Alignment Issue

Dallasstars10 · #1 02-13-2008, 03:40 PM

I have had my truck aligned about 3 times now since i got my kit put on because of different reasons...They told me all 3 times my steering wheel is never going to be straigh ton because of the tires and lift. Is there anyway that i can get it straight or am i just going to have to live like it is sitting halfway to the left for it to be "straight"

Slimline · #2 02-13-2008, 11:03 PM

I see no reason why you could not have it straight

At a worst all you would have to do is take the pitman arm off, straighten the wheel as best you can, replace arm, then have it aligned. At least on my truck I believe that is the extent of it.

GIJoeCam · #3 02-14-2008, 01:28 PM

First I would find a competent shop and have them do the alignment. There's absolutely no reason they should not be able to straighten the wheel, then bring the alignment back to spec. If they claim they can't, they're either lying to your face, or completely incompetent. In either case, they would not be receiving any of my hard-earned money for shoddy work.

-Joe

**Patman** · #4 02-15-2008, 11:53 AM

you might need a steering stabilizer to get it perfect but they should be able to get it close

GIJoeCam · #5 02-15-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patman03SprCrw

you might need a steering stabilizer to get it perfect but they should be able to get it close

A steering stabilizer doesn't change the alignment. If the vehicle is aligned properly without a stabilizer, it's not going to change with a stabilizer.

Dallasstars10 · #6 02-16-2008, 01:16 AM

Well i have had it at 4 different places to be aligned and not once has it been completely straight since my lift......one of them including the "stealership"....it doesn't bother me too much. just wondering..

Thx for answers guys! Always a help!

clar · #7 02-16-2008, 10:17 PM

To streighten the whell they lock it streight usly with a bar then do the alligment even if your truck wouldent align they could still make the wheel strieght dives me crazy it its off ,find a different shop

Dallasstars10 · #8 02-17-2008, 12:57 PM

ok thx.

mattd17 · #9 02-17-2008, 09:35 PM

i think i know why you are having this problem.... it has to do with your tie rod arms.... after the lift is installed, the tie rods mount down into the steering knuckle rather than up into the knuckle. this requires the tie rod end to be spun onto the tie rod further than before, and they sometimes will "bottom out" in the rod end.

to fix this, you need to cut about 3/8" from the end of the tie rod, giving more room to travel into the rod end.

i did this on my truck, and then i also cut one of the nuts in half, and used each half on the rods.... this gave me more thread to use, and fixed my issues.

so its not that the shops "cant do it", its that the truck wont let them, unless you do this modification, which they are unlikely to do.

Colorado Osprey · #10 02-17-2008, 09:46 PM

Another thing to remember is to bring your lift installation paperwork to the alignment center as there are usually different allignment angles for a given lifted trucks with a specific lift kit as the geometry has changed.

It is also recommended to have the vehicle immediately aligned after and suspension work and then again another month or 2 later if springs or torsion bars were adjusted or replaced as they need to settle in.