Joined: Mar 2014

Posts: 273

Likes: 23

From: Indiana

So I had 20” wheels on my ride this Spring/Summer and hit a few good size potholes this year. Saw that my two left wheels had a slight visible bend so put the stock 18” back on. Car drives perfectly smooth but pulling to the left when steering wheel was held straight. So I knew an alignment needed done. I don't let anyone but myself or the dealer (if I have to) touch the car. Decided to take it to my local Toyota dealership.

Sitting in the waiting room eating their doughnuts he comes out with a piece of paper that has $1300 at the bottom. Starts telling me that the control arms are maxed out and he would need to replace the front lower control arm bushings, and both rear lower control arms “for longer units” due to caster issues. I said that the car drives fine, no cluncking, no vibrations, steering tight, just pulls a little to the left and I was not going to drop $1300. He said they would do their best to get the toe straight. I agreed and said I would see how it drives. Well a half hour later service guy comes out and shows me the alignment printouts (see attachments).

What do you guys think for $119.95?

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 6,858

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From: N.Y.

Joined: Mar 2014

Posts: 273

Likes: 23

From: Indiana

Joined: Dec 2015

Posts: 878

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From: Arizona

Joined: Mar 2014

Posts: 273

Likes: 23

From: Indiana

At 70k miles in 2011 the previous owner had all four struts and mounts replaced. I am not sure if the springs were included in that, but if they were, do you think they could still be sagging after 7 years. The car gets driven gently and nobody sits in the back at least in the last two years.

Here are the service history entries...

Service: STEERING WHL/MAIN SHAFT
Description: STEERING WHL/MAIN SHAFT ~|~C/S SUSPENSION SQUEEKS ON DRIVER SIDE AREA WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS ~|~TECH FOUND DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND REAR STRUTS/MOUNTS ARE LEAKING ~|~REPLACE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AND REAR STRUTS/MOUNTS PER LEXUS EXTRA CARE PAY $1045.05 AUTH#VSA2GA0987

Service: FRONT AXLE
Description: FRONT AXLE ~|~CUSTOMER STATES SUSPENSIONS SQUEEKS ~|~TECH FOUND RIGHT FRONT AND RIGHT REAR STRUTS/MOUNTS LEAKING ~|~REPLACE RIGHT FRONT AND REAR STRUT/MOUNTS PER LEXUS EXTRA CARE PAY $1024.81 AUTH# VSA1ZE6063


I am more concerned with the front end because the car still pulls to the left when the steering wheel is held straight. Would the rear suspension numbers be causing this? They actually look slightly worse in the rear AFTER the alignment.

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 20,895

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From: California

Joined: Mar 2014

Posts: 273

Likes: 23

From: Indiana

Thanks.

I am going back to the Toyota dealership to get the front aligned again (for free). Car has an off center steering wheel. They must have aligned it with the steering wheel slightly to the right so when I hold it straight, it pulls left pretty hard.

Also, it seems that the steering wheel does not return to center all the way after a turn. And if I am in the right lane and let the car drift over the road crown into the left lane, as soon as the left wheel goes over the road crown, it pulls harder left. Would this point to the lower control arm bushings? I do not feel any looseness in the steering, its just kind of lazy to return to center and tends to wander requiring constant correction.

As far as the rear suspension, the camber is out evenly on both sides so should not cause a pull but I will look into some new springs in the back. Anybody know what the ride height should be in the back?

Joined: Aug 2012

Posts: 592

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From: Kentucky

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 1,293

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From: Toronto, Canada