Alignment Concern

[JasonTremor]

I wouldve expected to see some 'clean' black paint from the LCA if the bolts were moved... but dont see that and thats what caught my eye the first time it went to get aligned. I wish I had marked them with a paint pen before taking it to its first alignment.

Yep, you would have seen discoloration of the silver coating on the bolt heads too if they had put a wrench on it. Sad that out of two shops you have visited, neither treated you fairly.

Here are pictures of my Tremor for reference. It's never been aligned since leaving the factory.

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[Dereku]

Take it to a dealer if you can. Any dealer can do an alignment and they will probably do it right. Tell the you want a real alignment not just a toe and go. It will let them know you mean business. And if it isn't perfect tell them to redo it. My personal preference is a perfect alignment with zero test drive. Best driving truck ever afterwards.

 

[GitRDone]

Did either shop provide you with a printout of the alignment settings? That would be helpful to share if you have it.

After my 2.5" lift install, I took my truck to an established alignment shop which did not provide a printout, but the truck drove straight with no issues so all seemed well. However, in the following weeks I noticed pretty severe tire wear on the outside of both front tires. I suspected the camber was off due to the lift, and after replacing all four tires I took it to another shop to check the alignment. Sure enough, it was off quite a bit but it was the toe-in not the camber. Since the correction, the truck drives great and the tires are wearing evenly. And I received before-and-after printouts confirming the data.

 

[AdamHarris]

Often, on these Rangers, we will need aftermarket Upper Control Arms (UCAs) to correct camber after a lift.

 

[Synfulz]

After installing of my leveling blocks attached before and after.

 

[chrisakz]

Thanks everyone for the input.
I ended up taking it to another shop. The tech there said that the bolts are maxed out and the only way to get the camber/caster back into spec is by buying a camber kit. Quoted me over 500$ for parts/labor. So now I have some questions:

1. Do the factory camber bolts not have much play to adjust alignment back to spec after a level/lift? Or even close to spec?

2. Is is difficult to change out the camber bolts myself?

Below are some pictures of the bolts if that helps.

Those bolts are nowhere near maxed out spec… I did my alignment in my driveway after doing a 2.5inch level and I had to max out the settings

 

[maxbottomtime]

What bolts should be adjusted in an alignment? Would be helpful to have a guide so you know you aren’t being fleeced/could check.

On a related note of fleecing, I’m questioning if the included “service package” of oil changes has resulted in my tires being rotated once. I’m at 25k and just starting to get wear on the inside edge. Id never think they would skip this but what do I know? Will be grease penning/marking the tires next time.

 

[ranger 2020]

Has the truck ever been wrecked? If wrecked or been subjected to severe use, the frame could possibly be tweaked. I used to see frame sag a lot on GM trucks that were used in commercial jobs. Aftermarket even made cam kits to get more movement on the control arms.

 

[real_zeke]

Take it to a dealer if you can. Any dealer can do an alignment and they will probably do it right. Tell the you want a real alignment not just a toe and go. It will let them know you mean business. And if it isn't perfect tell them to redo it. My personal preference is a perfect alignment with zero test drive. Best driving truck ever afterwards.

Yeah unfortunately that is what Im going to end up doing, and hope I can some kind of refund from this chain shop.

 

[real_zeke]

Did either shop provide you with a printout of the alignment settings? That would be helpful to share if you have it.

After my 2.5" lift install, I took my truck to an established alignment shop which did not provide a printout, but the truck drove straight with no issues so all seemed well. However, in the following weeks I noticed pretty severe tire wear on the outside of both front tires. I suspected the camber was off due to the lift, and after replacing all four tires I took it to another shop to check the alignment. Sure enough, it was off quite a bit but it was the toe-in not the camber. Since the correction, the truck drives great and the tires are wearing evenly. And I received before-and-after printouts confirming the data.

On my first post I added a picture of the printout. The second shop didnt give me a printout because no work was done due to the camber bolts being "maxed out".

Im going to end up trying my luck with the dealership in hopes they get it right.

 

[real_zeke]

After installing of my leveling blocks attached before and after.

That looks better than my numbers on caster/camber. Did you get it aligned at a dealership or a specialty shop?

 

[real_zeke]

Often, on these Rangers, we will need aftermarket Upper Control Arms (UCAs) to correct camber after a lift.

Thats an upgrade I wanted to do down the road, but it seems now it will be sooner. Is there any recommendations you have? I dont do any crazy off-roading.. which is the reason I just went with a leveling puck over a coilover setup.

 

[real_zeke]

Those bolts are nowhere near maxed out spec… I did my alignment in my driveway after doing a 2.5inch level and I had to max out the settings

Any info/tips on how to do my own alignment?

 

[real_zeke]

Has the truck ever been wrecked? If wrecked or been subjected to severe use, the frame could possibly be tweaked. I used to see frame sag a lot on GM trucks that were used in commercial jobs. Aftermarket even made cam kits to get more movement on the control arms.

Truck has never been wrecked. Bought it used from an older gentlemen that only put 11K miles on it. Its a 2019 and now it has 23K miles.

 

[D Fresh]

On my first post I added a picture of the printout. The second shop didnt give me a printout because no work was done due to the camber bolts being "maxed out".

Im going to end up trying my luck with the dealership in hopes they get it right.

I've got a bit of experience setting up half assed race cars for track duty. As such I looked hard at the "after numbers" my dealership gave me when I aligned after my lift. A few things weren't sitting right with me.

So I took my truck to the local 4 Wheel Parts, explained to them my concerns, and let them have a crack at it. They nailed it spot on. I'll never get a truck aligned anywhere else.

I'm sure they have locations near you as they are a national chain.

Thats an upgrade I wanted to do down the road, but it seems now it will be sooner. Is there any recommendations you have? I dont do any crazy off-roading.. which is the reason I just went with a leveling puck over a coilover setup.

Not needed at all for your lift. There should be no trouble at all aligning your truck to specs.

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