Northern Virginia Roll Call

Was your alignment bad before you got new tires? And the tire shop noticed and offered to allign. They could not allign within specs so told you to take it to dealership?

Is this accurate?

 

Alignment was OK before, I asked for them to do the alignment. It wasn’t done right the first time, they did it again to fix, and then checked it again to double check basically. Steering sits inches to the right, before it was inches to the left. When I drive, it sways JUST a tad, but I guess that could because I went with 265/7516 and it’s bigger than stock?

 

Man I love my Taco but I have this exact same internal battle about every 3 months. It's a great truck for what it is, but especially having the 4cyl, there are just some things it can't do (6cyl couldn't haul some of the things I would want to either). Now that my commute is .75 miles, I fear the end is ever drawing nigh.

 

Going up to 265/75 in negligible and should have no affect. There should not be any swaying.

When was your last alignment? Did it read within specs?

The tire shop could have damaged something that now disallows alignment within spec.

There is not much you can do besides have the dealership (or a good independent shop) take a look at it. See what they discover. Make sure you are refunded for your alignment from tire shop.

 

So whatever the dealerships find after the alignment, I should take to merchants and have them refund/fix Then? Tbh, first car I’ve owned with a warranty

 

Alignments aren’t covered under warranty. Your traction control light staying on should be covered though; I have never heard of an alignment messing with TC unless they fucked something else up while doing it.

I had issues with my alignment when I lifted and put my 255s on. I gave the shop 2 chances to fix it, which they couldn’t, then took it to Battlefield Toyota in Culpeper. They got it right on the first try, and I believe they only charge $80-85 for alignments.

Good luck!

 

Thanks, what issues did you have? Just pulling?

 

No pulling, they just couldn’t get the steering wheel right. I have OCD about that kind of stuff, but it wasn’t even close.

 

You and me both, annoyed me before, annoyed me more after the fact I got an alignment and it was still off. Will wait to see what they find out.

Oh, and they said no TSB for you. Basically said I would need corporate to send them a fax before they would do it. Guess I’ll find another dealership that is more forthcoming and helpful.

 

Oh, I am very aware.

@Large BajaBlast you and this guy^^^ will get along swimmingly, then.

 

Did they balance the tires properly with weights on the inside lip? What was the readout for the alignment? If the problem didn't exist before the tires and alignment was done then it shouldn't exist after? if it does its on merchant to fix it isn't suspension or dealers issue? Regardless of refund they should fix the problem.

 

Bird lawyers unite!

 

Just got the truck back from the dealer. Apparently Merchants fucked the alignment so bad, they had to do a zero alignment reset. The toe basically had the tires going out in different directions, and to fix it they had to realign a couple of parts. $125 fix, guess I’ll be getting Merchants to refund me that cost.

On the plus side, they gave me an Adventure AWD RAV4 to drive while they fixed it. Nice SUVs, plenty of leg room and I’m a big boy.

 

Same, to be honest I always wanted a diesel but ended up with the Tacoma and it's a great truck and been through a lot with me.... But every time I'm around a diesel full size, I go back to wanting one haha. It's like a never ending cycle of I'm keeping the Tacoma forever and I'm selling it for a Dmax.

 

or you could just get both

 

Ha ha very funny, I'm flattered you think I can afford that.

 

Its hard to say what people can afford these days. Also there are plenty of overlanders and mall crawlers in Massive debt for that gram


Life choices.

 

I'm kidding, hah. The Tacoma is paid for. I could have financed a new Duramax for 144 months with crazy interest rates though!

 

The f250 I wanted would have been bare bones with a 6.7 turbo.

They wanted 55k. I'd rather have a 55k tacoma lol

 

AMAZING! haha. Charlie Kelly is my hero! King of the Rats and Expert in Bird Law.

PS you DO NOT want a sea bird as a pet, the sound alone could blow out your ear drums!