After alignment, wheel is slightly to the left

Hi all,

2015 Tacoma trd sport 4wd.

so I finally replaced my Michelin defender MS after 100 K. The tire shop noticed after removing them that I was getting a lot of uneven wear front inner sides of the tires (I never rotated them though…)

Anyway, I had new Nokias outpost AT’s installed and went for an alignment per the instructions of my installer.

My mechanic used a laser alignment machine and found that the front tires were out of spec (turned outwards too much) and showed me the computer.

he adjusted the wheels into proper spec and remeasured. He took my truck for a test drive and gave it back to me. Prior to this alignment, my truck would track perfectly straight with my steering wheel Perfectly centered. Now, the truck tracks straight, but I find that my wheel is maybe 1° to the left, it is extremely extremely slight. Would you go back to have this fixed or would you recommend leaving it until I rotate my tires and get another alignment? He’s happy to put it up on the machine again for me. It’s just a pain to have to travel back up to the shop.

Cheers, and thanks.

 

I’d leave well enough alone.
It sounds like you went in with a “perfectly tracking” truck. And came out with “perfectly tracking truck”, but a steering wheel off by 1 degree?

1 degrees isn’t much. And I could live with that.

Sure. The wheel should be straight. And as tech, you should strive for perfection.
But is 1 degree worth your time?

 

Hey, thanks for the reply. Yes, the truck tracks perfectly but the wheel is slightly off. Since my truck was tracking perfectly before, was there any need for me to do this alignment? How could the truck track perfectly when the alignment machine showed that the front was out of spec? Also, my front tires were wearing heavily on the insides - but the truck tracked perfectly….didn’t know that was possible. Tire shop told me to get an alignment because of the uneven wear…

Thanks

 

I’m not an alignment specialist.
But I believe camber and caster can be off and still track fairly straight.

That’s why a lot of shops get lazy and do a “tow and go”.

But like I said, I’m not an alignment specialist. I bought the lifetime alignment. I get it done every 5-7k.

 

Yes, the truck can track straight and still need an alignment. The fact that you had uneven wear means the alignment was *mostly* justified. You really had 2 options, and hopefully they were explained before you paid for the service. Option 1, you could continue to drive with the alignment as it was. It's safe and controllable, but you'll be replacing tires faster than needed for the life of the truck. Option 2, pay for the alignment. It costs money, but your tires should last longer.

If the wheel bothers you, go back and ask them to try again. I took my last car back 3 times before I was happy with the wheel alignment.

 

Thanks for the helpful reply! Makes sense. I’ll go back for another alignment when I rotate these tires in a few months and ask him to make sure to produce a perfectly straight steering wheel.

 

Tech error happens with the machines.

I usually have to repeat every 20-30th alignment due to slightly off steering wheels. Heads can shift, things happen.
I have a perfect flat route so I catch them.
Some guys it’s every 3rd lol

 

I wouldn't wait. It gives them the chance to say you hit something and knocked the truck out of alignment. They might try to charge you for it again if you wait. Give em a call and tell them the wheel isn't straight and you like them to try again.

 

Toe does not control steering, your vehicle actually uses a combination of mostly camber and some toe to steer. So if your toe is out in the front the vehicle will actually equalize itself and track straight with a slightly offset steering wheel. Toe and camber will both cause uneven wear. It sounds like the tech who did your alignment adjusted everything correctly but accidentally cocked the steering wheel over slightly when setting it up. Go ahead and make an appointment and take it back, they should have no problem fixing it.

 

1* really, you should be banned from ever posting again !!!

 

ok maybe 2.5 degrees! It was perfect before the alignment!

 

Take it back. The job isn’t done right.