3" lift alignment

[darring70]

Hello guys, I have a 3" lift and fliped UCA's, I went to firestone to have an alignment, this guy told me the only way to do it is if I bring the specs for a lifted trailblazer, because their computer has the stock trailblazer specs.
If any of you guys has a 3" lift with fliped UCA's and had an alignment in firestone please post the print out so I can bring it to this guy in order to work in my tb.
Thanks

[TBYODA]

Others with more knowledge please correct me if I am wrong but from my reading and understanding I don't see what a 3" lift has anything to do with alignment. IMO call other firestones and ask if any of their tech have worked on lifted trucks or suv. Because this location or tech has no clue. To be honest a sticky with the alignment points on our platform would be very helpful myself included. Don't recall ever seeing anything on site.

[djthumper]

The specs don't change. You will be slightly off but all mine uses is the stock specs.

[darring70]

Thanks guys, so I am just going to tell them to do it with the original specs (the same as the ones chevrolet saids)

[TBYODA]

The specs don't change. You will be slightly off but all mine uses is the stock specs.

IIRC the only thing they might not be able to get in spec is the caster. Edit: I am totally off base, please disregard.

[The Roadie]

Others with more knowledge please correct me if I am wrong but from my reading and understanding I don't see what a 3" lift has anything to do with alignment.

In my experience, CAMBER is more difficult to nail after a lift because of the limited adjustment range of the LCA mounting bolts.

But (and I used to get this wrong) TOE-IN changes a lot after a lift because of the geometry of the tie rod pivot point (at the ball joint of the inner tie rod end) compared to the UCA and LCA pivot points. And the outer tie rod end pivot point on the steering knuckle compared to the axis between the upper and lower ball joints. It's the reason you experience bump steer as the suspension cycles up and down, and you're preferentially weighted on one tire or the other.

Lots of references out there on suspension geometry and modeling.

[v7guy]

Darring, If you read through the flipped upper a arm thread you'll see quite a few guys post their alignment specs. You can find it here...
viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1136&hilit=Alignment&start=80

[darring70]

Thanks, I saw that thread, but it was so many pictures that I got confused. Thanks once again

[darring70]

I have an appointment tomorrow for my alignment at firestone, i will post more comments tomorrow

[Opeth]

Caster will be out, if they tell you they can only change the toe tell them they are morons. I have a slight negative camber which is ok. If they don't adjusted your lower control arms and spin your tie rods out you will have bad positive camber. They can do this and you'll have ample threads still in the inner tie rod.

I had to go to a few firestones before I found a knowledgeable master tech who knew what to do.

[darring70]

Well, I went for the alignment, they told me that I have to fix some issues on my tb before alignment ( driver side: tie rod and lca mount bracket, passenger side: uca and drive shaft ), I bought the parts today , I will put them on monday and alignment on tuesday.

[djthumper]

At least they told you what you needed. Where did you go?

[darring70]

At least they told you what you needed. Where did you go?

Went to a firestone store by my house, I just play stupid like I am going to let them fix it next weekend, the guy gave me all the details

[Bcchevy]

Ck out my build I have a alignment spec sheet in there

No tire wear drives great

A good tech should be able to get it close
As far as bump steer there is some but nothing scary like some jeeps aka death wobble

[The Roadie]

I just drove my company owner's built Wrangler. Squirrely, but driveable up to 65, and all his suspension parts are tight and without wear. Until I put 300 pounds of floor jack, tools, and supplies in the back seat. Then it had death wobble (a divergent oscillation) above about 50 MPH on a freeway. SWB plus an elevated center of gravity can kill you in those things!

[darring70]

Thanks for the pix, I fixed everyhing and I have an appointment tomorrow at three fo alignment.
Yea AGAIN.... lol (hope this time they will do it with no problems)

[darring70]

Well at the end this stupid people from firestone told me they can not do the alignment in my TB because is lifted. I brought my TB to another firestone and they told me is lift to high. Are you kidding me?.
I brought my TB to a regular mechanic and they did the alignment with no problems, the only this is thatnI could not get the print out.

[HARDTRAILZ]

Drive good?

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[DustinC1989]

Sounds like Firestone there is just as worthless as the ones here...

[darring70]

Drive good?

Drives good for me, is any way that I can check my camber at home? Just to make sure is ok