4Runner tracking and pulling left...argh!

[Blanco]

I've searched the forum and have seen a few threads relating to this but not always with any confirmed fixes. If anyone can point me to useful thread that directly pertains to this, please do so.

Earlier in the summer, I switched out my worn out 265/70/16s for a friend's, evenly worn, lightly used 265/75/16 (approx 70% meat left). After installing them, I initially had some balancing issues which I fixed by cross-rotating the tires which seemed to worked fine (still experience some minor wobble at 60mph). However, since this changeover, the truck has been tracking to the left with a really pronounced pull and I'm constantly correcting to the right when driving. Adding to this, the steering wheel does not sit straight and is offset to the right. Constantly pulling the steering to the right to correct the track is driving me nuts and makes for uncomfortable road trips and a sore arm.

Here's what I have checked and/or done so far...

- got a (quality) alignment done (results showed A1)
- checked tires for uneven camber wear (none)
- put on some other rims/tires to test (still pulled left)
- looked at LBJs and they appear to be solid though are original

I'm still tracking to the left and steering wheel is still offset to the right. I'm pretty handy with a wrench but no expert - what else can I be checking for myself at this point before I break down and take it to a mechanic or at the very least, ask a mechanic to inspect for me? Bearings, tie rods, steering rack, CV joints, brakes? Should I replace ball joints anyway?

As usual, all feedback appreciated!

 

[Blanco]

Oh yeah, if it makes a difference re: diagnosis, I'm not lifted, I'm sitting stock with '99 tall springs.

 

[SCRunner12]

I'm having the same issue as well. I've gone twice to get the alignment checked, but still pulls. I'm lifted, but it might be my tires. Hoping to hear some ideas.

 

[JohnsD90]

Check your tire pressure...

 

[Richard808]

you mentioned it happened after swapping to your friends tires. Try swapping the driver side tires to the passenger side and vice versa to see if it pulls to right instead. Sometimes you can have a tire that looks fine to the naked eye but still cause a pull. You can probably just even swap the fronts from side to side and see if the pull follows the tire. Other than that tire psi as mentioned above id recheck your alignment. Maybe take it somewhere else. Do you have the printout of the specs of the alignment? You can have measurements that are in spec but if its barely in spec and for instance slightly positive camber on the LF tire and toward negative on the passenger it could pull and be in spec. hope this helps.

 

[pauls4runner]

From your description, their are 2 aspects that generally cause this issue. tire pull can do this, if one tire has more a little more tread or air pressure, it can cause a pull. Also caster can cause a pull. really bad camber can pull but, you would be able to see camber bad enough to pull. if I were you, I would definitely go back to the place that did your alignment. even if they show you results that look to be fine, a steering wheel that is not centered is a big red flag that they did not do your alignment properly

 

[Blanco]

Thanks for all your input.

It's not the tires, pressure, wear or otherwise as if you'll see in my original post, I actually put another rim/tire combo on to test and still had the pulling issue.

It most likely does need an alignment again which is a pain 'cause they're it's not cheap plus the shop that did it before boasted having 'state-of-the-art' computerized alignment equipment haha!

I guess I'm just wondering if other than an alignment issue, if there is another problem like steering rack or something MORE expensive to fix.

Will follow up.

 

[Blanco]

Finally resolved the 'pulling to the left' problem. Got underneath and gave everything a good pull and lo and behold, the driver's side inner tie rod end (I think it's also called the rack end?) had tons of play in it.

Part replaced, alignment done - problem solved!