Car pulls right after new struts/alignment
#1
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Car pulls right after new struts/alignment
I put 4 KYB struts, ended up having to replace 3 sway bar links, got the alignment done and summer tires put on. I went against my will and used Firestone on base because they are the only ones open on Sundays in the sticks of upstate NY. I picked up my vehicle and the service writer said the 1st tech said your car pulled to the right, our "more experience tech" took it for a drive and said it was fine, it was from the roads. So i took it for a spin and it will pull to the right. So i used google and found this is a common problem after strut install. Anyone ever experience this before. Firestone said the alignment is under warranty and they would inspect it further but i want some Ammo on possible problems solutions before they tell me i need a whole new suspension and hope i fall for it. Vehicle is a 04 rx330 152K on the clock
#3
i would suspect poor alignment, or it could very well be tires.
since the alignment is under warranty, have them check that, if its fine and it still pulls.
rotate the tires front to back and see if it still happens, that will rule out tires. Even brand new ones can cause a pull
since the alignment is under warranty, have them check that, if its fine and it still pulls.
rotate the tires front to back and see if it still happens, that will rule out tires. Even brand new ones can cause a pull
#4
Here is some useful information from our friends at Tire Rack:
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=12
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=12
#6
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Lower Control Arms
Mine does the same thing. I noticed during a timing belt replacement that the lower control arm bushings were cracked. I think this could be related...
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...arm-rx330.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...arm-rx330.html
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#8
camber would have to be out an awful lot to cause a pull. So much so that something would have to be bent or broken.
all camber will do is cause poor tire wear.
when you put the new struts on, did you replace the springs with lowering springs? anything more than 1.2 " will "require" the need of a camber adjustment kit.
if you have the stock springs, and everything else is stock, then something is wrong for you to need the camber kit.
perhaps a second opinion at another alignment shop is in order. Some shops use very old equipment because a new alignment machine will run about $100k and they dont have that kinda money. so maybe find a shop that does have a recent machine.
all camber will do is cause poor tire wear.
when you put the new struts on, did you replace the springs with lowering springs? anything more than 1.2 " will "require" the need of a camber adjustment kit.
if you have the stock springs, and everything else is stock, then something is wrong for you to need the camber kit.
perhaps a second opinion at another alignment shop is in order. Some shops use very old equipment because a new alignment machine will run about $100k and they dont have that kinda money. so maybe find a shop that does have a recent machine.
#9
I just replaced all 4 struts with OE KYB's on my '08 RX 350. Made a huge difference at 81,000 miles. Rides like new, not too stiff, nice and smooth.
I also thought my alignment was off as I was experiencing pulling to the right. A Lexus Master Tech told me that RX's tend to wander if the road is crowned. I was driving on a stretch of road that was very old and had bad crowning, the car pulled to the left and right as it followed the grooves in the road. A few miles ahead as the hiway enters a different county the road is new and smooth, it's almost hands free driving, no pulling at all.
I drive that same hiway with my SC with wider wheels and tires and I have to hold the wheel with both hands tightly on the crowned parts. I believe it's called tramlining.
2008 RX 350 Flint Mica/blk 82,000 miles
1998 SC 300 DWP/beige 144,000 miles
I also thought my alignment was off as I was experiencing pulling to the right. A Lexus Master Tech told me that RX's tend to wander if the road is crowned. I was driving on a stretch of road that was very old and had bad crowning, the car pulled to the left and right as it followed the grooves in the road. A few miles ahead as the hiway enters a different county the road is new and smooth, it's almost hands free driving, no pulling at all.
I drive that same hiway with my SC with wider wheels and tires and I have to hold the wheel with both hands tightly on the crowned parts. I believe it's called tramlining.
2008 RX 350 Flint Mica/blk 82,000 miles
1998 SC 300 DWP/beige 144,000 miles
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Well I'm an idiot, as well as the guy who compressed my struts and spring. He didn't line up the strut mount correctly and the top nut his hitting the mount when I steer. I'm hoping the strut can be salvaged but I'm assuming the mount and bearing will need to be fixed. Taking it to the shop tommorow to swap it
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