Advice from the experienced generation

[Randomrunner12]

Hey all,

I want some advice from the experienced generations. Little back story, I have 133K on my truck, have replaced both upper and lower control arms and ball joints on the front (2wd), as well as every other possible part. I have gone to 3 different alignment shops as well as a few off road shops to get an alignment. still goes out within a few months.

What would it hurt to have it aligned and then weld all the adjustment points in place? with a tac weld or something just to hold it?

My dad and I did this on my 77 plymouth gran fury after replacing all the front end parts as well and never had to align it again even after 4 motor and transmission swaps. (finally retired at 300,000 miles).

 

[cerberusiam]

What goes out? Parts, alignment, ????

 

[Randomrunner12]

Usually just the alignment, last shop told me I have to get some new tabs welded on so they can adjust which sounded like a load of crock. last alignment only last about 3-4 months driving only highway in areas with heavy road construction and doing my best to avoid major ruts, pot holes and the like.

 

[Bob4x4]

If the tabs are screwed up,they should be repaired or replaced.This is a common issue on Tacomas that are driven hard off road.If you inspect them and they are good sounds like the bolts had not been torqued properly.

 

[Randomrunner12]

Thank you sir. I am taking it to a place calling rock and roll off road in Fort worth today to see what they say. Highly recommended to me from 6 different shops at this point.

 

[Randomrunner12]

After Further investigation it has been found that the Bushings on the lower control arm are both bad. All ball joints show to be good. The issue at had is that when the truck is on the rack but in the air the techs can get the alignment perfect!!! but once they have WOW the alignment goes out due to the bushings sagging (what they told me) they suggested either replacing the entire control arm assembly or just the bushings. Truck has 133,456 miles on it. Also has a 1inch raise in the front.

 

[cerberusiam]

Poly bushing time if you can find them for it. Typical problem on the cars also, bushings get soft and things get out alignment just driving and eats tires. Sorry excuse for a suspension system on a heavy truck.

 

[Randomrunner12]

That's the problem I'm having. I can't find the poly bushings anywhere. I'm also trying to find bushings for the swap bars and other front end items and not having any luck. Figure if I'm tearing apart the front end might as well do it all.

 

[RustyRam]

I've been doing front ball joints every 50k-75k. I do them myself now. Most shops don't torque the bolts to spec, about 150ftlb if I remember. I've used several brands from no name to some pricey ones. Doesn't seem to matter.

 

[tommyturbo]

Randomrunner12. Because you are concerned over the frequent alignment is why I am replying.
My front end has been aligned over the years with the non factory toe in specs that works very
well until the alignment changed easily from road impacts. About three years ago a CA 101 pothole
damaged a tie rod end and the rack and pinion. Decided to rebuild the front end with all new parts
but only re-bushing the control arms. Driving down the freeway I noticed the steering wheel gradually moving
to the 11 o'clock position. Went back to the alignment shop and found that the cam bolts for the caster
were slipping. It looks like the frequent adjustments through time has deformed the flanges under the
bolt and nut heads and caved in a mating dimple in the frame reducing effective contact surface to
keep the bolts from turning. I ordered new cam bolts and nuts and took them back to my shop and
machined a relief of .015" under each flange a 1/4" from the flange OD to the bolt OD. That would
allow the flange to grip better than before. The alignment has held since then and tires are wearing
good. It's been two years since then and the steering is good and I just rotate the tires at each oil change.
Now I'm thinking that if alignment is needed again and that if the caster is in the ballpark, then only reset the toe in
and do not put a wrench on those cam bolts unless absolutely necessary.
Tommyturbo

 

[EDankievitch]

Give XRF Chassis parts a call I have had very good luck with their Ball Joints so far (877) 567-1037 they just might have the parts you need and they have a good warranty.

 

[tommyturbo]

Randomrunner12. I am updating a reply to you about something I learned today.
I skipped rotating the tires the last three oil changes since modifying the cam bolts and nuts
because the steering was good and tire wear normal but this last oil change a week ago included
tire rotation for the heck of it. Since the rotation, steering was drifting to the right a little and
squealing over painted asphalt on slow turns. To me that indicates alignment needed. I brought the truck
in to my preferred shop this morning for a check. I told the technician that if the caster was descent, then
only do the toe in. He said that the caster adjustment affects the toe or vice versa. Anyway, the initial
readings were the same as when the caster cam bolts were touched last and the total toe was still .04 deg.
So we decided to swap the front tires and let me drive it. Much better! I guess the overdue tire rotation
let the tires wear unevenly. A few days ago I was going to swap the fronts around but just out of curiosity,
I wanted to know if the caster cam bolts held the settings. This tells me the alignment was still good even
after a pretty good pounding this last year and a half. So it shows there are other causes contributing to
uneven tire wear and steering performance. This reply is really an update to the initial alignment getting
out of spec issue that I had that I thought might be something that you would be interested in hearing.
Tommyturbo

 

[Randomrunner12]

TommyTurbo,

Thank you for that information!!! I actually just had my front end checked today and the alignment is all good. Toe was out .01 and the tires are wearing very evenly and truck is tracking perfectly.

It was good to get all this info from you all and helped alot.