Alignment issues after 3” lift

Hey all. Trying to get ahead of all the issues I’ve caused from putting in a 3” spacer lift. I found this forum after I had the lift installed. I went on the advice of a buddy who has the same set up (oops) and I’m slowly moving towards a proper suspension lift. Budget was never a huge constraint so I’m frustrated with my past self.

After new LCAs (stuck bolts) my alignment wasn’t bad on the sheet but had a bit of a bull stance and I was noticing a bit of wear on the inside of my new KO3s, I had always planned on doing some more work so I researched a bit and I picked up a set of SPC UCAs to help out my alignment.

I don’t have a lot of options with shops around here but found someone willing to put them on and they’re having trouble. They get the alignment good on the machine and take it out for a drive and everything goes off. They’ve been on the phone with SPC techs and everyone’s stumped. Right now if I take my truck back with everything in the green I won’t get it home before everything’s out of line again.

Anyone have advice? These guys are an alignment shop and say they have no idea what could be wrong and my best course of action is to put the factory control arms back. I’m not ready to do that yet because for one I’ll be chewing through tires again and also I won’t know what the problem was or if ordering a different brand of UCA will fix it. I’ve already beat myself up for going with a cheap, too high lift but I’m willing to make it work as I love the look, it’s in great shape and I’d like to have it running well for life. Please help!

 

Unfortunately it sounds like the shop doesn’t have the knowledge to do it. Even when I had my Ironman lift 3 1/2” and SPC uppers it was able to be aligned just fine. You may have to drive a bit to get to a competent shop.

 

You def need to find a better alignment shop. I'm on a 3/1 with no UCA's and I have no tire wear. They should be able to get your toe and camber set, at worse caster can be off but that won't wear tires, maybe a slight pull

 

Thanks for the response. I think this is the right answer. SPC has been really easy to connect with and troubleshoot. I sent some videos and pictures today. They confirmed it’s the right part for my tundra and that the install looks good. My shop spent a half hour on the phone with their tech department as well but they didn’t get any closer to a good alignment (or one that will keep).

 

Am I tracking right that they align it, get good numbers, drive it and the numbers change? Sounds like something isn't torqued properly.

 

That’s what I would think as a layman. They’re saying they can’t explain it but I feel the possibilities would be pretty limited. They specifically mentioned that the ball joint isn’t slipping in the track on the uppers. I’m asking them tomorrow for a print out of before and after.

 

Yeah, it was a nearby shop (not the current one) that did the alignment after my lift. They suggested getting new UCA when I complained the truck has a noticeable bull dog stance. They put it on the machine again after my complaint and it reduced the look a bit but said the adjustments were maxed out with the factory uppers. I looked at the print out and the numbers were in the green for toe and camber it was the caster that was off the most.

 

What spacer kit is installed? On the SPC's, what position is the star plate in? Is the top nut actually torqued to the specs on the installation sheet? The most common setting for the star plate is the neutral "D"position, and pulled all the way out towards the outside of the truck.

 

I'm not an alignment tech, or even a mechanic. Just a DIY guy. Sounds like they've eliminated issues with the UCA installation; that's pretty easy and SPC's instructions are easy to follow.

I'd look hard at the alignment cams. Are the tabs intact or are they flat? Are the bolts torqued to 207 ft lbs?

 

the shop that did mine, set caster with the SPC arm, then camber, then finally toe. Good alignment techs are very hard to come by. Most shops are “ toe and go” kinda shops.

 

UPDATE:

thanks for all the responses, folks. I took it to another shop and the alignment is fantastic. The tech had no issues at all.

 

Did he say what the issue was?

 

So the 2nd shop just did a routine alignment with nothing to report. I went back to the original shop today to settle up for the install and get my spare key. When I went in they told me after my failed alignment they did a few with no issues but then had the same problem with another truck. They had an issue with their alignment ramp once they did some troubleshooting (seized bearings or wheels??) and apologized for the inconvenience.

I got a great deal on the install of my uppers and feel confident again in the overall health of my front end - great day.

 

The cams are brand new! They held an OK alignment after I had the lift installed which made lead me to eliminate the LCAs from my list of possible problems.