RX 450h tight steering and alignment

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Mar 24, 2019 | 03:45 PM

fpb1980

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Joined: Apr 2016

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From: PA

RX 450h tight steering and alignment

Hello, I have a 2018 450h and a few weeks ago I went over a curb, nicked my two right side rims (light scrapes and have tire package) and it threw the rear right side of the car out of alignment. Luckily, there was no damage and the car only needed an alignment. I took the car to my lexus dealer and after the alignment I noticed that the steering seems tight or heavy at times. I can still turn with one hand and there are no issues with going at high speeds.

I took the car back to lexus and they mentioned that the alignment still falls in the correct ranges and they don't want to overcompensate any areas of the alignment. The steering seems different to me after the alignment but wanted to get the forums input.

Thanks.

Mar 25, 2019 | 06:46 AM

ravenuer

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Joined: Nov 2017

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From: New York

I suppose it's possible something got bent under there. You don't say if Lexus charged you for any work, but if they won't do anything else, you might want to bring it to an independent shop and have them give the complete suspension a close inspection and alignment check.

Mar 25, 2019 | 06:54 AM

fpb1980

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Joined: Apr 2016

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From: PA

I was only charged for the alignment since it was my fault, they mentioned that they looked at the suspension but I'm not sure how close they looked. I may give them a call back.

Thanks.

Mar 25, 2019 | 08:41 AM

Machine13

Pole Position

Joined: Nov 2014

Posts: 227

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From: Florida

Don’t know how hard you may have hit the curb but oftentimes going over a curb hard enough can translate into strut tower damage. If that were the case it may take the frame bending machine to bend the strut tower(s) and/or frame back into spec. I don’t know how that could make steering more difficult however. Seems like a steering issue would be caused by steering related components, not suspension components necessarily. But maybe you could ask them to inspect the strut towers for warpage during their inspection. Another way to tell is to see if the gaps between top of tire and fender are different. But the difference may be very slight. If repair is needed on these components it may get very costly and you might need to file an insurance claim. Good luck.