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 Post subject: Alignment after 1.5" OME
PostPosted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 1:13 pm 
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I went to get an alignment after lifting my 2005 KJ CRD. The shop said they could not get it into proper spec because of the lift. Is this normal?


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 Post subject: Re: Alignment after 1.5" OME
PostPosted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 2:44 pm 
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I personally did a 2" Daystar lift last year and had the alignment done without problem. I do not see why it would be any different with an OME, these are still basically shocks & springs, nothing out of specs, apart from the higher stance which is still very reasonable... May want to check with another shop?

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 Post subject: Re: Alignment after 1.5" OME
PostPosted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 10:16 pm 
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I got a front end alignment after putting on my OME lift with no problems.

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 Post subject: Re: Alignment after 1.5" OME
PostPosted: Mon Jul 09, 2012 10:23 pm 
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It depends on the vehicle,some may be able to be aligned no problems,others require JBA UCA's and some will never be able to get all the specs into the green no matter what.It just varies from vehicle to vehicle.

Always sacrifice caster,it's a non-tire wearing angle.Have them center camber while keeping cross caster within 0.5 degrees.It's okay to be as low as 2 degrees for caster,you will just loose some highway speed tracking,as the steering will feel very light and tend to wander a bit more.


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 Post subject: Re: Alignment after 1.5" OME
PostPosted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 8:14 am 
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tjkj2002 wrote:
...for caster,you will just loose some highway speed tracking,as the steering will feel very light and tend to wander a bit more.


but I bought the KJ so I wouldn't have to live with XJ road manners all the time ;)

What part of the alignment could they not get into spec; camber, caster, or toe?

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 Post subject: Re: Alignment after 1.5" OME
PostPosted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 1:49 pm 
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Toe is perfect. Camber is within .1 of each other.

Caster is 2.3 in on the left and 2.6 in on the right.

I am just sensing harder steering and a pull to the left now.


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 Post subject: Re: Alignment after 1.5" OME
PostPosted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 2:14 pm 
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brdl04 wrote:
Toe is perfect. Camber is within .1 of each other.

Caster is 2.3 in on the left and 2.6 in on the right.

I am just sensing harder steering and a pull to the left now.


Caster has an obscene amount of adjustment and is the first to be done. Take it back, and make sure they set caster first.

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 Post subject: Re: Alignment after 1.5" OME
PostPosted: Tue Jul 10, 2012 2:37 pm 
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Rich wrote:
brdl04 wrote:
Toe is perfect. Camber is within .1 of each other.

Caster is 2.3 in on the left and 2.6 in on the right.

I am just sensing harder steering and a pull to the left now.


Caster has an obscene amount of adjustment and is the first to be done. Take it back, and make sure they set caster first.

Actually no you set camber 1st.Camber is far more important then caster and both camber and caster are set by using the cam bolts on the LCA's and either cam bolt will effect both adjustments.Granted the front cam bolt is mainly for camber,but does also effect caster,and the reverse for the rear cam bolt.

For the OP that cross caster will not cause a pull and you have plenty of caster.Now you said cross camber was within 0.1 degrees but where is the camber set at? A pic of the alignment sheet that should have been given to you would help.Another cause of a pull could be the thrust angle or a radial pull(bad tire).Try cross rotating the front 2 tires,if it pulls to the right you have a bad front tire,if not there is another issue for the pull.


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 Post subject: Re: Alignment after 1.5" OME
PostPosted: Fri Jul 13, 2012 10:57 am 
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tjkj2002 wrote:
Actually no you set camber 1st.Camber is far more important then caster and both camber and caster are set by using the cam bolts on the LCA's and either cam bolt will effect both adjustments.Granted the front cam bolt is mainly for camber,but does also effect caster,and the reverse for the rear cam bolt.


Actually no, you set CASTER first.

The cam bolts in the LCAs do alter both camber and caster, but caster adjustments cause a proportionally smaller change in caster than the reverse. By setting base camber first, you are drastically limiting your adjustment range in caster, to keep camber 'close' possibly to a point where you don't get within spec. Base caster allows a greater range of camber adjustment to bring it within spec. You will need to go back and forth to get both caster and camber proper, but by starting in the reverse way limits your ability to make adjustments.

If the alignment shop set the camber first, then they limited themselves in adjustment ability for caster, thus leaving your cheese in the wind with your alignment. Take it back and have them do it correctly.

Per the FSM (2005, 2-5/6)
Quote:

STANDARD PROCEDURE - CAMBER, CASTER
AND TOE ADJUSTMENT
Camber and caster angle adjustments involve
changing the position of the lower suspension arm
cam bolts. (Fig. 4)

CASTER
Moving the rear position of the cam bolt in or out,
will change the caster angle significantly and camber
angle only slightly. To maintain the camber angle
while adjusting caster, move the rear of the cam bolt
in or out. Then move the front of the cam bolt
slightly in the opposite direction. (Fig. 4)
To increase positive caster angle, move the rear
position of the cam bolt outward (from the engine).
Move the front of cam bolt inward (toward the
engine) slightly until the original camber angle is
obtained. (Fig. 4)

CAMBER
Move both of the cam bolts together in or out. This
will change the camber angle significantly and caster
angle slightly. (Fig. 4)
After adjustment is made tighten the cam bolt nuts
to proper torque specification.

TOE ADJUSTMENT
The wheel toe position adjustment is the final
adjustment.
(1) Start the engine and turn wheels both ways
before straightening the wheels. Secure the steering
wheel with the front wheels in the straight-ahead
position.
(2) Loosen the tie rod jam nuts.
NOTE: Each front wheel should be adjusted for
one-half of the total toe position specification. This
will ensure the steering wheel will be centered
when the wheels are positioned straight-ahead.
(3) Adjust the wheel toe position by turning the tie
rod as necessary (Fig. 5).
(4) Tighten the tie rod jam nut to 75 N·m (55 ft.
lbs.).
(5) Verify the specifications

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 Post subject: Re: Alignment after 1.5" OME
PostPosted: Sat Jul 14, 2012 12:19 pm 
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Being in this situation with alignment guys is a challenge. They want to do their jobs and are a particular lot, which is good.
I called Upper Arms by Al since I have the "problem" too.
He said put the camber in first, let the caster go it's way since it does not really affect the steering.
Camber is killing my tires, the tire noise is a howling and driving the voices in my head crazy, so i want to kill something.....
Well, just kidding a little, Camber first.

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 Post subject: Re: Alignment after 1.5" OME
PostPosted: Sat Jul 14, 2012 9:39 pm 
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Rich wrote:
tjkj2002 wrote:
Actually no you set camber 1st.Camber is far more important then caster and both camber and caster are set by using the cam bolts on the LCA's and either cam bolt will effect both adjustments.Granted the front cam bolt is mainly for camber,but does also effect caster,and the reverse for the rear cam bolt.


Actually no, you set CASTER first.

The cam bolts in the LCAs do alter both camber and caster, but caster adjustments cause a proportionally smaller change in caster than the reverse. By setting base camber first, you are drastically limiting your adjustment range in caster, to keep camber 'close' possibly to a point where you don't get within spec. Base caster allows a greater range of camber adjustment to bring it within spec. You will need to go back and forth to get both caster and camber proper, but by starting in the reverse way limits your ability to make adjustments.

If the alignment shop set the camber first, then they limited themselves in adjustment ability for caster, thus leaving your cheese in the wind with your alignment. Take it back and have them do it correctly.


That holds true for stock,not lifted as it's a known issue with caster so you set camber 1st and what you end up with in caster is what you get otherwise you'll have one pissed off tech and a alignment that will just wear your tires.Camber is far more important.


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 Post subject: Re: Alignment after 1.5" OME
PostPosted: Sun Jul 15, 2012 10:16 am 
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tjkj2002 wrote:
It depends on the vehicle,some may be able to be aligned no problems,others require JBA UCA's and some will never be able to get all the specs into the green no matter what.It just varies from vehicle to vehicle.

Always sacrifice caster,it's a non-tire wearing angle.Have them center camber while keeping cross caster within 0.5 degrees.It's okay to be as low as 2 degrees for caster,you will just loose some highway speed tracking,as the steering will feel very light and tend to wander a bit more.


My camber is -0.1 degrees left and right
Toe is 0.14 degrees total
Steer ahead is -0.01 degrees.
I guess the tires are ruined, noise is too much.
Thinking of getting two new wheels to mount 2 new front tires. What do you think TKJ2002?

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 Post subject: Re: Alignment after 1.5" OME
PostPosted: Sun Jul 15, 2012 8:19 pm 
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Why don't you just get 4 new tires instead since you have the select trac it would make more sense.Also skip those 215's,that's most likely alot of your problem as they are to narrow for stock rims anyways.


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 Post subject: Re: Alignment after 1.5" OME
PostPosted: Sun Jul 15, 2012 11:35 pm 
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tjkj2002 wrote:
Why don't you just get 4 new tires instead since you have the select trac it would make more sense.Also skip those 215's,that's most likely alot of your problem as they are to narrow for stock rims anyways.

I just bought 4 tires in September, over $800.
Went back to stock tires to tow.
What about select trac?

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