Your Raptor and It's Alignment

[pirate air]

Thanks for the video. Pretty straight forward. I called the shop where I had the cam kit installed and asked why they only installed the kit on the front portion of the A- arm. They said they only need to adjust the front to get it within spec for the alignment.

I would think that both front and back would need to be adjusted to do it right.

Here are my current settings:

Your camber is still pretty high/negative, specially on the left side. The caster is also pretty high/positive but really that won't hurt anything, you could put a kit in the rears and bring both lower front control arms rear attachments in towards the chassis. That would bring the camber in and use up some extra caster. I would do a rear kit and adjust it if it was my truck, at the very least watch the front tire inside wear.

Is there any reason on the third perch, w cam kits, that a shop shouldn't be able to align it?

I have taken it to three places. The first one just took my money and I don't think did a damn thing. The second place didn't wanna do it because the entire truck was a lil lower on the driver side (diff post others have it and is within Fords spec so not an issue, other than pissing me off after I noticed it). The third place couldn't do it without the cam kit. Installed it and aligned it, but they couldn't get it just right. I really started thinking that even with the cam kit it couldn't happen.

On the third perch it is harder to get the truck alignment "ideal", but a competent shop should be able to get it close/decent. On the third perch getting the caster and camber "ideal" is hard because you start to run out of adjustment, alignment cam kit or not. That's when an after market upper control arm with a little bit of built in positive caster comes into play. Did the last place happen to give you a print off?

So I'm still having a issue with my 2012 SCrew alignment, I have taken it to the dealer twice and both times they have set it to within specs. I have cupping on the outside edge and always have the steering wheel cranked to the left because of the road crown, its like there is no on center feel at all almost play in the steering. I drove my Brothers 2010 Raptor Scab and it is perfect with nice on center feel and tight, and he beats the hell out of his truck. I haven't even taken the truck off road yet, I'm having enough alignment problems just driving back and forth to work, any one have any recommendation's on this issue?

Sounds like a toe adjustment issue causing the tire cupping, and possibly low positive caster causing the lack of steering wheel returnability and road crown tracking. Hate to sound like a broken record, but did you get a print off? It's the only thing I can really go off to help diagnose the problem. If you can find an alignment shop to work with you, have them set the total toe slightly positive, caster 4.0*ish positive (both sides) and camber 0*-.4* negative both sides). With it set similar to this, you should have no issues unless there's a mechanical problem with the truck. That above is where I keep my truck and I get very good tire wear and it takes a lot of road crown to sway my truck.

 

[MikeD]

Sounds like a toe adjustment issue causing the tire cupping, and possibly low positive caster causing the lack of steering wheel returnability and road crown tracking. Hate to sound like a broken record, but did you get a print off? It's the only thing I can really go off to help diagnose the problem. If you can find an alignment shop to work with you, have them set the total toe slightly positive, caster 4.0*ish positive (both sides) and camber 0*-.4* negative both sides). With it set similar to this, you should have no issues unless there's a mechanical problem with the truck. That above is where I keep my truck and I get very good tire wear and it takes a lot of road crown to sway my truck.

Thanks for the reply, I thought the dealer gave me the printout but I can't find it so I'll give them a call tomorrow and try to get it.

 

[Wilson]

Or,
Positive/negative Camber can be remembered like this (if your a man that is); visualize a chick named Camber, shes hot, naked, and laying on her back in your bed; her legs are the front tires, her knees being the top of the tires; if her legs were closed, knees tilted in, that would be negative (BAD) Camber, if here legs were open, knees tilted out, that would be positive (GOOD) Camber.


this was my favorite part

 

[Swanny]

On the third perch it is harder to get the truck alignment "ideal", but a competent shop should be able to get it close/decent. On the third perch getting the caster and camber "ideal" is hard because you start to run out of adjustment, alignment cam kit or not. That's when an after market upper control arm with a little bit of built in positive caster comes into play. Did the last place happen to give you a print off?

They did at the time. Its been a little bit, honestly I went with the "live with" route. I will see about going back and finding out. Thanks for the info, again.

 

[KaiserM715]

I got mine aligned today. Here are the as adjusted values:

-------------Left------Right
Camber_____-0.4____-0.2
Caster_______3.9____4.1
Toe_________0.11___0.09
Total toe: 0.21

I got the alignment and they installed the camber kits I provided for $70. I am pleased.

 

[VARaptr]

SDHQ had a video posted of the perch mod and I think they had the cam install, too... wish I would book mark that stuff when I stumble on it in these posts! Anyway, anybody seen these and can provide the link? Thanks!

 

[The Brit]

My alignment specs, I did not bother with the camber kits this time - it seems my camber was untouched during the alignment...

_________Left ____Right
Camber___-0.7____-0.5
Caster____ 4.4_____4.1
Toe______0.10____0.07
Total toe: 0.18

 

[SDHQJASON]

One thing to take into consideration is that not only do the cams help get the truck in spec, they keep it there. If you were to hit a curb or a rough pot hole it can knock your truck out of alignment or if you take your truck off road. Over the last desert we did, a lot of guys knocked their alignments out. But, mine is exactly the same as before I went out.

 

[RatedSVT]

One thing to take into consideration is that not only do the cams help get the truck in spec, they keep it there. If you were to hit a curb or a rough pot hole it can knock your truck out of alignment or if you take your truck off road. Over the last desert we did, a lot of guys knocked their alignments out. But, mine is exactly the same as before I went out.

Part number & where did you get them. Just trying to make sure I have everything I need before I get this done. Kind of like a check list

 

[Yukon Joe]

Part number & where did you get them. Just trying to make sure I have everything I need before I get this done. Kind of like a check list

Post 119 on page 12 has information on the cam kit to purchase.

I know what you mean about not being able to follow all of the adjustments. This weekend when I was messing with my tie rods, I had to set the toe on my own. Its amazing what you learn when you get to do things on you own. One small adjustment on that tie rod really affects the toe setting. Thanks to PA for the tip on how to set the toe (relatively close, I'll still need a shop alignment.)