Alignment off suddenly? Front left wheel slightly right

4runner15

4runner15

New member
Hey guys - my alignment was off all of the sudden. I'm not sure how this might've happened, has anyone ever experienced this?

My car was driving straight and I had an alignment not too long ago. Haven't touched the wheels or anything.

The day before though, I was on the highway when I suddenly had to slam on my brakes before exiting because a car was driving 40 mph on the right lane when i was cruising 70. I swerved to the shoulder as I slammed on the brakes, even felt like my car slid sideways or fishtailed slightly because there was gravel. Not sure if this had to do with it but I drove 30 miles home and it was still straight.

I even took it off roading a bit on some easy terrain, no obstacles or climbing, etc. Just gravel and grass fields.This was also before I headed home 30 miles.

I parked my car, left it, and the next morning it was off. Anyone ever have a similar experience? Going to check it out later but figure to get some opinions of those who might have had similar experience.
 
Register to hide this ad
JRZEE2000TR4LTD said:
is it pulling or the steering wheel crooked?
Click to expand...

Yes, the steering wheeling is crooked. In order to go straight, the steering wheel needs to turn slightly left. If i left go of the steering wheel, it'll pull right.

Also, while parked, if i make my steering wheel straight, I can see that my passenger side front is straight however, the driver left front is turned slightly right or toeing in.
 
my first guess is to adjust the tie rod. But how would the tie rod have moved? If bent while braking or offroading, wouldn't it have been unaligned when i was driving home?
 
Recent alignment I see. Maybe they didn't lock in those LCA eccentrics as those need to be pretty tight. It is strange that you didn't notice until you woke up the next morning. Didn't move overnight unless you have alignment gremlins running around your town.
 
Only things that would cause a shift like that would be ball joints, Inner or outer tie rod ends, LCA eccentrics coming loose which would cause other alignment angles to come out of alignment ( do you happen to see any Camber? tire leaning in or out, to or from the motor,looking from the front), possibly the rack shifting (look at your rack bushings) or something is bent.
 
JRZEE2000TR4LTD said:
Did you use OEM LBJs?
Click to expand...

Good guess. I did a quick peek at the LBJ and looks okay with the wheel on. The aren't OEM, but duralast.

I'm wondering if I have a broken spring or blown shock.

It is weird though right? Was fine and off alignment only when I moved the car in the morning.
 
JRZEE2000TR4LTD said:
Only things that would cause a shift like that would be ball joints, Inner or outer tie rod ends, LCA eccentrics coming loose which would cause other alignment angles to come out of alignment ( do you happen to see any Camber? tire leaning in or out, to or from the motor,looking from the front), possibly the rack shifting (look at your rack bushings) or something is bent.
Click to expand...

Some good pointers, all areas I'll inspect later on the driveway. From the naked eye, no camber but will put a leveler to it later.

By LCA eccentrics, do you mean the caster adjustment?
 
4runner15 said:
Good guess. I did a quick peek at the LBJ and looks okay with the wheel on. The aren't OEM, but duralast.

I'm wondering if I have a broken spring or blown shock.

It is weird though right? Was fine and off alignment only when I moved the car in the morning.
Click to expand...

where do you park? is it possible someone hit the tire, and knocked it out, or bent something?
 
nevada said:
where do you park? is it possible someone hit the tire, and knocked it out, or bent something?
Click to expand...

You know what, that would be an obscure scenario but actually makes some sense given the symptoms.

I street parked it on a hill, facing up, so my wheel was turned left.
 
4runner15 said:
Some good pointers, all areas I'll inspect later on the driveway. From the naked eye, no camber but will put a leveler to it later.

By LCA eccentrics, do you mean the caster adjustment?
Click to expand...

Yes, but they adjust camber also. You have to take off your front skid plate to see the "bolt" which goes through the LCA bushing and screws into the back adjuster. To adjust you loosen up the bolt then turn the adjuster. The adjusters face each other on the inner part of the LCAs. The bolt heads are on the outside, the back ones are above the rack and the front ones are visible from the front when the skid plates are off. Don't loosen them however as you'll mess up ALL you alignment angles including toe. Just see if they are tight.
 
JRZEE2000TR4LTD said:
Yes, but they adjust camber also. You have to take off your front skid plate to see the "bolt" which goes through the LCA bushing and screws into the back adjuster. To adjust you loosen up the bolt then turn the adjuster. The adjusters face each other on the inner part of the LCAs. The bolt heads are on the outside, the back ones are above the rack and the front ones are visible from the front when the skid plates are off. Don't loosen them however as you'll mess up ALL you alignment angles including toe. Just see if they are tight.
Click to expand...

I'll check that area out too.

I guess easiest thing to do would be to bring it to the shop for an alignment but would suck to pay for an alignment come to realize i need to replace something. then have to pay for an alignment again.
 
4runner15 said:
I'll check that area out too.

I guess easiest thing to do would be to bring it to the shop for an alignment but would suck to pay for an alignment come to realize i need to replace something. then have to pay for an alignment again.
Click to expand...

A good alignment tech's priority is to find damaged, loose or suspect parts, replace them, THEN do the alignment. This should be the shops priority also because they want to sell you parts and labor and fix your truck right the first time making you a happy customer who will tell all their friends what a great shop they run and they make more money and the world is a better place.....then I woke up!
 
nevada said:
where do you park? is it possible someone hit the tire, and knocked it out, or bent something?
Click to expand...

Dude, you're a detective. I think someone hit my wheel like you said!

After i got home, i walked by the car and thought, if someone hit my wheel, there is possibility of a mark of some sort. And what do you know.. some marks!

Good thing there was some dried mud on my tires. I noticed first that there was some dried mud missing. After closely looking, you can see scuffs in that area. Look at the bottom right.

lvuZoksl.jpg


A closer look, the rim was hit too.

qudz0eJl.jpg



Hah! what would the impact cause to move the wheel slightly right? Bent tie rod?
 
Last edited:
4runner15 said:
Dude, you're a detective. I think someone hit my wheel like you said!

After i got home, i walked by the car and thought, if someone hit my wheel, there is possibility of a mark of some sort. And what do you know.. some marks!

Good thing there was some dried mud on my tires. I noticed first that there was some dried mud missing. After closely looking, you can see scuffs in that area. Look at the bottom right.

lvuZoksl.jpg


A closer look, the rim was hit too.

qudz0eJl.jpg



Hah! what would the impact cause to move the wheel slightly right? Bent tie rod?
Click to expand...

Hopefully, anything else would be way worse, like the spindle.
 
Damn you're right. I have a feeling might be a headache of changing parts here and there to hone down on the issue..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 265 (members: 1, guests: 264)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,309
Messages
3,554,070
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top