Ok, so I was in an accident (2008 ISF) where the other car T-bones my front driver side wheel causing it to bend pretty bad beyond repair. The Lexus dealership fixed everything except I noticed there is a pull to the right. They had replaced the wheel and said none of the other components were bent or damaged, and even show within tolerance alignment numbers to prove it. Nevertheless the car still pulls to the right and they can’t figure out what is wrong. It never had this issue prior, and I had new tires put on about 1000 miles before this happened with no issues. They said it was the directional tires, but when they put a new GSF wheels to test it out there was the same issue.

Let’s see if one of you experts can figure out what the problem could be. Have you ever seen anything like this before?

 

Pull to the right... so just something to watch for or a lane change if you take your hand off the steering wheel?

 

It will change lanes if you take your hands off. I have figs lower control arm mounts, and the dealer tried to blame it on them. But I have had them for a year with no issues before the accident.

 

Are you sure every single suspension component is in spec (inc mounting areas)? Otherwise, could be something as simple as the new rim/tire combo if you didn't change all the other tires at the same time, or something as bad as frame damage.

 

There really is not enough information here. Can you post up the alignment sheet. Just because it shows in spec, it may need some assistance.

And for a short drive you could swap the front tires from sis to side, a find a flat road and verify no change. Keep it under 60mph...

FWIW, on a crowned road pretty much everything will head for the ditch.

So, no parts were replaced except a wheel?

 

wheels were swapped with new GSF wheels, and we still had the same issue. And Just the one wheel was replaced.

alignment before and after accident. Looks like the camber and caster changed a little. Thinking maybe Lower control arm or sub-frame bent slightly.

 

If the car is off the ground (on a lift) and you try to move the wheel in-out or left-right against the suspension does it move/click/fidget? You could have damage involving your wheel bearings or the surface they are mounted on.

 

Comparing the old vs new alignment specs the caster is .6* higher on the left side now, this is causing
the pull to the right. Vehicles will tend to track to the lower caster setting and with road crown pushing
the car to the right you want the caster higher on the right side. Your original alignment had the correct
cross caster your current one does not. How the alignment tech at Lexus did not recognize the problem
is sad. Just because the alignment numbers are within spec does not mean the alignment is set properly.
Unfortunately there is not a mechanical adjustment for caster, but they do make offset lca bushings that
may help.

 

this was my suspicion. Do you think maybe something is bent? Like the control arm or a mount?

 

I think its possible that something was bent on the left side in the accident or the sub-frame has shifted. I would first try to have them
loosen the sub-frame bolts to see if it could be shifted this may get it back to where it was.

 

IME, camber has greater influence than caster, and the -2.1° on the left, should make it go straight or even left into oncoming traffic. So, on flat section of interstate, it goes right. I just want to weed out road crown as caster will follow the crown.

One option to *possibly correct the front camber and caster is to shift the subframe / engine cradle and balance the front out. That said, making the camber match is not in your favor.

To decrease caster pivot the subframe rearward on the left side. To balance the camber, shifting the SF right would lower the left and raise the right.

Do this test please. Jack up the nose so the tires have light contact with say a smooth concrete surface. Get in the car and start it. Using your pinky steer the wheel full left and full right and tell us if the effort is the same both directions or does it steer right easier?

 

So after a lot of back and forth with the dealer moving subframes around, adjusting components, etc., they can’t figure out the issue. Here are the latest alignment readings, along with frame measurements.

Can anyone recommend a really good shop in S FL that can figure this out?

 

According to the measurement chart, some components are bent or damaged. I say this at it appears they are measuring from the cradle to the lower ball joint. This should be symmetrical. However because the upper A-arms are on the body and the lower A-arms, the cradle, the information you need should come from the body plugs to the lower ball joint.

All of that said, this car should go right according to the camber imbalance. I didn't re-read my own posts but it could be something is up with the rack and pinion since the accident and the car is driving itself right.

How much is this car lowered and do you have a picture of the damage and list of what was replaced?

Edit; corrected post

 

More negative camber on the left would push the car to the right... -2.2LF -1.7RF
It appears moving the subframe corrected the caster, but the camber is still an issue.
OP has the pull to the right lessened or is it the same?

There is a place in west palm beach called Weber wheel alignment, I am sure they would be able to address the issue.

 

Apparently it's been too long as you are correct. I was in my 20's when doing automotive alignment and lost the camber pull direction.

I would like answers to the questions posted...