Alignment Problems Needs Feedback - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

telo_tony · 07-23-2010, 03:09 PM

So I took my 2007 Camry SE to Firestone to do an alignment because the my car kept pulling to the left. Firestone did an alignment and then they said that my car was still pulling to the left but not because of that. They stated that my control arm and lower ball joint was bent and that was the reason for the pull. They quoted the repairs $1500 plus labor.

Later that day, I took my car to Toyota and told them what Firestone first. Toyota later came out and told me that there was nothing wrong with my control arm and that they do not know what Firestone was talking about. Toyota did perform the alignment because they did say that it was off by a bit and said that the control arm and ball joint was okay.

I drove off and the car seemed fine and nothing wrong. Here and there I still notice that the car still pulls to the left. I always check my tire pressure and was told by a friend that some Toyota makes there model to pull to the left to keep you up and alert when driving on highway.

Does anyone else has this problem? What should I do? Do you think my control arm is bent? Please help with feedback...

Mike Gerber · 07-23-2010, 03:21 PM

First try switching the 2 front tires with each other. See if the car now drives straight or if it pulls to the opposite (right) side. Sometimes the belts shift one way or the other inside a tire and that tire can cause a pull to one side. It's simply known as a radial pull. If the car goes straight after switching the 2 front tires, you are fine with it that way. If it now pulls right, you will have to replace at least that front tire and possibly both front tires, if the treadware differential between the 2 front tires will be too great. I had to do this front tire witch on my 07 XLE to solve a slight pull. I called Michelin first and they said it's fine to rotate my tires this way; these are not directional tires. My car came with the MXV4 Energy tires.

"was told by a friend that some Toyota makes there model to pull to the left to keep you up and alert when driving on highway."

Ignore this statement. It's totally incorrect.

Mike

telo_tony · 07-23-2010, 03:39 PM

Thank you Mike. I will mos def try this.

I was told to switch my front left with the back right and front right with the back left. Should I dont this or should I just try your way instead?

MJZ · 07-23-2010, 04:23 PM

Pulling to the left seems to be common... probably a design issue more than anything.

If there is more weight on the left and the same power is given to both front wheels for example, the right wheel may be spinning slightly faster than the left, causing the need for correction.

gdanaher · 07-23-2010, 06:55 PM

Switching the rotational direction of a radial tire without research first is just asking for trouble. Many tires are marked and designed to turn only one way. For some it generates new stresses which over time causes the steel belts to wear inside the tire and shorten life. Before you go off and reverse rotation, check the tires with their manufacturer to verify that it can be done without ruining the tires. Beyond that, Telo_Tony, fix the other broken parts that are bent in the front suspension and in the future please avoid double posting your troubles.

MstrToyoTech · 07-23-2010, 08:33 PM

On another note, i dont think you mean your car is "pulling". Pulling is when your steering wheel is centered and the car pulls; more like jerks itself in 1 direction and you have to turn your wheel back off center to go strait. now if your wheel is centered and you drift slightly thats drifting. have you considered the crown of the road(which way the road tilts, sometimes its slighty tilts on driver side----drifts to the left, or passenger side---drifts slightly to the right. Not trying to be rude, but i see this daily and once people know the correct term and find out that drifting is NOT pulling. they chill with the blaming of doing an alignment improperly.

telo_tony · 07-23-2010, 10:10 PM

the only reason why i say this is because when i am on a stright pathway and let go of my wheel, my car doesnt drift to the left, its more like it pulls to the left. i have done many tests for this and no matter what, it still pulls.

tlamot01 · 07-24-2010, 10:15 AM

Lowered my stock 07 XLE Carmy with Tein springs and ordered camber bolts for all corners. Installed and balanced my new Bridestone tires then took my car to Firestone and informed them of the suspension modifications. Turns out, they were the only business I could find that was willing to align a modified suspension.
I bought the lifetime alignment package ($145) because I'm planning on keeping this car for a while. I was also told that this package was one-time transferable for a small fee (selling bullet).
Anyway, after the first five hour alignment job, my car began to behave as you all described. With the steering wheel straight on a very level road (tried on both lanes) the car drifted to the left. At 60MPH, it took two seconds before I was in the next lane. Very unsafe.
Took the car back to Firestone and they double checked the alignment. It seems that after the suspension settled, the adjustments were still off a bit. They re-aligned the car and now the drift is almost non-existent. I do find myself putting slight right to the wheel at higher speeds, but I'm always in the fast lane, which does dip a bit to the left due to road drainage requirements.
My suggestion: Get the lifetime alignment and keep taking it in for adjustment until you're satisfied. Then, take the car in every 10K miles for a check-up.

Glenn8963 · 07-24-2010, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlamot01

Lowered my stock 07 XLE Carmy with Tein springs and ordered camber bolts for all corners. Installed and balanced my new Bridestone tires then took my car to Firestone and informed them of the suspension modifications. Turns out, they were the only business I could find that was willing to align a modified suspension.
I bought the lifetime alignment package ($145) because I'm planning on keeping this car for a while. I was also told that this package was one-time transferable for a small fee (selling bullet).
Anyway, after the first five hour alignment job, my car began to behave as you all described. With the steering wheel straight on a very level road (tried on both lanes) the car drifted to the left. At 60MPH, it took two seconds before I was in the next lane. Very unsafe.
Took the car back to Firestone and they double checked the alignment. It seems that after the suspension settled, the adjustments were still off a bit. They re-aligned the car and now the drift is almost non-existent. I do find myself putting slight right to the wheel at higher speeds, but I'm always in the fast lane, which does dip a bit to the left due to road drainage requirements.
My suggestion: Get the lifetime alignment and keep taking it in for adjustment until you're satisfied. Then, take the car in every 10K miles for a check-up.

not to burst your bubble, (but i will), i worked for firestone. the "lifetime alignment" is a joke. its a sales commission to the counter guy. when you actually go for an alignment check, your car will NOT be brought in quickly, then they only "check" the alignment, not actually DO AN ALIGNMENT.......they tend to push you back of the line for the customers that are paying cash that day...........

i highly advise AGAINST lifetime alignments from any shop that offers it. you will get BETTER service when you pay for an alignment each time you go. and you should have the alignment checked , AND corrected as needed, and that's "usually" once per year.......cheaper in the long run, better service........

believe what you all want to believe...........lifetime warranty on tires purchases for flat repairs, ok........., but NOT alignments.