alignment off on TRD Pro

[Randyman...]

Simply curious - With the front lift and stock UCA's on the TRD-Pro's, is the factory Caster setting spec'd lower than a "Stock Height" T4R? Or is Toyota addressing this somehow to maintain good caster with the lift (with regard to wandering and self-centering)? Just curious if there was any tricks Toyota is using to maintain good caster (I could go for .5 to 1 degree more caster on my SR5 with 5100's @ 0.85" - a good alignment tech got me pretty close to 3 degrees - like 2.9 and 3.1 L/R).

 

[AudiTech]

If the dealership is unable to perform warranty service correctly, I'd think they should be doing what they can to prevent further wear and tear due to this issue. If they will cover it under warranty, they should be giving a rental while it sits for 1 week, 1 month, 5 months, etc (until the "correct" specs are released). Or maybe they should buy back/replace the ruined tires after driving another 100 miles, 1000 miles, or 10000 miles with incorrect alignment....

The fact that it was like that before he bought it, he still bought it, and then he knowingly continued to drive it that way because he didn't have time to deal with it kinda shoots that down. Not all brands/dealers do loaner programs. If he isn't happy with his dealership he can always try another one.

 

[gm350reratliff]

Sounds like your dealer is a waste of time. At least the service department is.

I would have asked for them to align it to the 2014 specs. Even if your truck is stock or lifted 3" caster is caster, camber is camber, and toe is toe. I would still ask the dealer to get as much caster as possible even if my truck was stock.

In their defense, I understand that they can't do this because it goes against all dealership policies. If they were to align it and print out the alignment sheet, it would say 2014 Toyota 4Runner and you would have recourse to say that they didn't do it to factory 2015 specs. An intelligent service writer would have discussed this option with you and given you a choice. But that's generally the kind of service you can only expect from an independent shop or a good service writer at a dealership.

I agree. I would have asked them to align it to 2014 specs. I'm betting they will be identical specs. At least, maybe, they could've corrected the pull.

 

[Randyman...]

Simply curious - With the front lift and stock UCA's on the TRD-Pro's, is the factory Caster setting spec'd lower than a "Stock Height" T4R? Or is Toyota addressing this somehow to maintain good caster with the lift (with regard to wandering and self-centering)? Just curious if there was any tricks Toyota is using to maintain good caster (I could go for .5 to 1 degree more caster on my SR5 with 5100's @ 0.85" - a good alignment tech got me pretty close to 3 degrees - like 2.9 and 3.1 L/R).

Bump - Anyone know if the TRD-Pro alignment specs (Toyota's own specs/tolerances) are any different that a "Stock Height" SR5 T4R? Or have they done something to enable descent caster settings with the stock UCA's with the "Factory" (port installed ) lift?

Just curious how they are obtaining descent caster with the lift on stock UCA's.

 

[Ducmonsta]

Bump - Anyone know if the TRD-Pro alignment specs (Toyota's own specs/tolerances) are any different that a "Stock Height" SR5 T4R? Or have they done something to enable descent caster settings with the stock UCA's with the "Factory" (port installed ) lift?

Just curious how they are obtaining descent caster with the lift on stock UCA's.

I can't say that I'm absolutely positive, but chances are pretty good that they are identical. There is absolutely nothing special about the TRD Pros suspension that would require different specs for an alignment. The slightest difference in the height of the front of a TRDP vs. a stock 4R (of any trim) is very nominal. It's not going to change caster significantly. We're talking .2-.3 of a degree. It would be the equivalent of going to Costco in your stock SR5, TE, or LE and loading it with the next weeks groceries.

 

[Randyman...]

I can't say that I'm absolutely positive, but chances are pretty good that they are identical. There is absolutely nothing special about the TRD Pros suspension that would require different specs for an alignment. The slightest difference in the height of the front of a TRDP vs. a stock 4R (of any trim) is very nominal. It's not going to change caster significantly. We're talking .2-.3 of a degree. It would be the equivalent of going to Costco in your stock SR5, TE, or LE and loading it with the next weeks groceries.

Interesting - I thought the TRD-Pro's had a 1.5" front lift (similar to running 5100's on the 3rd cog?). I figured Toyota would address the restricted caster adjustment range that occurs when lifting 1.5" with the stock UCA's? Or do the TRD-Pro's just live with low (but technically "In Spec") caster settings in the 1-2 degree range (and associated wandering)?

Just curious if Toyota had done something to improve the caster adjustment range with a lift on stock UCA's as this would likely be a benefit to lots of us that run a mild front lift on stock UCA's.

Anyone have an alignment report from your TRD-Pros?

As you were

 

[Ducmonsta]

Caster settings in the 1-2 is out of spec. If I remember correctly, factory caster spec was between 2.5-3.9.

I can't say I'm very versed in the TRD pros build specs. Other than it still has a 265 tire. Visually, it doesn't appear 1.5" taller in the front than any of the other trims. It looks more aggressive because of the TRD wheels.

 

[Saker]

Interesting - I thought the TRD-Pro's had a 1.5" front lift (similar to running 5100's on the 3rd cog?). I figured Toyota would address the restricted caster adjustment range that occurs when lifting 1.5" with the stock UCA's? Or do the TRD-Pro's just live with low (but technically "In Spec") caster settings in the 1-2 degree range (and associated wandering)?

Just curious if Toyota had done something to improve the caster adjustment range with a lift on stock UCA's as this would likely be a benefit to lots of us that run a mild front lift on stock UCA's.

Anyone have an alignment report from your TRD-Pros?

As you were

It's only a 1" front lift; no lift in rear.
2015 Toyota TRD Pro Family Technical Handout.pdf

 

[Ducmonsta]

It's only a 1" front lift; no lift in rear.
2015 Toyota TRD Pro Family Technical Handout.pdf

Thanks for posting that link. I had never seen it until now.

 

[Maverick]

I finally had my TRD Pro aligned at the dealership. To recap my alignment was off when I took delivery. I brought it in for an alignment after a few weeks of ownership (only 200-300 miles) and after waiting 90 min. was sent away because they didn't have the specs yet. They called me back 7-10 days later and said I could bring it in because they had the specs. I waited another 90 min. and they said they were mistaken and they still didn't have the correct specs (now about 500-550 miles). I raised a stink at this point and said the specs are going to be the same as every other 5th gen 4runner and they are wasting my time. They said they needed to be sure and verify with Toyota. They gave me a loaner 2014 Tacoma 4 door for a week. FWIW I like the 4runner way more than the Tacoma. Anyway, I brought it in today and they had the shop foreman perform the alignment. I was told Toyota told them to use the specs for a 2015 Trail edition non-KDSS. I don't think there are different specs for each model, but whatever. Here are the basic numbers from my alignment. It drives much better although if I'm very picky the steering wheel is still every so slightly off center. It's probably not worth going back.

initial
camber
left + 0.3
right - 0.1
caster
left + 4.0
right + 2.7
toe
left + 0.06
right - 0.17

final
camber
left + 0.2
right + 0.1
caster
left + 2.9
right + 2.6
toe
left + 0.10
right + 0.06

 

[Randyman...]

Caster looks alright with the 1" lift on stock UCA's - maybe a hair low Pretty much where the talented alignment tech was able to get mine with the 5100's @ 0.85" on '13 SR5 4x4 (I believe I'm a hair above 3 degrees though).

 

[Maven]

So just got my TRD Pro yesterday. Already have 300 miles on it and noticed that the car kept pulling to the passenger side. Took it into our alignment shop. They said normally caster has the right wheel slightly ahead. My car had the left wheel set ahead.

Seems to be fixed now $70 later.

 

[sbayha]

I have the pull right problem too. At dealer service now for a full day and three alignments. They seem perplexed. I'm getting worried. 14 trail premium.

Update:
Alignment numbers below.

Got a line from the service writer claiming it's easy to take a rear wheel drive vehicles front end out of alignment. And the tech checked brakes, cross rotated tires, etc and had to realign several times. This is difficult to swallow when the manufacturer claims your vehicle is an off-road model and you have been babying it on the freeways for 11k miles. The front end should be able to handle regular freeway commutes without going out of alignment after 700 miles.

I'm going to get my alignments done by my local alignment shop. These corporate guys are worthless.

 

[Lenster]

2016 TRD PRO SAI Off

Hello folks, I have a small oscillation coming from the right side (16 TRD Pro). It varies at different speeds. Dealer aligned although not sure they have the correct specs in the machine yet. They said it was due to the offroad tires (stock Nitto Grappler), I'm not buying it.

Two questions I have:
1-Should I be concerned with the SAI being out of spec (13.5 left, 13.3 Right) on a new vehicle with less than 700 miles!? Read online it seems to deal with steering wheel re-centering after a turn. What if anything should I do about it?

2-My guess is the oscillation is an unbalanced tire. How noisy are your Grapplers and do you feel/hear any oscillation?

Thanks!

 

[imi.trdpro]

Saker,

I just bought a new TRD Pro and I am having the issues with alignment.
Tried to use your "2015 Toyota TRD Pro Family Technical Handout.pdf " link, but it just redirects me to a generic page with no .pdf file available. Would you mind to send me this information, please! I would really appreciate your help, sir.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

So here's the TSB for "Pulling" that is supposed to assist technicians in handling these complaints (to give you guys a better idea of what Toyota is calling for), I know it only goes up to '14; but I think they just haven't updated it yet (some of these TSBs get updated in chunks rather than yearly.)

View attachment T-SB-0391-08.pdf

The alignment specifications look pretty good for [MENTION=124707]sbayha[/MENTION], though I would have wanted to bring that passenger side a bit closer to zero myself. How bad is the crowning/angle of the roads in your guy's neck of the woods? On my way back from Tahoe this weekend I noticed my 4Runner tended to drift on the freeway with the very deep crown/angle of the freeway for drainage and needed a bit of correction. But on flatter sections when getting closer to the Bay Area it went straight as an arrow, a lot of the streets in my area are also not flat so I notice a drift there as well. You can only align a vehicle to track straight on flat roads really, because even if you adjusted it a bit for the average crown in your area (which is common in some heavier rain/snow areas) the moment you went on a road with a different crown angle or that was flat it would drift.

(I know it's a 4th gen, but the suspension is the same; this is my current alignment specs as of last weekend)

 

[imi.trdpro]

So here's the TSB for "Pulling" that is supposed to assist technicians in handling these complaints (to give you guys a better idea of what Toyota is calling for), I know it only goes up to '14; but I think they just haven't updated it yet (some of these TSBs get updated in chunks rather than yearly.)

View attachment 184212

The alignment specifications look pretty good for [MENTION=124707]sbayha[/MENTION], though I would have wanted to bring that passenger side a bit closer to zero myself. How bad is the crowning/angle of the roads in your guy's neck of the woods? On my way back from Tahoe this weekend I noticed my 4Runner tended to drift on the freeway with the very deep crown/angle of the freeway for drainage and needed a bit of correction. But on flatter sections when getting closer to the Bay Area it went straight as an arrow, a lot of the streets in my area are also not flat so I notice a drift there as well. You can only align a vehicle to track straight on flat roads really, because even if you adjusted it a bit for the average crown in your area (which is common in some heavier rain/snow areas) the moment you went on a road with a different crown angle or that was flat it would drift.

(I know it's a 4th gen, but the suspension is the same; this is my current alignment specs as of last weekend)

BlackWorksInc, thank you for the information that you provided. It IS very helpful!

Need a word of advice... I know I can go to the dealership and they will do alignment for free, since my car is brand new and only has 180 miles on it.
But I read on this forum and some others, that dealer can't fix the problem correctly. Would you suggest to go to specialized alignment shop instead?

Thanks!:thanks:


BlackWorksInc

 

[BlackWorksInc]

BlackWorksInc, thank you for the information that you provided. It IS very helpful!

Need a word of advice... I know I can go to the dealership and they will do alignment for free, since my car is brand new and only has 180 miles on it.
But I read on this forum and some others, that dealer can't fix the problem correctly. Would you suggest to go to specialized alignment shop instead?

Thanks!:thanks:


BlackWorksInc

It's always worth a shot to try the dealer if you're not paying in my opinion, just do your research and find a good reputable dealer who will take care of you and your vehicle vs. one that will not care and damage your truck to flat rate the job.

If you can't find one or feel that the dealer cannot do what you want, you can either call Toyota's Customer Care line and talk to them about the issue and/or find a reputable alignment shop. It's up to you honestly, there's plenty of options and directions you can go.

 

[spawn]

anyone else take delivery of a TRD Pro that pulls to the right? My alignment has been off since my initial test drive. After 300 miles it is still the same so I finally need to get in to get the alignment fixed. Think the Toyota dealership can fix this without screwing anything up or should I take it to the local high-end alignment guys and just pay to have them fix it? I wonder if they ever did an alignment after installing the TRD Pro suspension parts.

How bad is your Toyota dealership that you have hesitation of taking it over there? I mean why would you spend money on something that can be done for free? It is factory installed, let the dealer handle it. Good luck.

 

[imi.trdpro]

How bad is your Toyota dealership that you have hesitation of taking it over there? I mean why would you spend money on something that can be done for free? It is factory installed, let the dealer handle it. Good luck.

I know it is free, but the reviews are scaring. I just paid $45k for this car. With that said, I prefer (do not like, but would choose this option) to pay another $120~$150 to a local suspension shop and be able to see the alignment process and talk with a mechanics directly, than to drop the car to one of these 2 dealers to let my car dissapeared for 2 hours and get it back without knowing what was done on it (and what is potentially missing).

There are 3 dealers that close to me. Just check this review (and many
others). This is what they do (most likely to people who is not techincal savy, but still...) Would you drop your car to these people?

http://www.yelp.com/biz/toyota-of-s...popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/toyota-of-k...popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/toyota-of-k...popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/michaels-to...popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/michaels-to...popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/michaels-to...popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)

http://www.yelp.com/biz/toyota-of-k...popup&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=(direct)