I need serious help I think this dealer screwed me out of $370. So short story, 2 weeks ago I had to avoid a driver coming into my lane head on causing me to check a curb at 37-40MPG causing both passener tires to blow and as I try to turn and see the kids license plate he sped around the corner leaving me to pay for all the damage. So waiting 7 hours for a tow truck with my Toyota Care... awesome service... even filed a complaint all they said was sorry. So got to the dealer and he quotes me $488 for a TE rim and I was blown away by the price and opted for method "The Standard" Rims and Nitto Grapper G2 tires that are the SAME size as stock 265 70 17. He also said I needed an alignment at that dealer I declined since I was getting new rims in a few days and my 15k service was due so I thought I'd bang them all out at once. So I install my rims myself easy as pie. Headed to the dealer (different dealer than the one I was towed too that one was closer at the time for towing) today for the 15k service. They first said they don't touch after market rims in fear of damaging them. I said okay I just put the tires on they don't need a rotation right now but I do want an alignment done. They said okay and I noticed it was taking a while, service writer came back to me and said something is causing the casters to not align which in my head I was nervous that I may have damaged something under the car she said the tech needs to take t apart and look. So I said okay. 3 hours later (they gave me a rental which was nice) she called and said my rims and tires are the cause for the casters to not align/be affected now she quoted to just get my car back will be $370 and they wanted me to buy factory rims and tires for $1800... I called the original dealer I bought it from who does install a lot of after market tires and lifts they said there should be no problem with the rims I ordered (bought car in AZ and now in MA or else would have went to my original dealer lol) I also called 4 wheel parts where I bought it from and he said these are the correct tires and he thinks the dealer is making it hard because they are not factory and I also called a fire stone just curious to see if I got the same answer and he said nope shouldn't affect the castors... so I'm asking you guys will after market rims and tires effect the alignment? Has this happened to you? Or did I just waste money basically saying no damage to your car but we can't align it because of your wheels and tires... I'm super upset... any help would be amazing. Sorry for crappy writing wrote this on iPhone in a hurry in hopes I can get an answer from the group before I get my truck. Also they can calibrate my new TPMS also which sucks. They quoted me $120 for that as well... so I'll have a Low tire pressure light until I figure that out..
After Market Rims and Tires messing up alignment?
- Thread starter JFrank
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That's what I thought man idk what to do... they also said no damage was found but something was messing with the castors to align the vehicle and they are just blaming my after market wheels and tires... ugh
THey said no damage was found... which is ridiculous... they keep Blaming my wheels and tires and this is a full on toyota dealer..
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DriveT4R
New member
Almost seems caster numbers were better before than after
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Twan
Senior Member
Like I said, the tech seems to barely comprehend what they are doing, which would make me very nervous. I'd highly suggest taking it into an independent specialist for a second opinion if you're really concerned.
The one thing they did get right is that it shouldn't shred your tires, but out of spec caster can impact your steering negatively.
The one thing they did get right is that it shouldn't shred your tires, but out of spec caster can impact your steering negatively.
The service writer told me they had their "lead" Tech working on it...
Do you recommend like another toyota dealer? (There are several near me) or should I take it to like a discount tire, firestone or a mom and pop?
Thank you
Twan
Senior Member
Another dealer would be a craps shoot, but I would lean towards a "no" on that one. I'm probably spoiled out here where you can't throw a rock without hitting a 4Runner/Tacoma/Tundra, which means there's a multitude of Toyota specialist Mom & Pop's, plus general offroad shops for work I'm not comfortable doing myself(being a former engine/trans/TC builder). Best advice I can really give is ask your local wheeling groups who they use and trust, not some dealer lube tech.
Agreed looking for a local tire shop today for an appointment and also going to see who will program my tire pressure sensors because the dealership also wanted to change me $120 for that also...
Should I replace the lower control arm? Everyone said it's still safe and not visually bent but could have a bend that can't be seen? Just really stressed out right now. One side castor is maxed (passenger side where I hit the curb) the driver side can still be adjusted? I just want some sort of explanation... someone help please :/
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Personally if it were affecting the alignment to where it can't really be adjusted in spec, I'd change it. If the lca was bent so slightly that it can't be seen, I don't see how it could change the adjustment that much, although I don't know anything about alignments.
Another place said it could be a ball joint as well?, it just pulls towards the right when driving at higher speeds and has a vibration at 60 MPH but I don't know what to do... just not having a concrete answer is very frustrating... and I've already shelled out money now to two different places.
