A.S. 2.3 inch leveling Kit alignment numbers

[mightymouse43]

This may be a dumb question but here goes… I installed my Auto Spring leveling kit yeaterday and got it aligned this morning. The alignment tech said he had a very hard time getting everything into spec. My camber is a little off. However everything else is ‘green’. Attached is a picture. Should I find a new alignment shop or live with it. It drives fine? But he said it may pull a bit. I come from an MX-5 where every 10th was a big deal. Any advise would be awesome.

and wonder if it’s the same here.

 

[Finnster]

My 2.5” AS kit aligned fine with very little adjustment according to my alignment shop.

 

[Cranbery]

My 2.5” AS kit aligned fine with very little adjustment according to my alignment shop.

Same. Drives perfect.

Find a new shop.

 

[FaKtor34]

I would have it checked elsewhere, somebody somewhere mentioned they had to get some sort of camber kit or were told they need it.

 

[mightymouse43]

Ok. I think I am going to take it to a speciality alignment shop. I needed to drive about 400 miles this week and wanted it to be done, but at least my numbers are close enough I won’t trash my tires. Thanks for the input guys.

 

[ChsTremor]

I would have it checked elsewhere, somebody somewhere mentioned they had to get some sort of camber kit or were told they need it.

Same. I had a GMC quadrasteer truck, no mods, and was told by a shop that they couldn’t get it aligned and that was just the way it is.
This is also the same shop that didn’t properly tighten the camber bolt and almost had me wreck in a road trip.

 

[DeaconNyte]

Ok, so heres my input - I installed the Auto Spring kit into my 22 F150 Tremor a few days ago - took about 2.5 hours for both sides in my home garage - I watched a video of going from the bottom (ie removing the LCA instead of dealing with any axle issue) - wasn't that bad of an install.. usual pain in the ass kind of things like getting the new strut lined up fighting the UCA and LCA for clearance while lining up the holes --BUT - I would not do this method If doing again - Why , because you mess with the LCA which is what's used to keep your Camber and Caster in check... Took my truck by the Ford Dealership to let them do the alignment and was told to do it right I would need a Camber adjustment kit ( need two Moog kits - $60) but they could get the Toe in spec ( Toe was at 5.6) - so I get the truck back and toe is not in spec (0.57, 0.54) and they state that's the best they could do without the kit ( So at this time , toe, camber and caster are out of spec) ... so I bought the kit and I will need to install myself and I could bring back and they would do again for 50% off the original $109 price.....after researching online - I found out basically they didn't want to put the extra time in - to get the alignment perfect and would take 2 techs to do the alignment as the camber kit makes it easy and a one person job. So after reading further I see hundreds of replies where others had an alignment and the toe was just barely out of spec and was then corrected easily with an alignment.... so by working from the top down, your not messing with any of the alignment nuts --- so doing it this way cost me $60 for the camber kit and another $55 for the 2nd alignment ($115) ...

 

[Fozzy]

I put the Camber kit on every time, when I do an alignment or add a lift/level. Its super nice to have and you can mark it so you can see if you knocked it out of alignment bashing it. It was a must have on the Raptor. My BDS kit has it built into the drop brackets. Alignment was spot on.

 

[mightymouse43]

Ok, so heres my input - I installed the Auto Spring kit into my 22 F150 Tremor a few days ago - took about 2.5 hours for both sides in my home garage - I watched a video of going from the bottom (ie removing the LCA instead of dealing with any axle issue) - wasn't that bad of an install.. usual pain in the ass kind of things like getting the new strut lined up fighting the UCA and LCA for clearance while lining up the holes --BUT - I would not do this method If doing again - Why , because you mess with the LCA which is what's used to keep your Camber and Caster in check... Took my truck by the Ford Dealership to let them do the alignment and was told to do it right I would need a Camber adjustment kit ( need two Moog kits - $60) but they could get the Toe in spec ( Toe was at 5.6) - so I get the truck back and toe is not in spec (0.57, 0.54) and they state that's the best they could do without the kit ( So at this time , toe, camber and caster are out of spec) ... so I bought the kit and I will need to install myself and I could bring back and they would do again for 50% off the original $109 price.....after researching online - I found out basically they didn't want to put the extra time in - to get the alignment perfect and would take 2 techs to do the alignment as the camber kit makes it easy and a one person job. So after reading further I see hundreds of replies where others had an alignment and the toe was just barely out of spec and was then corrected easily with an alignment.... so by working from the top down, your not messing with any of the alignment nuts --- so doing it this way cost me $60 for the camber kit and another $55 for the 2nd alignment ($115) ...

I did the same method for install and bought the same moog kit. I heard almost the same story from the tech that did mine. I am going to call the alignment shop that I took my other cars to tomorrow and have them install the camber kit and re-align it. I’m kinda pissed that I am doing it twice but I was impatient and did it on a holiday weekend. Still loving the look of the truck. It drives fine, I just want it to be dialed in.

 

[DeaconNyte]

I did the same method for install and bought the same moog kit. I heard almost the same story from the tech that did mine. I am going to call the alignment shop that I took my other cars to tomorrow and have them install the camber kit and re-align it. I’m kinda pissed that I am doing it twice but I was impatient and did it on a holiday weekend. Still loving the look of the truck. It drives fine, I just want it to be dialed in.

Im going to try a different direction, going to order the RC 3" Coils tomorrow ( part# 501059 ( essentially the RC 2.5 kit minus the rear block)). when they get here , I will remove the oem coils/2" spacer and install the RC coils and camber kit and have it realigned again. Maybe its me but I've always thought the stock coils were too soft... I'll drive it for a day or 2 before I get it aligned and make sure its good what Im looking for.

 

[mightymouse43]

Sorry to bring this thread back from the dead but I did get my alignment fixed by a reputable shop. Should have went there in the first place. They did not need my camber kit and it came out perfectly square. As in all numbered left and right matched and were within spec. Find a good alignment shop. Lesson learned for me hope this thread helps other people as well.

 

[MidlandTremor]

Hard to tell from your picture; but is that stock tires? Or did you upgrade? If you swapped, what size did you go with ?

I have the 2.3” level ordered & looking for anyone that has real experience with a 2.3” lift & adding 285/75/r18 tires (I’m looking at the Nitto ridge grapplers)

 

[mightymouse43]

Yes those are sock tires. I want to wear them out first then upgrade.

 

[Fozzy]

Sorry to bring this thread back from the dead but I did get my alignment fixed by a reputable shop. Should have went there in the first place. They did not need my camber kit and it came out perfectly square. As in all numbered left and right matched and were within spec. Find a good alignment shop. Lesson learned for me hope this thread helps other people as well.

You don't NEED the camber kit, it just makes the job way easier and more precise. Once installed its always there. Worth it, unless you only plan on one alignment job.

 

[Bannerman]

@mightymouse43 how much lift did you get? Was it spot on 2.3"?

 

[mightymouse43]

@mightymouse43 how much lift did you get? Was it spot on 2.3"?

Yes. it was spot on at 2.3 after my final alignment and driving for about 50 miles or so to let all the bushings settle back in. On level ground i have a very slight rake, maybe a half an inch or less. when i measure ground to fender i am equal on both sides and front to back. So far I am super happy with the results.

 

[Bannerman]

Yes. it was spot on at 2.3 after my final alignment and driving for about 50 miles or so to let all the bushings settle back in. On level ground i have a very slight rake, maybe a half an inch or less. when i measure ground to fender i am equal on both sides and front to back. So far I am super happy with the results.

Thanks, CV angles look ok? No boot fins rubbing?

 

[mightymouse43]

Thanks, CV angles look ok? No boot fins rubbing?

Correct, no rubbing and the CV angles look fine. I asked my alignment shop if they had concerns (they also do CV work and lifts) they said it was fine with no issues but time will tell.. I have high expectations for longevity based on the new shops analysis and what they reported on.

 

[Bannerman]

Correct, no rubbing and the CV angles look fine. I asked my alignment shop if they had concerns (they also do CV work and lifts) they said it was fine with no issues but time will tell.. I have high expectations for longevity based on the new shops analysis and what they reported on.

Great. I have the 2.0 kit (which apparently measures the same as the Stage 3/AS 2.3"). But don't pick truck up until tomorrow.

Looks great by the way.