Just picked up a well maintained SR5 with 200+K miles. Was trying to address the car's pull toward the right, which leaves me driving with the wheel turned slightly to the left most of the time.

Took it in for an alignment, and afterwards, they said it still pulls a bit to the right and when you brake, I can see the steering wheel turn to the left even with no hands.

Here is a print out, not sure why there are still red numbers after the job.

Tires are pretty new, no skakes or bad vibrations up to 80+ MPH.

Brake pads all done and about 80%+

Thanks

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My 3rd gen does the same. Curious to see answer

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Basically they didn’t align the wheel properly. It’s hard but a good shop/mechanic should be able to dial it in. Could also be your steering rack is worn out. Has play. So when they though they had it straight. It actually was of.

Because it's still not properly aligned. I would take that back and ask them to finish aligning it, or at least explain why they can't.

You have a camber pull to the right. Camber pulls to the more positive side. Make sure when they correct it that your cross camber and cross caster are within .5 degrees.

Thanks everyone. Looks like ill need to trek over there again. Are there any other good reasons why an alignment cant be brought into spec?

I've always been told that the only time you can't bring an alignment into spec is when something is "bent" or "worn" to the point that alignment isn't your worst problem anymore.

My alignment guy checks for worn suspension parts, for example, and he checks that the four wheels are aligned to each other because that's not something he could change if it wasn't.

With respect to one side having worse camber, do the 4Runners require a given weight in any particular location (often the driver's seat) like the German cars do, in order to set a give preload on the suspension?

In some German cars, for example, it's 500 pounds of weight, so it's not something that is puny.

Only suspension modifications and/or bent/worn parts won't allow a proper alignment.

Looking at the printout, I find it odd that the caster stayed exactly the same but the camber changed almost a degree. Camber and caster adjustments are made by the same item (eccentric bushings) and each lower control arm has 2 of them. When you change camber you also change caster simultaneously, and for those caster #s to stay exactly the same but the camber to change is a little strange. If I didn't know any better, I'd swear they didn't even put a wrench on it and just have binding front turntable plates and when they caster swept the front end(turning the wheel 10 or 20 degrees side side to side taking measurements) the wheels hopped and the camber changed but not the caster. Either that or they didn't take the pins out of the turn plates at all, which actually sounds more likely.

That is what Im concerned about...they didnt really make all the proper adjustments. I dont know how to do the work, but noticed the guy spent most of the time putting a couple wrenches to the front only. Dont remember seeing any rear work. Perhaps the difference in paying $80 vs $180 like the other place I called.

I've only had my 4Runner aligned at a Toyota dealership. They run specials here for an alignment for $79.99 so I wait for those and they always get it perfect. You definitely get what you pay for when it comes to auto repair since they charge by the hour for labor.

Like others mentioned, it could be worn steering parts. Since you just got it I am assuming you don't have a ton of aftermarket suspension or lift parts, it is most likely a tie rod with play in it if that's why the tech can't get it aligned. Or he just ran out of time and was told it was good enough.

Steering rack mounts are worn out is my guess. Mine wanders at times, perfect alignment, does not wear tires. Of course the alignment shop told me that was my issue after I replaced my worn out suspension.

Is it pricey to replace the steering rack mounts? Any bad side effects of not doing it?

Well straight up they didn't align it properly. Look at those camber readings, terrible. He only messed with the front because the rear has no adjustment. I would take it back and tell them it's still not right.

Btw I see a good amount of people saying you can't align properly from worn/bent parts but you're forgetting one other thing, rust! Sometimes things just don't move anymore after years and years of rust/corrosion. I've had this be the case countless times here in Chicagoland.

You already paid for an alignment, if they can't get it right due to something out of their control they should tell you what needs to addressed to get it right.

I’m on my way back this afternooon. After going back and forth and being told I need a camber kit they agreed to have their master tech review it. I hope that will get things in order.

Costs like $30 and a few hours of your time. Not much fun to do, but it's a cheap fix that might tighten up a loose steering feel or fix a steering wheel shimmy.

That won't affect your alignment though. Don't let them tell you your rack bushings are shot and that's why they can't get camber in spec - your rack bushings have zero effect on camber settings.