Alignment questions & concerns
10-18-17, 05:51 AM
#121
Driver School Candidate
We signed a lease two months ago on a 2017 GX460. It also veers to the right with the steering wheel slightly off center to the left. It is actually going in for service for this problem today. Also found a 2" diameter circle of oil or some type fluid on the garage floor under the car. Don't know what it is, but I had a 2005 GX470 that had 250K miles on it and never had a single fluid leak.
10-18-17, 06:27 AM
#122
We too seem to have the alignment problem. New tires, no accidents, etc. I believe the members of this forum when they state "it's seems to be normal for this vehicle".
However, before knowing all this I persisted with my local alignment shop (a national chain with a good reputation). On the third alignment attempt, they adjusted the caster on the passenger side front wheel. It made a big difference. They stated that there isn't a "factory" way to adjust this, so apparently they loosened bolts and "tweaked" things. I don't know for certain what they did, but the issue has been minimized. I appreciate GOHUSKERS comments and agree with them completely. Just a couple of days ago it was very windy around here and we made a 30-mile road trip. Often times I felt I was battling the wind. What also seemed odd is that on the way to our destination (the wind was blowing from the left) I had the steering wheel pointed at the "11 o'clock" position to keep the vehicle going straight. On the way home (wind now blowing from the right), I could keep the steering wheel almost at the 12 o'clock position with just small corrections to stay straight.
A few hours later (but still as windy) we made the same trip in my 2015 GS350. I purposely chose to take it because driving the wife's GX (in the strong wind) was not fun! With my GS, the steering wheel stayed straight with just a few corrections each way.
However, before knowing all this I persisted with my local alignment shop (a national chain with a good reputation). On the third alignment attempt, they adjusted the caster on the passenger side front wheel. It made a big difference. They stated that there isn't a "factory" way to adjust this, so apparently they loosened bolts and "tweaked" things. I don't know for certain what they did, but the issue has been minimized. I appreciate GOHUSKERS comments and agree with them completely. Just a couple of days ago it was very windy around here and we made a 30-mile road trip. Often times I felt I was battling the wind. What also seemed odd is that on the way to our destination (the wind was blowing from the left) I had the steering wheel pointed at the "11 o'clock" position to keep the vehicle going straight. On the way home (wind now blowing from the right), I could keep the steering wheel almost at the 12 o'clock position with just small corrections to stay straight.
A few hours later (but still as windy) we made the same trip in my 2015 GS350. I purposely chose to take it because driving the wife's GX (in the strong wind) was not fun! With my GS, the steering wheel stayed straight with just a few corrections each way.
Last edited by DallasDave; 01-20-18 at 07:50 AM.
10-18-17, 07:50 AM
#123
We too seem to have the alignment problem. New tires, no accidents, etc. I believe the members of this forum when they state "it's seems to be normal for this vehicle".
However, before knowing all this I persisted with my local alignment shop (a national chain with a good reputation). On the third alignment attempt, they adjusted the castor on the passenger side front wheel. It made a big difference. They stated that there isn't a "factory" way to adjust this, so apparently they loosened bolts and "tweaked" things. I don't know for certain what they did, but the issue has been minimized. I appreciate GOHUSKERS comments and agree with them completely. Just a couple of days ago it was very windy around here and we made a 30-mile road trip. Often times I felt I was battling the wind. What also seemed odd is that on the way to our destination (the wind was blowing from the left) I had the steering wheel pointed at the "11 o'clock" position to keep the vehicle going straight. On the way home (wind now blowing from the right), I could keep the steering wheel almost at the 12 o'clock position with just small corrections to stay straight.
A few hours later (but still as windy) we made the same trip in my 2015 GS350. I purposely chose to take it because driving the wife's GX (in the strong wind) was not fun! With my GS, the steering wheel stayed straight with just a few corrections each way.
However, before knowing all this I persisted with my local alignment shop (a national chain with a good reputation). On the third alignment attempt, they adjusted the castor on the passenger side front wheel. It made a big difference. They stated that there isn't a "factory" way to adjust this, so apparently they loosened bolts and "tweaked" things. I don't know for certain what they did, but the issue has been minimized. I appreciate GOHUSKERS comments and agree with them completely. Just a couple of days ago it was very windy around here and we made a 30-mile road trip. Often times I felt I was battling the wind. What also seemed odd is that on the way to our destination (the wind was blowing from the left) I had the steering wheel pointed at the "11 o'clock" position to keep the vehicle going straight. On the way home (wind now blowing from the right), I could keep the steering wheel almost at the 12 o'clock position with just small corrections to stay straight.
A few hours later (but still as windy) we made the same trip in my 2015 GS350. I purposely chose to take it because driving the wife's GX (in the strong wind) was not fun! With my GS, the steering wheel stayed straight with just a few corrections each way.
I had done alignment TWICE, helped little but back to the same issues.
10-18-17, 08:33 AM
#124
Driver School Candidate
How odd. My father in law has a gx470 07 and that thing is straight as an arrow and rock solid. It was one of the reasons why I decided to get my wife in to a gx460 for or family. I understand that gx sales accounts for a very small part of Toyota/Lexus sales. But I would think if it’s like some suspension issue or reinforcement issue, they would offer a recall to address this problem for gx owners. Sounds to me that lots of people are having this issue... this may deter future gx buyers from even considering the truck let alone the brand. Oh well life goes on ��
10-18-17, 08:34 AM
#125
"A skilled wheel alignment technician offsets the vehicle alignment very slightly. This allows for a road crown. With a properly set wheel alignment the vehicle drives straight, on most roads."
I wonder how many techs are skilled enough to do this or whether they just align it dead straight. This might also help to correct the right side pull.
I wonder how many techs are skilled enough to do this or whether they just align it dead straight. This might also help to correct the right side pull.
10-18-17, 08:43 AM
#126
Driver School Candidate
Hehe I would still trust Toyota’s specs for safety than tweeking it just to calm my ocd. It’s annoying for sure but if it is just a characteristic of the truck and does not affec safely, I think I’ll just accept the fact. What if someone made adjustments but at like higher speeds it isn’t stable or something. I’m not too mechanically knowledgeable so I would just want it how Toyota wants it. In case something were to happen caused by this, it would be on Toyota and not on the owner who took it out of spec..
10-18-17, 07:30 PM
#127
Advanced
Have a '16 and it exhibits the same exact issues you are describing. I took it in twice and they say it's normal... There is another thread that talks about this with people saying it's "fixed", but no one has a clear cut answer on how the dealer or tire shop fixed it.
10-18-17, 09:21 PM
#128
Driver School Candidate
I was curious and looked up the Landcruiser Prado, the cousin, and google searched “Prado veering” and it talks about same issue for the prado as well but veering left. I think they are right hand drive over seas. Anyway I thought that it was interesting and worth mentioning. As funny as it may sound, maybe it was a weird safety feature lol. Obviously if you are gonna ever off the road you’d want to veer off away from on coming traffic... Just an idea. The crown is a crown. I’ve owned / drove a good hand full of cars and it’s odd that just now on this vehicle only I am experiencing it. Just drove the wife’s car today, and I must say it is a sweet ride. I kinda like the rugged feel like body on frame truck feel. Def feels more like a truck than a regular suv or crossover. I’m glad I found this forum, glad that this issue isn’t a new topic because that gives me some peace of mind since it’s mainly used by my wife to haul our kids too. Overall we’ve had it for about a month now (bought used) and she a bit more than I but we are both happy with the purchase.
10-19-17, 11:59 AM
#129
No one is mentioning another obvious possibility, drag. Jack it up (blocked and in neutral) and spin the wheels BY HAND (passenger side front and rear) to make sure you don't have a brake caliper locking up or at least improperly receding.
My brother had a Fiat 2-seater with a bad habit of locking calipers. In his case, it was something to do with the emergency brake not releasing. Also check for a bad bearing.
It could be aligned straight as an arrow, but something else is causing drag on one side.
My brother had a Fiat 2-seater with a bad habit of locking calipers. In his case, it was something to do with the emergency brake not releasing. Also check for a bad bearing.
It could be aligned straight as an arrow, but something else is causing drag on one side.
01-19-18, 01:05 PM
#130
Is there a website where I can look up the original OEM alignment spec for 2015 GX460? My last alignment (done at local Lexus dealership) shows positive toe (front) and negative toe/angle (rear).
02-14-18, 06:20 PM
#132
Racer
Alignment done at dealer?
My local dealer is advertising 4 wheel alignment for $160. Is it worth it?
I usually had it done at Wheelworks and never really satisfied with it. Is Lexus any better or I’m better of getting lifetime one from Firestone?
I usually had it done at Wheelworks and never really satisfied with it. Is Lexus any better or I’m better of getting lifetime one from Firestone?
02-14-18, 11:46 PM
#133
it really depends on the alignment machine. If they are using the new Hunter alignment machines, those are top notch and do a real good job of being accurate. I prefer the dealer to do the alignments since they are familiar with the car and my local dealer uses Hunter. In general setting things like the toe will be the same on any car, but adjusting the camber and caster can be a bit trickier. The better machines will have a printout of a before and after with all specs listed so you know how your suspension is sitting.
02-15-18, 05:57 AM
#134
Personally I found a Firestone that came recommended on the local Taco/T4R/FJ forums as being very good w/ Toyota 4x4s and went with their lifetime alignment. These trucks seem to have recurring alignment issues and I'd hate to be out $160 every time.
