Pulling to the right

[Littlebob]

Inexplicably, the 2001 4runner with 200k miles which seem to drive really straight when I test drove it before buying last week has "developed" a bad pull to the right and I have to hold the wheel at 11 o'clock o drive straight. I now notice tire wear - I didn't see before - on the inside of the left front tire. This problem became very apparent on its first long drive. Also under hard braking the steering wheel shakes back and forth a bit. Dang it!

I took the front wheels off and the brake pads and rotors (.866) are like new. I saw nothing obvious, no crash damage or sign of repairs. But I'm guessing something is bent

I would like some advice please before I take it to a shop. Please let me know if you need more info.
Thank you

 

[Mynameistommy510]

The rotors warp fairly quickly on the 4Runner. It's a pretty common issue and most likely the result of your steering wheel shaking while braking.

How long did it take for your "pull" to develop? An alignment will obviously fix this problem, but diagnosing why your alignment went out could be related to a bad part or loose bolts, etc.

 

[Littlebob]

The rotors warp fairly quickly on the 4Runner. It's a pretty common issue and most likely the result of your steering wheel shaking while braking.

How long did it take for your "pull" to develop? An alignment will obviously fix this problem, but diagnosing why your alignment went out could be related to a bad part or loose bolts, etc.

Hi, I've only had the vehicle for a week when i noticed it (that was one week ago, bought it two weeks ago). We went on a 50 mile drive on flat freeway and at first I thought maybe road conditions but then I saw the obvious wear on the inside of the left front tire, which I think was not caused by driving 50 miles out and back. New tires on the front, not matching the back tires. In hindsight, I totally missed this. Ug.

Didn't think the rotors were a problem since they were like new at the new width which I think is .866

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

Inexplicably, the 2001 4runner with 200k miles which seem to drive really straight when I test drove it before buying last week has "developed" a bad pull to the right and I have to hold the wheel at 11 o'clock o drive straight. I now notice tire wear - I didn't see before - on the inside of the left front tire. This problem became very apparent on its first long drive. Also under hard braking the steering wheel shakes back and forth a bit. Dang it!

I took the front wheels off and the brake pads and rotors (.866) are like new. I saw nothing obvious, no crash damage or sign of repairs. But I'm guessing something is bent

I would like some advice please before I take it to a shop. Please let me know if you need more info.
Thank you

Do you see the tire leaning in? (positive camber) That would be fairly obvious. If it is take a look at your lower ball joint just to make sure it's safe to drive. If not then it sounds like your left front tire is toed out. If this happened all the sudden, I would look at the inner and outer tie rod ends first, or any kind of looseness in the steering. Does sound like something gave out or bent, which would have to be fixed before an alignment could be done.

 

[Littlebob]

Do you see the tire leaning in? (positive camber) That would be fairly obvious. If it is take a look at your lower ball joint just to make sure it's safe to drive. If not then it sounds like your left front tire is toed out. If this happened all the sudden, I would look at the inner and outer tie rod ends first, or any kind of looseness in the steering. Does sound like something gave out or bent, which would have to be fixed before an alignment could be done.

Tire looks to be standing straight up and down. Don't know what I am looking at to tell if something is bent. Do you think I should try using a parts fiche or other resource to find a photo of what a good one looks like?

 

[JRZEE2000TR4LTD]

Tire looks to be standing straight up and down. Don't know what I am looking at to tell if something is bent. Do you think I should try using a parts fiche or other resource to find a photo of what a good one looks like?

You can usually eyeball pretty camber and toe pretty close. Since you said it looks straight up and down, that rules out camber. I can eyeball toe by looking at the tire from the top (looking down on the flare or fender) and see if I can see more of the front of the tire than the back (the front would be a little pointed to the left in your situation) Looking for bent parts is tricky without an alignment machine. You can look for slop in your tie rod ends, by jacking the front up a little and having a partner turn the wheel while you're underneath looking at the tie rods and such. You can do it yourself too by having the front end up and pushing the tire in and out.

 

[Mynameistommy510]

I think your best bet is take it to a shop than post here what the mechanic quoted you including parts. Tons of members here will let you know if you're getting the right service or just being taken advantage of.

 

[ToyCyclist]

Hi, I've only had the vehicle for a week when i noticed it (that was one week ago, bought it two weeks ago). We went on a 50 mile drive on flat freeway and at first I thought maybe road conditions but then I saw the obvious wear on the inside of the left front tire, which I think was not caused by driving 50 miles out and back. New tires on the front, not matching the back tires. In hindsight, I totally missed this. Ug.

Didn't think the rotors were a problem since they were like new at the new width which I think is .866

I have a 99 4R SR5 w 238k on it and it would only take one trip up and down Mt Lemmon here in Tucson, AZ and my front brakes would start vibrating because they warp so easily. Once I upgraded to Tundra front disks that problem ceased to exist.

 

[JohnMc]

Some brake vibration is due to stuff on the face of the discs, like if you wash it and let it sit, it might rust differently where the pads hold water on the disc vs the rest. Could be something simple like that, it usually goes away with use in that case.

Also, on the pull, might check tire pressures to see if one is going low, it might not look low, but could still pull. And try rotating them?