I picked up a 2017 Premium a couple of weeks ago and I love it. While test driving it I didn't notice but on the way home while driving on the highway I noticed in order to go straight on a flat road I need to point the steering wheel a bit to the left by about 3 or 4 degrees. I notified the dealer about it and they did an alignment for me. I got the car back a couple days ago and although it's a little better, I still have to steer it a bit to the left in order to go straight. I understand some roads are bowed or arched to help with draining water to the side but I have 2 other cars that doesn't experience this and even on perfectly flat highway I still have to steer it to the left when I don't have to with my other cars. Is this something normal with the GX460? I know the steering is a bit sloppy with the GX but it should be like this. Anyone experience the same thing?

 

I have a 2017 that I had bought new. My steering wheel is straight when traveling straight. Steering on center is a little numb but expected for a large SUV with large tires (not a sports car). The only time that I have had to provide steering correction is when there are strong crosswinds since the GX has the aerodynamics of a brick, but I knew that before buying it.

 

No, not normal. They did not do a good job on the alignment and that has been discussed here in the past. If done correctly, the alignment angles should be adjusted to compensate for the road crown.

Do you happen to have the alignment numbers from the print out (if they provided that info)? If so, please post them.

 

No, I don't have the alignment numbers. It was done by the shop I bought the car from and they sent it out to have it done since they don't have the equipment to do it themselves. I think I'm just going to bring it to a shop I trust and have it done there. Thanks.

 

^ any legitimate alignment place will always provide the standard before-and-after numbers.

 

Most techs at dealerships are idiots.. Take it to an Indy wheel/tire shop for a proper alignment. I had the same issue on my '18 that was not corrected by multiple dealerships performing multiple alignments and balancing. Took it to a reputable Indy shop and been almost 2 years since and zero issues.

 

... in general, but specifically to those where salt is used in the winter ... the Lower Control Arm Cams can be a M# to adjust ... they internally rust-weld to where any adjustment is close to impossible. Applying penetrating oil in advance helps ... but even better if anti-sieze is applied on the shaft contact surfaces if and when the cam assemblies are replaced. Alignment technicians dread the Toyota Body-on-Frame vehicles for this reason ... and may sidestep doing a proper alignment as a result. Just saying ...

 

Yikes.

 

Seems all to common these days, unfortunately. I'd take it back and have them correct the issues. One of my pet peeves is to have to fight the wheel to keep it straight.