Ever done a alignment yourself?
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Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 598
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From: Mansfield, Ohio
I have access to free alignments since I am a instructor at a technical school and had my truck aligned one month before adding the 2" leveling kit. The toe was changed (out of spec.) and had to be reset. As stated by the other members save your tires and get it aligned, your tires will thank you for it.
you know now that you said something about tech school I went to a tech school my jr and sr year for auto tech I bet i could take my truck there and let the kids do it simple job and shop teacher knows me pretty well so im sure he would watch over them
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Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 598
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From: Mansfield, Ohio
OK guys thanks for all the imput I finished the leveling kit up tonight wasnt to bad of a job besides a found a front shock was shot and wouldnt decompress lol but thats fixed. I do have a question regarding the alingment thing I think I will take it in somewhere because I took the truck down the road after I was done, and the steering seemed a little touchy? Its amazing how much 2 inches makes a difference in height I didnt think it would make much difference but it looks good!!! Sorry for the crappy pic twas dark when I finished 
Last edited by 97Rampowerhouse; Jan 27, 2011 at 09:51 PM.
Professional
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: salem
the caster and toe will be slightly affected but shouldnt cause excessive wear. caster cannot be set by the do it yourselfer.even toe is tricky without proper equipment.its only 60 bucks for a 2wheel alignment at most shops if they try to sell you the 4 wheel that would be bull because your rear cant be adjusted.
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Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Mansfield, Ohio
Its amazing how dick faces like that try to take advantage of ppl I'd take a trip down and ask them if you could watch them align the rear end and see what they say. Then I'd ask them why they think its ok to steal ppls money
Administrator
Joined: Apr 2010
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From: Clayton MI
Some of the shops simply "call" it a four wheel alignment, because of the way their machine works.... They HAVE to hang the heads off of the rear wheels, as that is where the front heads get their reference signals from........ Its just an excuse to charge more for something you aren't getting.
The rear end on these trucks is NOT adjustable in any conventional sense of the word.
They also tend to charge more for a 4wd truck.... even though there is less to adjust.....
The rear end on these trucks is NOT adjustable in any conventional sense of the word.
They also tend to charge more for a 4wd truck.... even though there is less to adjust.....
Professional
Joined: Nov 2010
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From: salem
Ya i think i might have to go down and ask this ****** all about the 4 wheel alignment. It makes sense that they have to use the rear wheels to set the front but they are not doing any aligning to the rears so i will see what they say. Thanks for clearing that up guys
Professional
Joined: Jan 2011
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Doesnt the 2" spacer pull the axle back X amount(caster) and shift it over X amount(trac-bar) and pull the tires in(toe) do to the Y-set-up? Would thinks these area's need to be adressed? Other wise your twisting the axle back in to place dog leg style.
Amateur
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: East Tennessee
Yes to all. That's the reasons for the alignment after the leveling kit.
Amateur
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: East Tennessee
OK guys thanks for all the imput I finished the leveling kit up tonight wasnt to bad of a job besides a found a front shock was shot and wouldnt decompress lol but thats fixed. I do have a question regarding the alingment thing I think I will take it in somewhere because I took the truck down the road after I was done, and the steering seemed a little touchy? Its amazing how much 2 inches makes a difference in height I didnt think it would make much difference but it looks good!!! Sorry for the crappy pic twas dark when I finished
Yea- I had the same problem the steering was touchy to the point of darting off and having to counter steer to get it back. You will probably have to adjust your head lights down a little to, mine were high and the oncoming was complaining a little.
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Fairfax VA
Ya i think i might have to go down and ask this ****** all about the 4 wheel alignment. It makes sense that they have to use the rear wheels to set the front but they are not doing any aligning to the rears so i will see what they say. Thanks for clearing that up guys
I don't think (or I hope) they are trying to rip you off. The service is marketed to the masses which are cars with 4 wheel independent suspension. There are fewer and fewer cars with soild rear axles and even less with solid fronts. Years ago it was common to offer both front and 4 wheel alignments, but becuase of confusion of the masses and economics it has become standard to just offer one product. In reality most tech are only going to adjust toe anyway regardless of the vehicle since that is what wears tires.