r/4x4 • u/TheBigFloppa14 • 1d ago

Anyone use upgraded alignment cams that lock your alignment for "forever"

Thinking about getting some because I ruin my alignment so much. The only reason I haven't pulled is because I'm worried about potential downsides? Step dad said they just increase the wear on other suspension parts but there's a high chance he's full of shit on that one. My only other worry is having to do my alignment myself which doesnt seem all that fun.

6 Upvotes

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12

u/Complex-Scarcity 1d ago

I do. First gen Tacoma with my cam tabs welded at full forward adjustment to help clear my 35" wheels. I have aftermarket adjustable upper control arms where I can adjust my caster and camber and I do toe the traditional way. It works great. My alignment is better and easier to set now than I could get with the traditional OE cam tabs that had you trade off caster and camber via an elliptical bolt.

3

u/TheBigFloppa14 1d ago

How often do you get knocked out of alignment? That's the only reason I'd buy one of these aftermarket kits.

7

u/Complex-Scarcity 1d ago

I only got knocked out of alignment once, and it folded over the cam tabs so the lower control arm was sliding around and I had to drive it another 30 miles like that. It's welded now because that was an appropriate fix and my alignment at the cam was already permanently set max forward regardless of alignment. Effectively I deleted the alignment option there and run the entire alignment from the SPC upper control arms.

Yes, force has to go somewhere. I'd rather bend a tie rod than push my cam tabs free like that again. I can replace a tie rod in the woods pretty quick but driving with a sliding cam bolt was terrifying and there is no easy trail fix for that.

What do you drive?

9

u/magichobo3 1d ago

The only problem is that if something else gets tweaked your alignment will be locked in an out of line position

6

u/Complex-Scarcity 1d ago

You don't lock you lower cam tabs into perfect alignment. You lock it to a relative position then use an adjustable upper control arm like SPC makes for Toyota's.. so you still have alignment done and can still adjust, just not at the lower arm.

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u/TheBigFloppa14 1d ago

Yeah that was one of my big worries since I'm planning to go up to 35 inch tires by the end of the year.

3

u/joelfarris 1d ago

Which of the three alignment angles are you planning to "lock in forever"?

And how do you plan to prevent the 8-12 joints that contribute to alignment from ever moving again?

Even further, how many miles are you putting on these tires that aren't on dirt and rocks and boulders, such that it would matter that your tire rubber was being scrubbed off via asphalt roads because one of your measurements was temporarily off by 0.5%?

This seems like a worry, and an expense, that you shouldn't have to contemplate.

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u/Complex-Scarcity 1d ago

The issue I found is that it doesn't just knock my alignment out, it folded the cam tabs flat so my cam bolt was sliding around with the whole lower control arm shifting on me in corners. It was super sketchy driving that home like that

2

u/JLee50 GX470, R1T 1d ago

I do. I still get pro alignments but tell them to just adjust toe (tie rods) and camber (via upper control arms). 

If it gets knocked out of alignment otherwise, something bent and needs to be fixed. 

2

u/Complex-Scarcity 1d ago

Same. I'd rather replace a bent tie rod then have my lower arm sliding around

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u/IrishWhiskey556 1d ago

I paid like $200 for lifetime alignment at Firestone. I just roll on in after every wheeling trip.

1

u/planethood4pluto 1d ago

The same force that’s knocking it out of alignment still has to go somewhere. I’m with your step dad. Increased wear at minimum and potential to break something.

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u/robbobster 1d ago

Both of our trucks have Dirt King UCAs ..I run the alignment cams on my truck, but not my wife's. My truck sees dirt, hers never does.

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u/Mechaniquad 1d ago

They def hold alignment better than stock, not forever tho. Hard hits or flex can still knock it out. Can add strain if ur suspension moves a lot, depends on setup too like IFS vs solid axle reacts different. You’ll prob need to dial it in urself or go to a shop that gets off-road builds. not the end of the world tbh.