Alignment Issues After Drop
06-03-14, 03:55 PM
#1
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Thread Starter
Alignment Issues After Drop
After my car got dropped with Tanbae NF210 the shop that installed the springs aligned my car. I noticed a slight pull to the right and the steering wheel was sightly off center. They re aligned it after two weeks and the pull wasn't as bad, but was still there. After driving for a few more weeks on the springs i took it back today and they aligned the car again. They said the issue with the car pulling is probably due the the difference in the caster on the front of the car. They said it cant be adjusted. Did anyone else have this issue? If so, how did you fix it? My alignment specs are attached. Thank you in advance.
06-03-14, 08:04 PM
#5
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Thread Starter
That's kind of what I was thinking but I just wanted to make sure. I know some people have has issues with camber if the strut mount is not re-installed with the correct orientation. Is it possible for the camber to be right but the caster be off if it's not put back in right?
06-03-14, 09:25 PM
#6
I've had the Tanabe NF210s installed on my '13 F-Sport for about 8 months now, I had the car aligned as soon as the springs were put on. The shop told me to drive and let the springs settle for about a month and then come in a re-align. Did what they said, haven't had any problems since. Maybe just give it some time to settle in and then have them re-align it, hopefully this solves your issue.
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06-04-14, 05:59 AM
#10
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Thread Starter
I did a quick search last night and found this:
http://www.justanswer.com/lexus/7xg2...xus-gs350.html
They mention a TSB that addresses this issue, does anyone have it?
http://www.justanswer.com/lexus/7xg2...xus-gs350.html
They mention a TSB that addresses this issue, does anyone have it?
06-04-14, 08:02 AM
#12
That caster difference can easily cause a right pull. Those brackets will only reduce the spread by .4 degree max, not near enough. Assuming the car has no collision history, It's a near certainty that the right lower control arm is bent. Looking at the alignment figures, there is a telling number at the bottom, the wheelbase difference. It's showing this car to have a .4" shorter wheelbase on the right side. A rearward,( caster reducing) bend in that right control arm would show up as a wheelbase difference like this, also. Replace that control arm, re-measure the caster then trim if needed with those brackets.
06-04-14, 08:41 AM
#13
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The car only had 8,500 miles on it when i bought it and it had a clean car fax. Bent control arm...? I've only had it two months and have barely driven it because I've been traveling for work. I looked on Sewell and a new Lower RH control arm is $370 with CL discount. This is going to be a fun conversation with the dealer, especially since the car is lowered...... 
That caster difference can easily cause a right pull. Those brackets will only reduce the spread by .4 degree max, not near enough. Assuming the car has no collision history, It's a near certainty that the right lower control arm is bent. Looking at the alignment figures, there is a telling number at the bottom, the wheelbase difference. It's showing this car to have a .4" shorter wheelbase on the right side. A rearward,( caster reducing) bend in that right control arm would show up as a wheelbase difference like this, also. Replace that control arm, re-measure the caster then trim if needed with those brackets.
06-04-14, 09:20 AM
#14
A large pothole or a minor curb strike will easily cause this. Those control arms will almost always bend well before any frame damage happens. This kind of problem is pretty common across all brands of car. Depending on how long you have owned the car and the type of warranty this may be a customer pay deal. All I can tell you is that control arm has to be replaced as the first step in fixing this pull. There is a smaller chance that this is from previous collision damage. You'll know that is the case if that right caster does not change much with a new arm.
Last edited by robert1408; 06-04-14 at 09:21 AM. Reason: spelling
06-06-14, 01:28 PM
#15
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I took the car to the dealership yesterday and they checked it out and only suggested getting the new lower control arm mounts that adjust the caster. I bought the car 2 months ago so they were able to recall that the car passed the alignment check during inspection, so its got to be something related to the spring install. Do the strut mounts have orientation? Can they only go back in one way? if not, How can you tell which way they are supposed to go back in?
