Alignment Nightmare

Brand new tires with less than 100 miles on them, as far as thrust angle I can't figure how it'd be off as nothing's ever been messed with, never went wheeling, hit anything etc. Pretty much went down hill after getting new tires and having Toyota "align" it.

 

LCAs replaced with oem two days ago, cam bolts seized on both sides previously hence Lca replacement. Wheni had the stick Dunlops this thing drove like a dream.

 

So ideally where does the thrust angle need to be?

 

IIRC, mine was set at 0.12. I can't think of anything else that might help you out. I still am leaning towards those LCA install. I dont have the link to the install data with me but if my memory serves me correct, the cam bolts are to be torqued to 100 ft lbs. Please verify before going with this number.

-J

 

A rear toe of -.78* and -.18?? Wow. That is super unacceptable! That give you a thrust angle of -.30, of course it is going to heavily pull! The front looks okay, however. Your alignment needs correction in the rear first. If that's done and you are still pulling it is tire radial pull.

 

Well that was the original "alignment" this is where it currently stands.

 

OP, I feel you pain. Almost nothing drives me battier than a vehicle that pulls....well except one that has chronic wheel imbalance...

Let's recap this and try to address the easy stuff first. I gather your truck drove fine until the new tires and attempt by the dealer to align, correct? And by pulling you mean that if you let go of the steering wheel the truck wants to dart to the right unless you counter-correct the wheel, correct? I ask because you would be surprised at the number of people who claim their car pulls when it is really the steering wheel that is off center.

As far as the rear thrust angle they probably would not have done anything to shift the axle during the dealer alignment to affect it, and the front toe was corrected to compensate for the thrust so the steering wheel would be centered (that is the "Steer Ahead" value shown for the front wheels on the alignment sheet and it is ok). Besides, the rear values look good so forget about the thrust angle for the time being.

In the first few responses there were a couple of recommendations to swap tires. Was that done? I can tell you that one of the worst experiences I have ever had with radial tire pulling was with new Michelins. Do not assume that because they are expensive Michelins they are therefore free from that problem.

As far as the alignment sheet, the before values shown on the alignment sheet suggest the truck could/should have been pulling to the right just a bit. But you did not mention anything in particular.

If this were my truck here is what I would do and in this order:
1. Since you problem showed after the new tires and alignment, I am inclined to believe it is primarily the tires and specifically radial tire pull. So do some swapping around. If it improves, a discussion with the tire dealer is in order.
2. Alignment machines are only as good as their last calibration and the tech doing the work. I would not spend any more time with alignments at this point until the tire issue is resolved. If the tires shown to be ok post back and we can then further discuss the matter.

 

I'm swapping the tires when I get off today, prior to new tires/alignment never had a "pull" but they stated that alignment had been way off. So currently if I center the steering wheel it will stay centered but the truck will let's say drift to the right but steering wheel stays centered but I constantly have to counter steer to prevent it . I've drove on tons of different street all with same result.

 

So going to pick up today from the shop they road force balanced and matched. They said there was 87 pounds of force to the right and the beads were also not properly set. Going to pick it up but they're saying the pull is single digits now 5-6lbs.

 

Update: minimal change shop states it's just the road crown, offered for me to pay to realign in which they and adjust camber to have some left side pull to counter. Not sure what's going on still had previously never had this issue.

 

find a flat patch of highway, get it up to 65mph, let go of the steering and see if its pulling right consistently on a flat road

 

Compare how it drives on each side of the road. It should pull equally on each side. If it pulls to the right in the right lane and has no pull in the left lane, somethings wrong.

 

Did they rotate them front to rear? If not, get those front tires in the back and see if something changes

Also something to consider, those stock Dunlops are crappy minivan tires. The new Michelins are more responsive and grippy so you're just feeling the road more including the crown and grooves

 

Yes they actually split the two front tires both had a right side pull so they have one on left front then one in back. Never considered tire responsiveness. If I go ahead with an alignment calibration on the left side camber to counter a bit is that going to have negative effect on tread wear?