Drag link Ln106 Hilux 1995

Macca
Why is that? There is not much amiss with his unit and it only needs some adjustments. If he understands the concepts he can fix it just as well as Pedders can. Anyone can replace parts, which is what Pedders can /will do because they find faults which aren't even there. That is from knowing many people experiences where Pedders found faults with system which had been returned to excellent condition and taken to them for assessment. I would never trust them.

RMD,

Reason for taking it to an “expert”, is that after all parts have been replaced etc, it still needs an alignment, and this is best done with the appropriate alignment “machine”. Yes, you can do it using strings and tape measures, but alignment machines would be easier. Pedders was an example, any reputable suspension mechanic should also be able to do the job. There are “good and bad” tradesmen in any occupation.

Macca.

Macca
Any mechanic with basic training and understanding should be easily able to rectify the issues. I see Wally as asking for some guidance and he probably wants to learn about it too. Taking it to a business doesn't ensure it is rectified and sometimes makes it worse. Yes , I agree there are plenty of mechanics who have less than desirable abilities and understanding. No whizz bang aligner is required to set or read the simple front end involved here. Waste of time because it probably would need tweaking afterwards anyway. If someone understands the concepts they can then allow for it and make appropriate adjustments. A business will see any worn but serviceable parts as requiring replacement with new at great cost, happens daily. I have set my own wheel alignment for decades and some caravans too and see professional ones wear tyres alarmingly, but they are in specs of course, a digital brain said so, who can argue? The mechanic doesn't question it and out it goes.

Wally
I believe they don't know many concepts, cars systems especially. No Bull.
It is easy to see if they fitted Wedges to correct camber by work done on front U bolts and there is suddenly shims in there. If dirt still there no caster done. They would cost some $$$$$'s anyway, Plus $$$$'s for fitting, so it seems they didn't do the caster at all. They didn't fit caster/camber correction kit to the swivel hub bearings either, much bigger job and more than they could handle, so nothing done on the Camber issue if not already correct. That ONLY leaves the toe in to be done, which can almost be done blindfold and requires little gear. If tyres were not scrubbing on inside or outside then it didn't require any adjustment. $88 for an alignment is standard cost but easy easy easy money as they didn't have to do much if anything.
Unless you remove the drag link ball joint, ie, apart, and determine the centre of steering box position first, and with wheels in the normal running straight position, adjust the Drag link to where the ball joint taper now is and can slip into the steering arm of box. Then all should be centralized and steering wheel straight. Pedders didn't do that either. So really, NO ALIGNMENT was done. Toe in/out adjustment is a part of wheel alignment but simple simple to do. The is no way they tested it on road and at speed to check if the dynamics of anything they may have done, is as it should be.
In straight ahead position - With one straight edge/ straight RHS tube across the face of the wheels to a metre in front and rear of wheel faces and measuring with a tape measure for the toe in amount. Should be almost nothing. Adjust tie rod if needed. If steering position alters, drag link adjusted appropriately.
Most of them, if not all are not mechanics. My local Pedders only had one person who was qualified.

PS. The steering box adjustment has to be done with wheels UP or even better, drag link off, so a fine adjustment can be done in relation to binding if excessive wear is present. Steering boxes are specially made with the sector teeth "centre high" so that area can wear in central area, be adjustable, and not bind up when turning to lock either side. Aussie vehicles always will tend to get tight when turning left if adjustment for excessive wear exceeds the OE design limits of adjustment. After adjustment make sure you test any steering movement fully, before road testing.

I hope they didn't get the steering wheel straight by taking it off and relocating it on the splines. Extremely Shonky if so. If no drag link adjustment by them, then how did they get the steering wheel better??????? Impossible.