Truck is pulling to the left, ideas?

jeepinoutwest · 10-27-2008, 08:46 AM

Ok I have an '08 2WD reg cab with 30" tires on the stock steel wheel. I am having a problem getting it aligned. Its been on the alignment machine 4 times at my tire dealer and it is still pulling to the left. Has anyone else run into this problem? Any corrective solutions? My tire guy is trying to figure this out as well and is calling Toyota and the maker of the alignment machine.

luk8272 · 10-27-2008, 08:49 AM

I take it your truck is stock? No lift, rims or tires?

-TRDMAN- · 10-27-2008, 09:16 AM

Is the truck used?... I had a similar problem in the past... tires guys could not figure it out.... outcome was a bent frame pulled like a S.O.B. to the right!

jhodge83 · 10-27-2008, 09:16 AM

his thing says he's running cooper st's...so aftermarket tires...so 30" on a 5 lugger w/ stockers

jeepinoutwest · 10-27-2008, 09:31 AM

I did buy it used with 8300 miles, but it looked really good underneath. I will take a look at the frame for deformities and or pulls. I am running 30" tires however the 4x4 tacos come with 31s, so i dont think that should cause it to pull.

-TRDMAN- · 10-27-2008, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeepinoutwest

I did buy it used with 8300 miles, but it looked really good underneath. I will take a look at the frame for deformities and or pulls. I am running 30" tires however the 4x4 tacos come with 31s, so i dont think that should cause it to pull.

If tires are properly installed and balanced they should not cause pulling.... frames are very hard to tell if they are bent tips are look at the truck from all angles... does it lean one way more than the other?.... also tires will not wear in uniform with each other along with cupping tread!!! good luck! and I hope it's not your frame but just a minor problem!!!!

HerNameIsLucy · 10-27-2008, 11:08 AM

My 03 Corolla pulled HARD to the right. It was the Cooper tires on it. Goodyear dealer that replaced them with TripleTreds said not uncommon for Coopers. YMMV.

You might be able to find out for sure if it's the tires or not by swapping the front right/left. If the pull changes to the other direction, bingo.

jeepinoutwest · 10-27-2008, 11:23 AM

Well my frame looks perfect and we did try swapping the two new front tires and the pull is still there and still to the left. The tires are only days old and have only had this issue since the new tires, but they should still be able to make the truck drive straight. I purchased 4 sets of STTs previously without issue. Thanks for the input.

-TRDMAN- · 10-27-2008, 01:32 PM

Good luck hope you figure it out!!

Oxymar00n · 10-27-2008, 01:39 PM

Maybe borrow a set of stock wheels and tires to align it with?

Anybody local to him with a 5 lugger?

pittim · 10-27-2008, 03:08 PM

Mine pulls to the right a little bit. I have a feeling that it's because my RR tire has a bit less tread than the other 3...

HerNameIsLucy · 10-27-2008, 03:25 PM

More I think about it, swapping the fronts left / right might not tell you as much as it seems it would. If you had one tire dragging the front end to one direction, swapped it to the other side, it may now be pushing the front end towards the same direction.

Maybe a front to rear swap might tell more. Best bet would be go with what Oxy said and borrow a couple wheels.

Also thinking maybe whomever mounted the wheels / tires screwed up the brakes accidentally on one side?

Bringing it to a different tire place, maybe they can diag it for you, if it is tire related you can go back to the original place with some ammo.

jeepinoutwest · 10-28-2008, 11:48 AM

Well after 5 hours and mounting the tires in every spot plus putting it on the alignment machine 4 times we tried mounting new tires. Sure enough it steered perfectly when i put two factory size tires on the front. So the question is: what was the problem? the tires size (30x9.5 from 215/70/15s), the manufacturer (Cooper), or the Tread design (Cooper STT Deep Lug Mud tires)? My tire guy is great he is bring me in a set of 30" Michelin ltx m+s, and a set of 235/75/15 Michelin A/T2s. We'll see on friday which ones work. Sad to see the Cooper's didnt work, ive had 4 sets previously and love them.

HerNameIsLucy · 10-28-2008, 11:57 AM

Sadly, Coopers are crap. There's a thread here somewhere where a bunch of news stories and NTSB recall stuff is posted about them. Even their employees are worried about the total lack of concern management at Cooper is showing regarding safety and quality.

When I first got them and put on my Corolla I loved them. That changed in less than 3 years though. Vibration, pulling, uneven tread wear, jerking under heavy braking.

TightShirts · 10-28-2008, 12:01 PM

i had the same problem with BF Goodrich tires on my Chrysler... i guess it's just the tread/tire design with the type of vehicle that starts a weird tread wear and it just goes down hill from there. what i did to fix my problem until i could buy new tires was to put them on backwards (cross rotate) i was told the only thing it would effect is my handing in the rain (don't have to worry about that much in az) so it worked, but previously i had never heard of anything like that before...

jeepinoutwest · 10-31-2008, 07:16 AM

Well, putting 30x9.5 Michelin M+Ss on solved my problem. It steers straight. I guess it was either the Cooper name or the deep lug design of the STTs.

roquelopez · 11-10-2008, 05:23 PM

Mine pulls very badly at 60-80 mph, has been aligned several times, tires replaced and is still there, the dealer didn't beleive nor the "factory" people, until i took them for a ride in the truck at 60 mph the would probably go out of the road in 2 or 3 seconds. Scary!!! The truck has been for three weeks with the dealer and son far they have not been able to solve the problem. I think is an structural issue the chassis was poorly desinged. I have seen many tacoma owners having problems with uneven wear of the front tires. I doubt You will be able to fix the problem with your truck. It's the same kind of trouble they have with the ticking noise on the left side of the engine, they will not accept there is a problem there or with the alignment. They most likely fix the problem until 2010 0 2011 model that way they dont have to fix the 2005 to 2009 models. It has been the greatest dissapontment from a vehicle that I thought was going to be the best I ever had. Good luck.

10-27-2008, 08:46 AM	#1
jeepinoutwest Junior Member Joined: Oct 2008, #10029 Location: FL Posts: 25 08 Reg Cab 2WD 2008 Regular Cab Automatic Cooper STTs	Truck is pulling to the left, ideas? Ok I have an '08 2WD reg cab with 30" tires on the stock steel wheel. I am having a problem getting it aligned. Its been on the alignment machine 4 times at my tire dealer and it is still pulling to the left. Has anyone else run into this problem? Any corrective solutions? My tire guy is trying to figure this out as well and is calling Toyota and the maker of the alignment machine.

10-27-2008, 08:49 AM	#2
luk8272 Southern Louisiana Joined: Feb 2008, #4929 Location: Kaplan, Louisiana Age: 26 Gender: Guy Posts: 1,939 07 Silver4dr. 4x4, V6 Shortbed 2007 Double Cab Automatic 4.0 5% Tint, Bug flector, vent Visors, Removed secondary air filter, Rear Spring TSB w/ Bilstein shocks, Toytec 3" lift, Debadged, Billet Grille, 17x9 Pro comp 6001 rims, BFG 285/70/17, Fog light anytime mod, Tailgate hose clamp mod, Prodry AFE filter. Extended Differential Breather, ABS on/off, 6000k HID heads/fogs, ScanguageII Wanting Sliders and Exhaust!	I take it your truck is stock? No lift, rims or tires? __________________

10-27-2008, 09:16 AM	#3
-TRDMAN- 3D-Indoor Archery Addict Joined: Dec 2006, #514 Location: CLARION/WILLIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA Gender: Male Posts: 1,225 08 WHITE ACCES CAB 2008 Access Cab Manual 4CYL A tool box, cb, huskies, and tow hitch! yep thats it!	Is the truck used?... I had a similar problem in the past... tires guys could not figure it out.... outcome was a bent frame pulled like a S.O.B. to the right! __________________ Live in PA? like Archery? check out: http://www.route157archeryworld.com/index.php Sig by robrjohnson

10-27-2008, 09:16 AM	#4
jhodge83 CA: Waiting for the next meet! Joined: Apr 2007, #1432 Location: Fayetteville, NC/Sumter, SC Age: 25 Gender: Guy Posts: 4,980 09 Timberland Mica DC 4X4 Sport 2009 Double Cab Automatic 4.0L seatbelt chime mod, fog lights on anytime mod, hose clamp mod, louder horns mod, and a few others in the sig!	his thing says he's running cooper st's...so aftermarket tires...so 30" on a 5 lugger w/ stockers __________________ 2009 Timberland Mica DC SB TRD Sport 4x4 Tow w/ Hook Hitch, All Weather Mats, In-Channel Rain Guards, Bed Mat, AFE Pro Dry Drop-in w/ Secondary Removed and Modified Intake, Magnaflow SS Muffler w/ Chopped Exhaust, Flat Black Vinyl Emblems, Black Low Profile/Low Width Tool Box, Hi Lift, Xenon "HID" Head&Fog Bulbs, Black/Grey Iggee Seat Covers, Painted Engine Cover, Painted Grill Emblem, Tinted Tails and 3rd Brake, Cargo Bar, Cobra 29 LTD Black Chrome CB w/ K40 Antenna, Astatic Mic, and 5" PA Speaker, Painted Rims w/ Black Lugs, 5x LT255/75/17 BFG MT's, AllproOffroad Sliders and Skid Plate, 3" EZ Lift w/ AAL and Diff Drop, Pioneer AVIC-N1 DVD/NAV on the way....hopefully BB gas skid and (3" rear kit, front bumper, and remaining skids from Allpro) Waiting to be installed....Allpro UCA's , WE 3.5" CO's, and 35% tint

10-27-2008, 11:08 AM	#7
HerNameIsLucy If God wanted Hondas to fart... Joined: Jul 2008, #8256 Location: Slowcala, Floriduh Age: 49 Gender: Male Posts: 1,597 02 Prerunner V6 SR5 extended cab 2002 Xtra Cab Automatic 3.4 lotsa little stuff	My 03 Corolla pulled HARD to the right. It was the Cooper tires on it. Goodyear dealer that replaced them with TripleTreds said not uncommon for Coopers. YMMV. You might be able to find out for sure if it's the tires or not by swapping the front right/left. If the pull changes to the other direction, bingo. __________________ 2009. Ok, now what?

10-27-2008, 09:31 AM	#5
jeepinoutwest Junior Member Joined: Oct 2008, #10029 Location: FL Posts: 25 08 Reg Cab 2WD 2008 Regular Cab Automatic Cooper STTs	I did buy it used with 8300 miles, but it looked really good underneath. I will take a look at the frame for deformities and or pulls. I am running 30" tires however the 4x4 tacos come with 31s, so i dont think that should cause it to pull.

10-27-2008, 11:23 AM	#8
jeepinoutwest Junior Member Joined: Oct 2008, #10029 Location: FL Posts: 25 08 Reg Cab 2WD 2008 Regular Cab Automatic Cooper STTs	Well my frame looks perfect and we did try swapping the two new front tires and the pull is still there and still to the left. The tires are only days old and have only had this issue since the new tires, but they should still be able to make the truck drive straight. I purchased 4 sets of STTs previously without issue. Thanks for the input.

10-27-2008, 01:32 PM	#9
-TRDMAN- 3D-Indoor Archery Addict Joined: Dec 2006, #514 Location: CLARION/WILLIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA Gender: Male Posts: 1,225 08 WHITE ACCES CAB 2008 Access Cab Manual 4CYL A tool box, cb, huskies, and tow hitch! yep thats it!	Good luck hope you figure it out!! __________________ Live in PA? like Archery? check out: http://www.route157archeryworld.com/index.php Sig by robrjohnson

10-27-2008, 01:39 PM	#10
Oxymar00n I killed a guy with a trident. Joined: Jul 2008, #7806 Location: Wallingford, PA Gender: Dude Posts: 1,476 05 DCab 4x4 3" Toytec 285's Satoshi 2005 Double Cab Manual 4.0 3" Toytec Cooper 285's on Ions Hand built Satoshi grille K&N CAI Eclipse/JL	Maybe borrow a set of stock wheels and tires to align it with? Anybody local to him with a 5 lugger? __________________ Truck Pics TogetherWeServed Profile LinkedIn Profile

10-27-2008, 03:08 PM	#11
pittim College. Joined: May 2008, #6939 Location: Pittsburgh/Erie Age: 19 Gender: Guy Posts: 698 03 TRD XCab Manual V6 2003 Access Cab Manual 3.4 V6 Uniden PRO520XL CB, Grey wire	Mine pulls to the right a little bit. I have a feeling that it's because my RR tire has a bit less tread than the other 3... __________________

10-27-2008, 03:25 PM	#12
HerNameIsLucy If God wanted Hondas to fart... Joined: Jul 2008, #8256 Location: Slowcala, Floriduh Age: 49 Gender: Male Posts: 1,597 02 Prerunner V6 SR5 extended cab 2002 Xtra Cab Automatic 3.4 lotsa little stuff	More I think about it, swapping the fronts left / right might not tell you as much as it seems it would. If you had one tire dragging the front end to one direction, swapped it to the other side, it may now be pushing the front end towards the same direction. Maybe a front to rear swap might tell more. Best bet would be go with what Oxy said and borrow a couple wheels. Also thinking maybe whomever mounted the wheels / tires screwed up the brakes accidentally on one side? Bringing it to a different tire place, maybe they can diag it for you, if it is tire related you can go back to the original place with some ammo. __________________ 2009. Ok, now what?

10-28-2008, 11:48 AM	#13
jeepinoutwest Junior Member Joined: Oct 2008, #10029 Location: FL Posts: 25 08 Reg Cab 2WD 2008 Regular Cab Automatic Cooper STTs	Update Well after 5 hours and mounting the tires in every spot plus putting it on the alignment machine 4 times we tried mounting new tires. Sure enough it steered perfectly when i put two factory size tires on the front. So the question is: what was the problem? the tires size (30x9.5 from 215/70/15s), the manufacturer (Cooper), or the Tread design (Cooper STT Deep Lug Mud tires)? My tire guy is great he is bring me in a set of 30" Michelin ltx m+s, and a set of 235/75/15 Michelin A/T2s. We'll see on friday which ones work. Sad to see the Cooper's didnt work, ive had 4 sets previously and love them.

10-28-2008, 11:57 AM	#14
HerNameIsLucy If God wanted Hondas to fart... Joined: Jul 2008, #8256 Location: Slowcala, Floriduh Age: 49 Gender: Male Posts: 1,597 02 Prerunner V6 SR5 extended cab 2002 Xtra Cab Automatic 3.4 lotsa little stuff	Sadly, Coopers are crap. There's a thread here somewhere where a bunch of news stories and NTSB recall stuff is posted about them. Even their employees are worried about the total lack of concern management at Cooper is showing regarding safety and quality. When I first got them and put on my Corolla I loved them. That changed in less than 3 years though. Vibration, pulling, uneven tread wear, jerking under heavy braking. __________________ 2009. Ok, now what?

10-28-2008, 12:01 PM	#15
TightShirts Senior Member Joined: Sep 2008, #9447 Location: AZ... The land of lifted trucks & dirty sluts Gender: Male Posts: 154 08 Prerunner SR5 Rugged Trail Ed 2008 Access Cab Automatic 4.0L V6 Tint, Clear Bra, White Grill w/Black Billet, Debadged	i had the same problem with BF Goodrich tires on my Chrysler... i guess it's just the tread/tire design with the type of vehicle that starts a weird tread wear and it just goes down hill from there. what i did to fix my problem until i could buy new tires was to put them on backwards (cross rotate) i was told the only thing it would effect is my handing in the rain (don't have to worry about that much in az) so it worked, but previously i had never heard of anything like that before... __________________

10-31-2008, 07:16 AM	#16
jeepinoutwest Junior Member Joined: Oct 2008, #10029 Location: FL Posts: 25 08 Reg Cab 2WD 2008 Regular Cab Automatic Cooper STTs	Well, putting 30x9.5 Michelin M+Ss on solved my problem. It steers straight. I guess it was either the Cooper name or the deep lug design of the STTs.

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11-10-2008, 05:23 PM	#17
roquelopez Junior Member Joined: Mar 2008, #5491 Location: Tijuana, Mexidco Posts: 4 07 Prerunner TRD SPORT 2007 Double Cab Automatic	Alignment Issue Mine pulls very badly at 60-80 mph, has been aligned several times, tires replaced and is still there, the dealer didn't beleive nor the "factory" people, until i took them for a ride in the truck at 60 mph the would probably go out of the road in 2 or 3 seconds. Scary!!! The truck has been for three weeks with the dealer and son far they have not been able to solve the problem. I think is an structural issue the chassis was poorly desinged. I have seen many tacoma owners having problems with uneven wear of the front tires. I doubt You will be able to fix the problem with your truck. It's the same kind of trouble they have with the ticking noise on the left side of the engine, they will not accept there is a problem there or with the alignment. They most likely fix the problem until 2010 0 2011 model that way they dont have to fix the 2005 to 2009 models. It has been the greatest dissapontment from a vehicle that I thought was going to be the best I ever had. Good luck.