2021 Limited Wheel Alignment issue need advice

[Arthur4R]

Hi everyone,

I went to my local Pepboys to get a wheel alignment done. I would have to hold the steering wheel slightly to the left for the car to drive straight and I noticed front driver side tire was wearing uneven. They called me in a few hours that the car was ready for pick up and I noticed zero change. I went back they tried to do it again, I picked up the car but it has the same issue, wheel is slightly to the left to keep the car straight. At this point this is 2 alignments and spec sheet is showing everything within spec but the wheel needs to be slightly to the left. Long story short 4 alignments later they can't get the wheel to be perfectly straight. On the fifth attempt the manager calls me and says the reason they can't align it is because my driver side spring has 9 rings and passenger side has 7 ( maybe vice versa). I am calling bullshit as I bought the car brand new, never in an accident and never any front end work done on the vehicle. Anyone with a stock limited can you please go under you car and count the rings on the springs on both sides. I am going to take it to a dealer at this point, I just want to make sure that spring difference is normal.

2021 Limited

 

[Humble Leader]

I believe this is normal. the driver's side has the fuel tank and driver and can tend to sit lower than the passenger side. OEM springs attempt to balance this out. with aftermarket lift kits and same size springs on each side you can notice the lean more.

 

[Humble Leader]

sorry I should add, I do have a limited and could go check the springs, my limited is a 2012 but I doubt that changes anything

truth is you may just be going to a not so competent shop. a good shop will road force balance the tires and would be able to trouble shoot this pretty quickly.

my bet is it's probably not aligned that great. you're under warranty anyway so if it's something larger it's covered. worst case is its $100 for an alignment at toyota but at least you're happy

 

[Jeremy556]

Hi everyone,
I went to my local Pepboys to get a wheel alignment done

Pepboys is for buying brake cleaner and windshield washer fluid. You should never let them touch a vehicle of any kind.

What do the alignment specs say? They did provide you with print outs from each alignment, right?

You need to take your car to a competent alignment tech and get a refund from Pepboys.

The different spring rates are normal

 

[rdruss]

How long has your steering wheel been "cocked"? Did it happen after you hit something? Unless something is bent it should be no problem to get you properly aligned with a straight SW.

 

[jakobe]

Not sure if this applies to your issue or how far to the left you have to turn the steering wheel. you did mention your wheels are wearing unevenly but still.. felt I should share this.

I noticed a little drift towards the right fairly regularly on my newer '22. I took it in to have them check and they couldn't replicate it. The tech drove the car with me and explained that most roads have an angle dropping towards the right (passenger side) of around 4-8 degrees. It's how roads are designs so rain water is pulled off the road due to gravity.

I at first called bullshit. But he took me to a street that he said "this is the flattest road near our shop that has nearly 1-2 degrees slope. he let his hands off the steering wheel and it drove perfectly straight. no drifting to the right at all.

again, now sure how severe your alignment issue might be but I felt it important to share.

 

[MasterFoo]

Does it happen when you accelerate only? I have a limited and I would have to hold it to go straight while accelerating. Had several alignments and still problem is there.

Last shop I went to, specializes in lifted Toyotas. What fixed my steering issue while accelerating is matching high caster. Mine is 4.0 and 4.1, the steering issue is very minimal now. I think if they could get it exactly even, it would not pull.

Full-time 4wd, lifted, and heavy tires = torque steer. Not sure if same problem, but that was my remedy.

 

[Toffees]

How long has your steering wheel been "cocked"? Did it happen after you hit something? Unless something is bent it should be no problem to get you properly aligned with a straight SW.

this, if it's a new vehicle and you've not hit anything, why not take it back to a dealer and complain about the alignment? or at least you may get a better excuse. if there's any damage to a wheel from a pothole, etc., that might cause alignment issues.