#Alignment questions & concerns
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 40
Likes: 11
From: TX
I test drove 4 GX last month when I was in the market. All of them, every single one, pulled one side or the other. I asked the dealers and they said its the road. One said they will take care of it if I buy the vehicle. At some point, I thought its me since I never drove a body on frame before. Finally I found one that tracked dead straight. I bought it (not just based on that but overall).
Never thought it is that widespread of an issue until I stumbled up on this thread.
Never thought it is that widespread of an issue until I stumbled up on this thread.
Driver
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 86
Likes: 20
From: Texas
Before purchasing the GX, I ensured that the steering was centered and there was no left/right pull. After 5k miles the steering is biased to the left but still goes in a straight line.
I had a similar issue with my 4runner where steering was not centered and it would drift on the highway. After multiple attempts to get the alignment fixed I had enough and sold it.
Hopefully I get the alignment sorted in the upcoming service, have OCD with the alignment and steering.
I had a similar issue with my 4runner where steering was not centered and it would drift on the highway. After multiple attempts to get the alignment fixed I had enough and sold it.
Hopefully I get the alignment sorted in the upcoming service, have OCD with the alignment and steering.
We had the same problem with our GX. The alignment was correct and we even put new tires on it. NTB finally fixed it by adjusting the passenger front side's castor. The technician said that there is not an official adjustment, but he tweaked it and altered the angle slightly. It is virtually perfect now.
CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,417
Likes: 198
From: US
I had my eyes on this model for awhile before I got it. I did read about this now and then. Both the demo I last had and mine did not have it. So I took the vehicle. Now I’m experiencing. The local shop did the test and shows miss alignment for the Toe and Steer Ahead. They recommended alignment done. I had the tires cross rotated and took it to lexus to see what they find. They confirmed and told me it’s normal wear and tear that I would have to pay for it. Mine is under 30k by the way. The rotation seems to help but heard it will come back from reading here. I think Lexus should come up with a fix for this. This seems like a design issue. We’ve had a hand full of lexuses but never had this problem.
Pit Crew
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 133
Likes: 48
From: AB
The caster looks alright.
My 80 Land Cruiser had similar issue since I bought it, it would wander around the road and drift on its own. It would also follow the smallest rut or groove in the road. After much research and many attempts to correct it, it was found that the factory caster values were barely adequate and doesn't give the vehicle enough "attitude". I added an aftermarket bracket which corrected that and added a couple of degrees to the caster values. That was many years ago, and she's been tracking very nicely since.
From what I am reading here, it could be something similar. But how can I be sure..
My 80 Land Cruiser had similar issue since I bought it, it would wander around the road and drift on its own. It would also follow the smallest rut or groove in the road. After much research and many attempts to correct it, it was found that the factory caster values were barely adequate and doesn't give the vehicle enough "attitude". I added an aftermarket bracket which corrected that and added a couple of degrees to the caster values. That was many years ago, and she's been tracking very nicely since.
From what I am reading here, it could be something similar. But how can I be sure..
I just bought this today, since i recently put on new tires and wheels. After about 36k, the original Michelins on my 2015 were down to 3/32nd (looked like it wore evenly) so i replaced it with Falken AT3s and Volk TE37s. Even though the car drove straight, I decided it was probably time for an alignment after 4 years and 40k miles. The only thing out of range was the Right Front toe. After adjustments, everything looks to be within range.
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 16
Likes: 8
From: Ca
I purchased the lifetime alignment years ago for my FJ Cruiser. I get my alignment checked/adjusted 2-3 times per year. I go on few hunting trips per year and several off road camping trips. The lifetime alignment is well worth it and has more than paid for itself. During the process of buying new tires, I negotiated down the price to $125. Regular one time alignment was $89. It just made sense to get the lifetime, only go twice and it pays for itself. Firestone is also owned by Wheelworks. So you can purchase the lifetime alignment and use it at any Wheelworks or Firestone location. Lifetime alignment is NOT just the lifetime of the new tires, but the lifetime of the vehicle as long as you are the owner of the vehicle. Once you sell it, the lifetime is void. I just purchased a used GX. Once those tires wear out, I plan to get an lifetime alignment. However, I was told that Lexus has to do some "calibration" after alignment. Is that true? If so, might not make sense to get the lifetime unless firestone/wheelworks can also perform the calibration.
Rookie
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 71
Likes: 15
From: Texas
ok, I was curious and went to the Firestone website, entered my vehicle info, 2012 Lexus GX460 premium.
This was the result??
This was the result??
Alignment Results
No Alignment Options Found for your 2012 Lexus GX460 Premium
Our apologies, we aren't seeing alignment options that fit your vehicle in our database. But there may be options that our local stores can identify for you. Give them a ring to find out.
ok, I was curious and went to the Firestone website, entered my vehicle info, 2012 Lexus GX460 premium.
This was the result??
This was the result??
Alignment Results
No Alignment Options Found for your 2012 Lexus GX460 Premium
Our apologies, we aren't seeing alignment options that fit your vehicle in our database. But there may be options that our local stores can identify for you. Give them a ring to find out.
Pit Crew
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 133
Likes: 48
From: AB
And I never buy "lifetime" anything because it is usually vague and never works in favour of the consumer.
For example, the lifetime alignment deal mentioned here, does it only apply if you install Firestone tires only or not? What if you want to install other brands?
Also, who's lifetime? Your lifetime, the tires or the truck lifetime?
Is there a certain schedule between alignments that you have to follow in order to maintain this lifetime deal active? Similar to the obligation of doing seasonal tire rotation in order to for the manufacturer to honour their tire warranty..??
too many variables!!
For example, the lifetime alignment deal mentioned here, does it only apply if you install Firestone tires only or not? What if you want to install other brands?
Also, who's lifetime? Your lifetime, the tires or the truck lifetime?
Is there a certain schedule between alignments that you have to follow in order to maintain this lifetime deal active? Similar to the obligation of doing seasonal tire rotation in order to for the manufacturer to honour their tire warranty..??
too many variables!!
And I never buy "lifetime" anything because it is usually vague and never works in favour of the consumer.
For example, the lifetime alignment deal mentioned here, does it only apply if you install Firestone tires only or not? What if you want to install other brands?
Also, who's lifetime? Your lifetime, the tires or the truck lifetime?
Is there a certain schedule between alignments that you have to follow in order to maintain this lifetime deal active? Similar to the obligation of doing seasonal tire rotation in order to for the manufacturer to honour their tire warranty..??
too many variables!!
For example, the lifetime alignment deal mentioned here, does it only apply if you install Firestone tires only or not? What if you want to install other brands?
Also, who's lifetime? Your lifetime, the tires or the truck lifetime?
Is there a certain schedule between alignments that you have to follow in order to maintain this lifetime deal active? Similar to the obligation of doing seasonal tire rotation in order to for the manufacturer to honour their tire warranty..??
too many variables!!
) and tire brand hasn't matter, in my experience. Since the GX will likely remain with stock suspension, and we'll probably keep it for at least 5 more years, i felt it was worth it (2 alignments will be the break even point). I've bought this before for my 2007 GS350 in 2010 and was able to get that car aligned once a year regardless of the brand or age of tires on there. I've never had them turn me down for an alignment on that vehicle, so that's why i bought it again. You can go to any Firestone, very convenient for me as i had some close to work.I look at this program as somewhat of a "loss leader" since they inspect certain components of the suspension, possibly brakes and can sell you on those services and also oil changes since you are already there.
For what its worth, Firestone recommended i bring in the car every 6k miles for a alignment check. I usually keep a car 5 years, so even if i did this service twice, it would be even money for me. Now, I can see Firestone turning you down if you have worn out parts and don't repair it and repeatedly come back for "checks and adjustments".
Last edited by msgs350; Feb 19, 2019 at 11:04 AM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,451
Likes: 65
From: CO
Do you guys trust Firestone? Not sure i trust much of these shops. They are great for tires and balancing...but even then, i trust Discount Tire more. My experience with Firestone folks is mixed.
For something that is done so rarely (unless you upgrade tires or do lots of off-roading i guess), why not just pay Lexus dealer to do it when it becomes out of spec?
For something that is done so rarely (unless you upgrade tires or do lots of off-roading i guess), why not just pay Lexus dealer to do it when it becomes out of spec?
Do you guys trust Firestone? Not sure i trust much of these shops. They are great for tires and balancing...but even then, i trust Discount Tire more. My experience with Firestone folks is mixed.
For something that is done so rarely (unless you upgrade tires or do lots of off-roading i guess), why not just pay Lexus dealer to do it when it becomes out of spec?
For something that is done so rarely (unless you upgrade tires or do lots of off-roading i guess), why not just pay Lexus dealer to do it when it becomes out of spec?
I don't give the dealerships more business than i need to due to bad experiences and generally higher labor rates..but hey..those comfy waiting areas and amenities won't pay for themselves.
Last edited by msgs350; Feb 19, 2019 at 12:11 PM.