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Steering Wheel Alignment issues on 04 rx330

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Old Mar 16, 2010 | 09:32 AM
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Exclamation Steering Wheel Alignment issues on 04 rx330

Hey guys,

I picked up a rx330 last year, i am noticing the steering wheel is slightly tilted to the left. I went to a local alignment shop and the guys did the alignment, even rotated the front two tires, then re-align.

It improved a little the steering wheel came straight. But when going straight it still tilts a little to the left.

I don't have uneven tread wear..

anything you guys can recommend?

Thx.
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Old Mar 16, 2010 | 09:36 AM
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Explain this a little more. What is your issue? Is your steering wheel not centered? meaning left of 12 oclock? You paid for the alignment, the wheel should be dead center, that's part of the alignment process.
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Old Mar 16, 2010 | 10:18 AM
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The steering wheel is centered when the car is parked, the wheels are straight.

However when i drive the car the steering wheel is tilted slightly to the left. There are curb rashes from the previous owner so the alignment shop is indicating that the wheels maybe damaged.

Tires don't have uneven tread wear. Looks like i may take it in to Lexus to have them look at it
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Old Mar 16, 2010 | 10:26 AM
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Is your tires all evenly airfilled? maybe you have to get the tires balanced.
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Old Mar 16, 2010 | 10:31 AM
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dont even worry about it.I have encountered this in the past,and as long as your tires are not wearing funny,you`ll be fine.
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Old Mar 16, 2010 | 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by tlegend
The steering wheel is centered when the car is parked, the wheels are straight.

However when i drive the car the steering wheel is tilted slightly to the left. There are curb rashes from the previous owner so the alignment shop is indicating that the wheels maybe damaged.

Tires don't have uneven tread wear. Looks like i may take it in to Lexus to have them look at it


Let me get this straight:
1. There's no pulling?
2. When you are headed straight on the road, is the steering wheel straight?
3. Any vibration while driving?
4. You are not losing air?

If you answered NO to all of the above, then we can surmise:

1. Rims, tires are OK, do not believe the alignment shop.
2. They did not do a perfect alignment.

Get money back from alignment shop, unless they re-align your steering wheel, which means they have to adjust the tie rods.

Pros, comments please!
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Old Mar 16, 2010 | 03:25 PM
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^^ Heh..heh..heh..I'm with you mandy

If there is no pull while driving straight, your adjustments were done right. And your tires will not wear unevenly as Lexus114 mentioned.
Now if your steering is off-center while driving straight.
Then the tech didn't center your steering wheel correctly.

When I get my alignments done, I usually ask the service writer if I could center my steering wheel before they do any adjustments.
So the steering wheel is where I want it to be. Dead center.

But if it's just a hair off and but still tracks straight...I wouldn't loose sleep over it.
Of course road crown is always an issue. Lol..
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Old Mar 17, 2010 | 04:13 PM
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Originally Posted by mandyfig
Let me get this straight:
1. There's no pulling?
2. When you are headed straight on the road, is the steering wheel straight?
3. Any vibration while driving?
4. You are not losing air?

If you answered NO to all of the above, then we can surmise:

1. Rims, tires are OK, do not believe the alignment shop.
2. They did not do a perfect alignment.

Get money back from alignment shop, unless they re-align your steering wheel, which means they have to adjust the tie rods.

Pros, comments please!
I checked my air pressure it was about 48 Psi on the front two tires and about 43 psi on the rear. I inflated/deflated to 40 Psi since i have Michelins and it recommends max 44 psi.

i did feel a slight difference, but my steering is just a tad bit off to the left while driving.


No vibrations, pulling, or loosing air.

just the steering wheel is off a tad bit to the left... i went to a mom and pop foreigner alignment shop since i did not want to wait around at the dealer or a franchise shop like Firestone...

I guess i need to go back
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Old Mar 18, 2010 | 09:25 AM
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Set your tire pressure to 34 psi. Recommended is 30 psi. Why the heck do they have it at 44 psi?

Crazy sheet!
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Old Mar 18, 2010 | 04:29 PM
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so today i went to my local pepboys to do the alignment and told them the whole situation regarding the alignment.

yada yada yada and $80.00 later my steering wheel is tilted to the right now when i drive straight...

i will wait a day or two if the issue is not corrected i am going to have to take it back..

Stupid Lexus needs 1 full day to do an alignment and i don't have a secondary car...
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Old Mar 19, 2010 | 08:25 AM
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Originally Posted by tlegend
so today i went to my local pepboys to do the alignment and told them the whole situation regarding the alignment.

yada yada yada and $80.00 later my steering wheel is tilted to the right now when i drive straight...

i will wait a day or two if the issue is not corrected i am going to have to take it back..

Stupid Lexus needs 1 full day to do an alignment and i don't have a secondary car...
Make the apt.and ask for a loaner.

Last edited by lexus114; Mar 19, 2010 at 08:29 AM.
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Old Mar 19, 2010 | 09:25 AM
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Alignment with a loaner at a Lexus dealer will cost an arm and a leg.

Take it to a reputable tire place, get it re-aligned if you do not want to go back to your other place. I would not see them again, obviously they did you wrong.
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