Hey all,

I've had 2 alignments done on my 06 GX470 in the last couple months. First was necessary after a control arm replacement. 2nd was done after it was brought in for brakes and they said it was pulling hard to the right. I noticed it too and it happened after I went over a decently high (6 inches or so) curb pulling into a tight parking spot.

Didn't think anything of it but the other day I grazed the curb pulling into a parking spot on the street and it feels like its been thrown out of alignment again! Not a lot of impact, going very slow, just cut it too close to the curb. Car is pulling slightly to the right now and I can feel some vibration (very faint but still) through the steering wheel. Tire/wheel on that side also sounds louder but maybe thats just in my head (my rear shocks are rusted through being replaced this week, the ride in general is very rough/bouncy, but seems to have gotten even slightly worse since this happened).

A friend whose worked on cars his whole life said either the shop didn't tighten the alignment down enough to try and get me to come back and make some easy cash off me.... OR my ball joints are worn and the car wont hold an alignment.....

Just curious if anyone has any thoughts on this.

Ran over a curb, or grazed it hard (usually with rim scrape)?

None of that should goof up the alignment that much.

Did they loosen tie-rod ends on the rack-pinion arms?

Bad ball joints in the 'A' arms should be obvious, I just not sure that would make a tire pull/track hard to one side.

just grazed/might have gone up on it a bit but no hit to the wheel, not even a big tire scuff. I have no idea if they loosened the tie rod ends. Would that be typical with an axle replacement?

CV axle? The lower knuckle bolts have to be removed to do front CV axles. The tie rod end is knocked out to allow for swing of the knuckle, but the tie rod end lock nut (rack pinion arm) is never touched. Look at the nut closely, if they mucked with it you'll see some decent wrench marks on the nut and adjuster section.

Thanks! I'll take a look at that this weekend. I had the rear shocks installed yesterday and drives a ton better but still bumpy/vibration through the front seats. I had them look at the front end and they told me that the front lower control arm bushings are loose and theres a good amount of play. Claim that both control arms are moving forward every time you brake causing a thumping/bumping...... i haven't noticed that but have had an intermittent issue of pulsing through the brake pad.... could that be related?/could the tech be confusing that with both control arms moving?

All I know for sure at this point is that theres definitely play in my front end and its likely something on the passenger side since drivers side control arm has brand new bushings and ball joint..... Anyways thanks for the advice and I'll start with the tie rod lock nut and go from there.

Ok, so if the arms are not rusting through and are ok, have new Prothane bushings (or the like) installed (all 8 pieces). It's a pita to do, but that sounds like your issue that needs fixing. Whoever does the work, always mention "make sure you grease them inside and out before installing them". Many years ago I did a set of urethane bushings (not on a GX) and failed to grease them correctly, they worked just fine, just make squeaking noises.