I was looking at the upper control arm shaft where it bolts to the frame on my 90 B2200 and I see no shims that would be used for alignment, IE, caster and camber. On pretty much every other vehicle I've owned with suspension components similar to this B2200, there were shims between the control arm and frame mounts. The shims usually create an offset or angle between the control arm shaft and frame in order to provide a slight positive caster position of the spindle. The positive caster makes the vehicle track straighter and also helps with steering wheel return to center after turning. Anyway, my B2200 seems to not track straight too well on its own and has no return to center effect after turning. I'm thinking the caster is not correct. I'm thinking the caster is 0 or negative when it should actually be positive.

For you other B2200 owners, or 2000 -2600 2wd, are there shims between your upper control are mounts and frame?

I'm thinking about getting some shims and attempting to add some positive caster. After that I'll use the level and string line method to get the camber and toe in the ball park. I've done this on other vehicles with pretty good results.

 

A couple of years ago, Brakes Plus would do a free alignment check with read-outs printed.

For toe, I've tried the string method using the rear wheels, but I think I like the tape measure way better, and set toe in to 1/8 inch.

 

I found a diagram of shim components and a spec sheet. I plan to check all the upper and lower control arm bushings first and replace if needed. If everything looks good I'll get some more shims and add to the aft locations of the upper control arms. My goal is to increase positive caster to increase straight tracking effect and increase wheel return to center after turning. After increasing aft position shim thickness I'll check and adjust camber with a level and toe with string line.

 

Cusser, when you say set toe at 1/8", do mean 1/8 in on each side?

 

No. 1/8 inch less at front of tire than at rear, half-way up so 3 & 9 o'clock positions. Tape measure from tread channel to the same on other side of truck.

 

To clarify, I know how to take the measurement like you say, 3 and 9 o’clock on the sidewall.

But, 1/8” toe in on each side, is this correct?

meaning 1/4” total.

or 1/16” each side for 1/8” total?

 

Hold on, I get it. You say measure from tire tread to tire tread and set at 1/8” toe in. Now I understand that you mean 1/8” is the total including both sides.

Im doing the string line method by wrapping a taught string around the rear tires that runs up past both front tires. So, with my method I need to set 1/16” on each side.

 

String line method like this