04 4runner "leaning"

[054Runner1]

My 2005 SR5 V6 model also leans on the drivers side. I have not measured it yet, but even on the most level ground I could find, There was a pretty noticeable lean.

 

[CVsGX470]

The 1/2 " difference is unchanged with a full or empty tank. But I do appreciate you troubleshooting this with me.

a 1/2" difference is really nill, don't you think?
CV

 

[4RunnerSE2006]

The first step is to compare it to another similar 4runner with the same amount of gass. If there is an obvious differance I would then replace the springs.

You could be "ghetto" and use a spacer on the sagging side but I would not recomend it. You would experiance a different spring rate since one is already loaded with a spacer and would effect the vehicle and how it is desined to distribute its weight during suspension jounce and rebound. IMO replace the springs. [/B]

I recently experienced the same problem with my brand new 06 SE. I took it to the dealership (Not where I purchased the car) The tech manager was instructed by Toyota to shim the body. They added a spacer. Please elaborate how bad this may be for the car in the long run? I plan to keep this car for a long time. I do not wish to have problems after the warranty expires. Please advise.

I did ask them if the springs should be replaced. They said Toyota did not recommend it. Did they go with the easier route by adding the spacer? DId they con me?

 

[Mr. Lambdebois]

If they just shimmed the body off the frame very slightly I would not worry about it. Thats may be what toyota recomends. I do not know.

I just would not want a spring spacer on one side and not the other which is what I was talking about. I would be suprised it toyota did this. More than likely they just shimmed one side of the body off the frame very slightly to even up it's stance.

My guess is that it is cheaper than replacing a spring including parts and labor than to just shim the body on one side very slightly. Also if the vehicle is weighted more on the sagging side(gas tank or something) a new spring would still sag if it is supporting more weight than than the others. Hence a new spring of the same type wouldn't fix anything. Which may be why they don't recomend replacing the spring.....

The 2nd gen explorers had a slight lean to the drivers side because of how the gas tanks were placed. No biggie.

I am glad they fixed your lean. I think that is good customer service. I would not be worried since it was done and documented at a toyota dealorship. If that is how toyota aka the manufacturer recomended it be corrected you are good to go and do not need to worry.

 

[4RunnerSE2006]

If they just shimmed the body off the frame very slightly I would not worry about it. Thats may be what toyota recomends. I do not know.

I just would not want a spring spacer on one side and not the other which is what I was talking about. I would be suprised it toyota did this. More than likely they just shimmed one side of the body off the frame very slightly to even up it's stance.

My guess is that it is cheaper than replacing a spring including parts and labor than to just shim the body on one side very slightly. Also if the vehicle is weighted more on the sagging side(gas tank or something) a new spring would still sag if it is supporting more weight than than the others. Hence a new spring of the same type wouldn't fix anything. Which may be why they don't recomend replacing the spring.....

The 2nd gen explorers had a slight lean to the drivers side because of how the gas tanks were placed. No biggie.

I am glad they fixed your lean. I think that is good customer service. I would not be worried since it was done and documented at a toyota dealorship. If that is how toyota aka the manufacturer recomended it be corrected you are good to go and do not need to worry.

Thanks for the peace of mind. Yes the service was good. They gave me a loaner. Service manager was very professional. Was able to take my call everytime i called. I will be going back there soon for a quick oil change. (1K) I plan to ask him where exactly did they shim the car. I will update you soon.

 

[pipspeak]

Thanks for the peace of mind. Yes the service was good. They gave me a loaner. Service manager was very professional. Was able to take my call everytime i called. I will be going back there soon for a quick oil change. (1K) I plan to ask him where exactly did they shim the car. I will update you soon.

This is all rather amusing... Toyota's solution is to jack up the body a half inch on one side of a brand new $30K car? Whatever happened to that Japanese quality we've come to expect??! :

My 04 SE is about a quarter inch lower on the rear driver's side. I guess I'll mention it to my dealer before I pass 36K miles but frankly I cannot notice a quarter (or even half) inch deviation on a truck that sits almost six feet tall just by looking, so I don't really care.

 

[iFORCE]

uhh so what if it leans a little? honestly... who the heck is going to notice? how is it going to affect your safety?

I think its just combing through a car and picking out all its flaws. Just live with it.. its not a maybach or something.

 

[pipspeak]

I still like the explanation that the steering wheel and all its associated mechanicals is on the other side in Japan so the engineers never compensated for the weight shift when they made the US versions. That, at least, sounds plausible.