OK = basics.
Y61 is a front beam axle, so other than toe in, there is no other adjustment done for a wheel alignment. (Unless you change castor bushes or add drop boxes etc, the only way to adjust the caster and camber is to BEND the diff housing.)
Y62 is independent front end. so yeah, you can adjust more than the toe in, which is why they used those figures on your fudged "alignment"
So if you have a Y61 and they claim to have changed the caster or camber angles, you have documented proof of absolute bull$h!t.
Here's what I reckon has happened based on previous experience in the tyre and alignment game.
- 1 The original Bridgestone tyres were made in Japan and of really good quality - but your Bridgie replacements are crap made in any of half a dozen cheap labour countries with poor standards. ........ Poorly made tyres need lots of balance weights, and if not cast and cured properly will PULL/Drag unevenly as well as give you higher fuel consumption. (bet you've got a wad of weights on every wheel totaling more than 35g per wheel)
The standard "cure" (sleaze out) is to put pulling tyres on the rear axle (which your blokes have done) - except the rear tyres that went on the front were shoddy too. This "cure" is what you do for cheap retreads, not new quality tyres.
-2 You cannot alter the caster and camber to change "pull" (on Y61), but you can adjust the "return to centre" damper and spring position on the track rod.
This will place spring tension on your steering to push it against the pull of your dodgy tyres.......... however without changing the steering wheel spline, your steering wheel will now be off centre. Also the spring is a fixed load, where the pull of the tyres will vary depending on road surface, vehicle load and tyre pressure. SO result is it will be all over the place and handle like a blind brumby.
The cure. = Find out where your tyres are made. Yokohama, Toyo, some Dunlop, still make tyres in Japan and stamp "made in Japan" on the sidewalls. If there is nothing stamped on the sidewalls regarding place of manufacture you can usually assume they are poor quality.
Try a set of a mates tyres on your rig if possible.
Last set of Bridgies I put on my Patrol only lasted a month before I resold them to a young hoon for a third the price I bought them. Utter crap.
I've sworn by Bridgestone for 40 years = fitted to every vehicle I've owned, always top quality. Never questioned the choice. .... Until the last set I bought (and will ever by) caused me to research what the hell went wrong.
Bet you buttons to billions it's the tyres.
If possible, get a written opinion from a reputable tyre/alignment shop and see if you can get a refund for your tyre purchase or a trade in on a better set of tyres.
Never do business with the original tyre shop again, and make sure you tell everyone your story.
I took pride in doing a good value job and looking after customers - business was very successful. I deeply loath dodgy operators - they place cash above safety and ethics.
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