Steering feels light after alignment - whats off?

Hey fellas,

After lift install, had truck aligned. I was in a rush, and didn't get the printout. No clue what my numbers are. Truck drives well straight line, tires appear to be wearing ok - but it just feels light as hell. Slight wander on the roads, and the wheel is feather light to turn. Any guess what alignment spec is out of whack?

Thanks,
Jim

 

Did your caster change significantly?

 

No clue - I dont have a printout. Trying to get my ducks in order before either complaining to the shop or just go elsewhere

 

Iv'e made the mistake of not getting a print out of the numbers before. Turned out the alignment was fracked. You can check your camber by putting a little flour on the ground and running over it, then look at the tire to see where it's hitting. You can check the other adjustments too but it's time consuming. If you're sure the tires are wearing well that only (in my mind) leaves caster. I think 3* is a good number, just my opinion and others might have different numbers. For my own truck I'd like to have more like 5* but don't think my Icon UCAs will allow it.

 

This is an oldschool shop - uses the mirror system. They can handwrite the numbers, but I was in a race to get Christmas shopping and completely forgot.

Have an appointment for Monday - but - if they decide there is "no issues caused by us" - I get charged a $25 inspection fee. Hence trying to figure out what I think is wrong before going. At that rate, I'm half tempted to just go somewhere else and eat another alignment.

 

I got a lifetime alignment deal for about $150. Then, after the second alignment, they told me since my truck is modified, lifetime means 3 yrs. Still worth it.

 

I'd guess on the Caster.

 

Could over inflated tires create that feeling?

Did they add air to your tires?

 

did you drive the truck with the lift on and before the alignment or everything was done at once ?

 

I did the lift myself - then drove about 10 minutes to the alignment shop. Before the alignment, the steering felt normal, but the tires were visibly + camber, and felt less grippy in corners (as expected). To the naked eye, they look ok now. I'm going to try driving over some powder and see what that shows me.

On my way out of the shop the guy said "its perfect 0s". Whatever that means, Im guessing he meant caster and camber.

 

Have them maximize positive caster and then set the camber followed by the toe. 3+ degrees is what you're shooting for with 5+ being the goal.

What lift was installed?

 

either more air pressure or less caster.perhaps a combination of both also.

 

I'm with you on that .