Alignment question

[olympicgold]

I have weird situation. My car used to pull slightly to the right. Since my tires were almost completely bare yesterday I put 4 brand new tires on. Now when I am driving the car is pulling slightly left.

So I called alignment shop and they said that alignment does not fix pulling issue since there is no some kind of "adjustment thing" on this type of camry. I then asked what is the point of alignment and they said "to reduce tire wear". She also said since Camry has independent front and rear axle they can do only front axle alignment or full. But then when I called dealer they said that they only do full alignment.

They also told me that since I have brand new tires I might have frame damage if I am having pull issue.


Can someone explain how alignment on Gen 5 works and what is true and not. Also, cost of alignment at dealer and that shop is same. Where would you do it?


TIA !

[gdanaher]

The price at the dealer is the same as the shop that tried to sell you snake oil. Let's stop and ponder that one..........times up. Go to the dealer, or at least another repair shop. Pull is a function of caster, camber, and toe, and all are in one way or another adjustable. The Camry needs to have both front and rear checked. It is not like a rear wheel drive, solid axle vehicle. Both rear wheels operate independently. Run far away from your 'alignment shop'. They scare me.

[johnfrisco]

I wouldn't go back to that place that told you it was from frame damage--totally ridiculous!

[Dragon88]

Yeah that sounds ridiculous. I got an alignment when I got new tires at Firestone last week, $69 front/rear and they did a good job. It drives perfectly straight, where as alignment at dealership a year prior still left a veeeery slight pull right.

[Redline_Me]

Compare the specs they gave you on the alignment with stock specs to see if they are the same. Also if it's only a slight pull, you might wanna check your tire pressure to make sure that they are all the same. Check tire pressure first.

[ebumdude]

Just got an alignment from my dealer today actually....$89.99 was my total without tax.

'Alignment shops' are shady.

[Redline_Me]

It's so hard to find a good alignment shop dude.

[ebumdude]

Yup. NTB is right there neck and neck with shady shops. Those clowns don't know anything.

[BlackCamSe]

What they told you is complete bullshit. I'm a votec studend and have done an alignment on my 2010 camry before. They can adjust camber, caster, and toe on the camry. Ur car has tie rods. Inner and outer. And there's an adjusting sleave that connects them. U adjust toe by useing that. Camber is adjusted by 2 bolts on the strut that connect to the steering knuckle

[Big05Taco]

I would definately start with tire pressures first. Half of tires shops just "get it close."
Is it an actual "pull", like if driving on an even road, you let go of the wheel and it goes to the left? Or is it just a crooked steering wheel, like you are going straight, and the steering wheel is turned? Big difference. A pull can be generated by too much caster or camber in one side of the vehicle, but a crooked wheel could be a toe issue in the front OR rear end.

[yakuzao]

i got the same problem

i live in canada vancouver.

the isuue have been long .
my car keep pulling the right side no matter what aliement does.

i've done 3 times aliment is 6 months
not helping....


i am considering change my car