I purchased a 2004 Limited 4Runner in 10/04. Recently one of my co-workers was following me and noticed that I was "dog tracking". He informed me of what that meant and i am now in the process of trying to resolve it. From what I understand, it is likely that I may have a bent frame. I contacted to dealership to get a full vehicle history from that day it "was born". No maintanence/damage has been reported so I have to assume it must have happened in the manufacturing. I have had a problem with the tire pressure sensor light coming on frequently and now figure that it has to do with the fact that my car is driving "crooked". As you can imagine, i am very nervous about what action is going to be taken and frustrated beings I just purchased a brand new car. Has anyone else heard of these problems? Does anyone have any suggestions on what course of action I should take or should expect? Thanks Venus
"dog tracking"
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Dog tracking was explained to me as you vehicle is moving forward but looks as if it is at an angle if you look from the back. No vibration noted, but I have been told that is the frame was bent in manufacturing, when everthing was aligned afterwards that you may not notice the vibration. The only thing i have noticed is the frequent tire pressure monitor popping on.
Good Times
New member
one way to test:
1 > Place vehicle on flat surface where you can mark the ground.
2 > Make sure front tires are straight. Trace straight lines of all 4 tires. (you can mark it w/ a T fashion so you know where the center of the tire is too.)
3 > Get a string and some weights (pointed end would be ideal). Mark sections of the frame on the ground. trace the dots and make another line (should be one on each side)
4 > move truck and check your lines on the ground. If the frame goes one way and your tires goes another way then you have a problem.
in the end, this should look like an accident scene that the CHP marks on the ground.
I'm sure there are other ways but this is something that just ran through my mind when I was reading this. I could be wrong to do it this way but it seems logical and easy enough to do.
Good luck
1 > Place vehicle on flat surface where you can mark the ground.
2 > Make sure front tires are straight. Trace straight lines of all 4 tires. (you can mark it w/ a T fashion so you know where the center of the tire is too.)
3 > Get a string and some weights (pointed end would be ideal). Mark sections of the frame on the ground. trace the dots and make another line (should be one on each side)
4 > move truck and check your lines on the ground. If the frame goes one way and your tires goes another way then you have a problem.
in the end, this should look like an accident scene that the CHP marks on the ground.
I'm sure there are other ways but this is something that just ran through my mind when I was reading this. I could be wrong to do it this way but it seems logical and easy enough to do.
Good luck
ToolmanJohn
New member
Dog Tracking?
I think you mean "crabbing", when a vehicle seems to drive straight, but in fact the chassis is pointed in a direction other than what it is traveling in.
Usually this is an alignment issue, or worst case a bent frame, suspension component, or crooked rear axle.
I think you mean "crabbing", when a vehicle seems to drive straight, but in fact the chassis is pointed in a direction other than what it is traveling in.
Usually this is an alignment issue, or worst case a bent frame, suspension component, or crooked rear axle.
It just would not be worth it for Toyota to repair a bent frame and sell it as a new vehicle. I can't see how any responsible person would ever authorize it. And there would have to be more than one person involved in the "conspiracy".
A dent or a scratch yes, but a bent frame? No way.
A dent or a scratch yes, but a bent frame? No way.
Iowa4Runner
New member
Maybe a bent rear axle control arm?
boston_kevin
New member
also keep in mind the angle of the road...
One thing to keep in mind is the angle of the road for water run-off. You should have your friend verify that the vehicle tracks the same way on the highway in all three lanes. I have seen cars track to the right in the right lane, then switch to the fast lane and track left.
I am not sure you can verify a bent frame easily on a roadway, unless it is really bad. Once the vehicle is up on a lift it will be much easier to see.
One thing to keep in mind is the angle of the road for water run-off. You should have your friend verify that the vehicle tracks the same way on the highway in all three lanes. I have seen cars track to the right in the right lane, then switch to the fast lane and track left.
I am not sure you can verify a bent frame easily on a roadway, unless it is really bad. Once the vehicle is up on a lift it will be much easier to see.
Hitman
New member
Re: Dog Tracking?
Dog tracking (or dog walking) is the correct term when the rear tires of a vehicle do not follow exactly in the path of the front tires when driving straight on a level road. It is usually the result of a poor repair job after a major accident that caused suspension damage or a bent frame.
Fortunately, it's easy to spot when following in another vehicle.
"Crabbing" is usually used to describe the binding/wind-up of driving a 4x4 on dry roads while turning.
ToolmanJohn said:
Dog tracking (or dog walking) is the correct term when the rear tires of a vehicle do not follow exactly in the path of the front tires when driving straight on a level road. It is usually the result of a poor repair job after a major accident that caused suspension damage or a bent frame.
Fortunately, it's easy to spot when following in another vehicle.
"Crabbing" is usually used to describe the binding/wind-up of driving a 4x4 on dry roads while turning.
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Re: Re: Dog Tracking?
"Crabbing" is a term from aviation, that describes basically the same action in an aircraft. When landing during heavy crosswinds, the pilot must compensate for this by using the rudder trim and rudder pedals to maintain proper runway alignment. As a result, the plane appears to be flying at an angle to the runway heading, or crabbing. (i.e. the nose is not pointed straight down the runway, but the plane is still on the heading.)
Same concept, different application.
--Mike
Hitman said:
"Crabbing" is a term from aviation, that describes basically the same action in an aircraft. When landing during heavy crosswinds, the pilot must compensate for this by using the rudder trim and rudder pedals to maintain proper runway alignment. As a result, the plane appears to be flying at an angle to the runway heading, or crabbing. (i.e. the nose is not pointed straight down the runway, but the plane is still on the heading.)
Same concept, different application.
--Mike
Hitman
New member
Re: Re: Re: Dog Tracking?
I'm sure that the same terms are used in many different ways, especially when you compare automotive and aviation terms.
If you perform a simple search on Google using the search terms "dog tracking bent frame" or "driveline crabbing", you'll see that there are several websites/discussions about these terms related to automotive jargon.
mjfrank said:
I'm sure that the same terms are used in many different ways, especially when you compare automotive and aviation terms.
If you perform a simple search on Google using the search terms "dog tracking bent frame" or "driveline crabbing", you'll see that there are several websites/discussions about these terms related to automotive jargon.
(couldn't resist!)