Driver side rear wheel offset from passenger isde

[ssk1]

Hello,

I recently bought a 2001 SR5 with a clean title, and just noticed that the rear driver's side wheel is sticking out further than the passenger side rear wheel. It sticks out about a 1/2" further out than the passenger side.

I've got 265mm Michelin tires on 16" stock rims. Suspension is also stock.

The guy I bought it from wasn't the type to be tricking out a car, and he was the original owner as well, so I doubt it is due to any mods. It was also dealer maintained it's entire life.

Is the wheel position supposed to be asymmetrical like this? Could it be that the axle is somehow shifted towards the driver's side? Any reply would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Yoter]

Congratulations on your new truck and welcome to the site.
This is an issue with lifted trucks but the axle moves/gets pulled to the passenger side of the vehicle when the truck is lifted.
I am not sure how many miles are on your 4runner, but rear end sag is an across the board issue with 4runners. Over time the soft rear springs begin to sag and no longer hold the original intended vehicle height.
I am assuming this is what has happened to your 4runner, and because the rear is now sitting lower than the car was designed for the Panhard Bar is misaligning the axle. You will need to buy new rear springs, there is a toyota recall for the rear springs, I am not 100% sure which years are covered by it though.

 

[ssk1]

It's got 167k miles on it since 2001. Yeah, it's probably rear sag then. I checked for available recalls and the only one that may apply to me is the one for the lower ball joint. Haven't found anything for the 2001 model year regarding rear sag. I have read about rear sag being an issue for I think 1st or 2nd gen 4Runners, but not 3rd gens. Anyway, thanks for the reply! I guess I shouldn't be worrying about it too much.

 

[brian2sun]

Yeah, it's just rear sag, and it's an issue with 3rd gens too. Coils will eventually wear out on any vehicle, especially after 12 years and 167K. It's not a big deal if you drive it like that for a while, but rear coils are pretty cheap and easy to replace.