible shop should be able to supply you with that. I am not sure about the factory settings, but you might what to ask them for the numbers they are trying to align it to as well. That way you know the settings and can verify with Toyota or somewhere else. If the numbers seem like they are where they are suppose to be then try chainging the tires around(don't assume they are perfect even if they are new). No speciallty shop for raised trucks. An alignment should be straight forward.

 

[salsataco]

If you go to 3 shops you will get 3 different readings. With my lifted jeep, I have not lifted the taco, I found it best to get a few free alignment checks and go with the place that had a closer number to another and could give the best service. You may also want to find out when their alignment machine was last calibrated.

Good Luck

 

[ahsook1]

I had a hard time finding a good shop to do my alignment after lift and tires. I got my truck back, and noticed right away that it was pulling pretty hard to the passenger side. I took it back and let them know. They said that they had set it to factory settings, but can't guarantee anything since it's not stock anymore. I had them re-align my truck so that it runs straight, but they warned me that it would wear my tires quickly. Any truth to this? Should I leave it so that it doesn't drift, or have them put it back to "factory" and have it drift?

The tire sidewalls can be defected or their Balance machine are out of spec. (Those checked were new tires)and the sidewall were defected, to verify you need to find a tire shop that have a balance machine (GSP-9700) with an adapter called (Haweka) which balance from the lug nut holes rather then the center hole and they should do a road test called (Road Force Variation Work-Up) which would verify the tire or the wheels that is out of round making them drift. And check your rotors if they are warped and are to specs.

 

[Bucs Fan]

Have you taken it to a Off-road specialist? They deal with those situations all the time. My mechanic told me that if the toe is set correctly than it should not wear the tires quickly. He also told me that if you put the stock tires and wheels on the truck and align it, it will still be in alignment when you put your 33's on. That includes the camber and caster. You may get slight wear but it will not be excessive. Try that.

 

[Super Doody]

All I can say is ask for the printouts of the before and after alignements. Any credible shop should be able to supply you with that. I am not sure about the factory settings, but you might what to ask them for the numbers they are trying to align it to as well. That way you know the settings and can verify with Toyota or somewhere else. If the numbers seem like they are where they are suppose to be then try chainging the tires around(don't assume they are perfect even if they are new). No speciallty shop for raised trucks. An alignment should be straight forward.

Unless they put their hands on the tire to make it be in spec for the afterwards print out.