Very Quick PML Question !

[Pancake81]

Hey Gang,

I have torqued my front end up, and got just a hair under the .5 inch clearance on the bump stops. It is all settled, leveled and ready for a front end alignment, but my rear shackles have not arrived yet. Do I have to wait to put my rear shackles on before I do my front end alignment, or would it be best to do the alignment and get my shackles on after?

Any advice appreciated. I have brad new snow tires on and I don't want to run it longer than I have to without an alignment, but will the front require adjustments after the rear shackles?

 

[robcarync]

Normally, I would reccommend you install the shackles first. Reason? Lifting the rear can alter the weight distribution and change the bump stop gaps/lift in the front. So put the shackles on first, then adjust the torsion bars in the front to match the rear as best as you can.

From what I have been able to tell...just a PML won't screw up your alignment too too bad. I ran my PML with no alignment for months before getting an alignment (had old tires, was waiting for an alignment once I got new replacements), and I had no noticeable wear patterns.

I would wait on the alignment to install the shackles. Then double check your bump stop gaps after you drive it around some with the shackles, adjust as needed. I just recently tweaked my torsion bars a few days ago, and after I drove it for a day, my bump stop gap had increased nearly 3/8" from the suspension settling...

 

[TJTJ]

Yeah, the PML uses a different alignment spec...and, lifting the butt transfers weight forward often reducing front ride height...so, drive as few miles as possible to avoid setting in a outer tread wear pattern, install the shackles, and re-check the front stop gaps...adjust as needed (Might or might not need to depending on what's left of your t-bar's strength...), and go get that alignment using the PML/3" SL specs.

 

[Pancake81]

Sounds logical. Thanks for the reply Guys. I am in canada and ordered my shackles from 4x4parts, so might be 7-10 days (maybe longer?). I will just limit driving, and get them on right away when they get here. Drive like that for a day or two, recheck front gaps (adjust if necessary) and then get an alignment to the specs on the PML sticky. Sound like a plan?

Thanks again for the input

 

[RCMIKE]

what is the new alignment spec? Is this a spec that you need to tell the tire shop when they do the alignment?

 

[robcarync]

basically...alignment and set camber as close to 0 as possible...

Basically, when you lift the front end, you trade some caster split for keeping you camber in spec. Per the factory spec, your caster will be lower...I basically leave a note in my truck taped to the steering whel:

Lifted alignment specs:

Camber: keep both tires at 0 camber, or as close to 0 as possible

Caster: Front right tire, adjust to the maximum caster possible while maintaining 0 camber. Adjust driver caster back to compensate for road crown and tracking

Toe: stock toe in (0.08 inches toe in on each side, 0.16 total inches toe...or in degrees....0.16 degrees each side for 0.32 total degrees toe in)

Basically toe in is stock setting. Camber, you just want to specify 0, and caster is basically a method for getting it as close to stock as possible