Alignment or Road Slope

Took my 2014 Tacoma Sport in today b/c it is pulling a little to the right. Service guy says its the roads sloping for rain run off. Been driving for many years with many different kinds of cars and never noticed this issue before. It takes about 1000 yards and drifts to the right consistently. My warranty is up in a few months and alignment wont be covered then. Anyone else been through this? Thanks guys.

 

I'm no mechanic, but 1000 yards seems like a reasonable distance to travel straight before veering off. I think you're fine, just my $0.02 though...

 

Tell them to put it up on the machine and show you what the current specs are. Then go from there

 

This.

My truck has specs that are literally exactly even on both sides.

Yes on roads with a big crown you have to hold the wheel. But on flat roads. I have literally gone miles without touching the steering wheel.

btw @Unchained 5150 Truck is looking GOOD!

 

Thanks brother. Debating on 33's now

 

Typically, alignment will be adjusted to cause the vehicle to pull slightly to the left in order to counter the slope of road pulling you down to the right.

 

Don't listen to this crap. I've also heard idiot mechanics claim that they put a pull to the right in there so that you don't drift into oncoming traffic if you fall asleep. How in the world would some alignment shop know exactly what crown in the road is there at all times, besides many roads have wheel tracks carved in them from use and if you ride on one side or the other you can get the vehicle to pull into the high side of the track, opposite to what the road crown is. I say bullshit, vehicle should be aligned to be even without any pull or drift with equal alignment numbers and you hold the wheel to fight excessive road crown.

Btw a drift and a pull are two different things. A pull is where when the wheel is straight the vehicle goes straight but if you let go the wheel turns and the vehicle follows. A drift is where when the wheel is straight but vehicle turns one way or the other and if you let go of the wheel the wheel doesn't turn.

I'd like to see a manufacturer's spec's that specify a difference in camber/caster from left to right to fight road crown. Maybe a unicorn as well.