Dealer Says New Wheels Affected Alignment?

[safaristeve]

I picked up a new 2019 SR5 Premium and it would only drive straight with the steering wheel turned slightly to the right. I swapped the wheels with TRD Pro wheels and Falken Wildpeak tires at around 200 miles. I took it to the dealer a few weeks ago with 2K miles on it for the steering issue. They claimed that the wheels and tires affected the alignment and couldn't do it under the 12 month/12K coverage.

I didn't mind too much at the time because I talked to a sales manager who said he'd take care of the $99 cost due to another issue I'd had with them, but they're now deducting it from the other compensation they were supposed to send me.

Is it at all possible for new wheels and tires to require an alignment to be done? I didn't think that could alter the suspension geometry, but this is a first for me.

 

[delloro]

The physics of that elude me.

 

[rdruss]

I hope someone who really knows will chime in, but wheel backspace/offset positions your tire in a different place in the wheel well; closer in, or further out, that effects your scrub, as does a larger wheel width, wider wheel, taller tire. So whatever combo you changed to very possibly could effect alignment as well.

 

[JAXJeremy]

sounds like a bunch of BS..Just so I'm clear, you swapped the wheels that came with your 4R to TRD pro rims which come standard on other 4R models..It makes no sense how a different "factory" rim could be causing your issue. Do you have any other local dealers you could go to?

 

[safaristeve]

sounds like a bunch of BS..Just so I'm clear, you swapped the wheels that came with your 4R to TRD pro rims which come standard on other 4R models..It makes no sense how a different "factory" rim could be causing your issue. Do you have any other local dealers you could go to?

Yes, they’re TRD Pro wheels. I argued that they’re a Toyota accessory wheel and he switched to saying the tires could cause it. That conversation went in circles until I gave up and went to talk to the sales manager.

I could drive to another dealer (and should have) but the alignment is already done because the sales manager said he would have the new cars department cover the cost. He didn’t mention that it would reduce the amount of the gift card they were offering to make up for screwing up the holes for my front plate bracket and that I was essentially paying for it in the end.

 

[vipergrhd]

Alignment

If your steering wheel issue was there prior to the swap then they should align it. Wheels/tires set up can affect your alignment but not by much if your steering wheel is off after the wheels and tires you might have a radial pull and you are trying to compensate for it. Have the alignment done anyway under warranty tell them that you are not happy with the lame excuses 2K miles is not much if they still wont budge call corporate Toyota and tell them. You have to be a ***** sometimes and don't fold.