Not a Corvette, but a question since you guys rock
01-25-2019, 05:08 PM
#1
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Not a Corvette, but a question since you guys rock
I know this may get moved and I hope I haven't broken any rules, My son was waiting for me when I got home, I'm gonna let him ask the question. You guys here are the smartest around, thank you, here he is.....
Hey guys! Thanks for taking the time to read this! My wife owns a 2008 Scion TC with 66k miles and she asked me to take it in to a mechanic to get new tires last week. I agreed obviously and when I got in the car I was appalled at the condition of the tires as it pulled extremely hard to the right and was a very rough drive. When I got to the mechanic, they had already ordered my tires and threw them on with a balancing. I asked if it needed an alignment because it was pulling so hard that i assumed it was going to need it. They said they did not and that if we still felt it needed an alignment, I can bring it back. The thing I like about this mechanic is he is honest and also just does what you ask him to do, doesn't try up-selling and tacking on extra things that aren't needed. So I said alright, thats fine, I'm sure its much better than before, and it was! Total new drive.
Now early this week, the check engine light came on and she asked me to take it to see what the issue is now. I agreed but when I got in the car this morning the light was off. I was already planning on going so I figured, I'll get the alignment since she wants it done anyways. They aligned the car and showed me a pic of the alignment on their computer screen of my wifes car. Looks good, so the guy takes it for a spin and tells me, "Its still pulling to the right, but we aligned it and it should be fine. I don't know why its still pulling, if you want to schedule an appointment for another day, we can figure out what could possibly be making it continue pulling like that". I agreed and thought if it was better thats fine.
Well the issue is its not better, its worse. it still pulls to the right and now the steering wheel is off-centered to the right. After driving down a straight level road at 55+, it pulls pretty hard to the right. I don't think they would just botch an alignment job but maybe its possible there's an issue with computer used and the calibration. I'm at a lost because I don't want to assume they botched it but I also want to know if botching an alignment is more common than I think.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, Thanks!
Hey guys! Thanks for taking the time to read this! My wife owns a 2008 Scion TC with 66k miles and she asked me to take it in to a mechanic to get new tires last week. I agreed obviously and when I got in the car I was appalled at the condition of the tires as it pulled extremely hard to the right and was a very rough drive. When I got to the mechanic, they had already ordered my tires and threw them on with a balancing. I asked if it needed an alignment because it was pulling so hard that i assumed it was going to need it. They said they did not and that if we still felt it needed an alignment, I can bring it back. The thing I like about this mechanic is he is honest and also just does what you ask him to do, doesn't try up-selling and tacking on extra things that aren't needed. So I said alright, thats fine, I'm sure its much better than before, and it was! Total new drive.
Now early this week, the check engine light came on and she asked me to take it to see what the issue is now. I agreed but when I got in the car this morning the light was off. I was already planning on going so I figured, I'll get the alignment since she wants it done anyways. They aligned the car and showed me a pic of the alignment on their computer screen of my wifes car. Looks good, so the guy takes it for a spin and tells me, "Its still pulling to the right, but we aligned it and it should be fine. I don't know why its still pulling, if you want to schedule an appointment for another day, we can figure out what could possibly be making it continue pulling like that". I agreed and thought if it was better thats fine.
Well the issue is its not better, its worse. it still pulls to the right and now the steering wheel is off-centered to the right. After driving down a straight level road at 55+, it pulls pretty hard to the right. I don't think they would just botch an alignment job but maybe its possible there's an issue with computer used and the calibration. I'm at a lost because I don't want to assume they botched it but I also want to know if botching an alignment is more common than I think.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, Thanks!
Last edited by Doug1; 01-25-2019 at 05:10 PM.
01-25-2019, 05:25 PM
#2
take it back and tell them the wheel is off center which means they botched the toe in adjustment. As far as pulling, was the car ever in an accident?
I assume the pulling occurs WITHOUT stepping on the brakes?
even though they should have checked, in the morning when the car is cold, check if the tire pressure is correctly set.
I assume the pulling occurs WITHOUT stepping on the brakes?
even though they should have checked, in the morning when the car is cold, check if the tire pressure is correctly set.
01-25-2019, 05:31 PM
#5
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Interesting, no accidents. But the brake drag could be a possibility. It does it without any pedal. But could still be a stuck caliper...
Thank you for the quick and concise responses.
I've started my adult beverage, so I am not going to jack up the front end and see how freely the wheel turns. lol
Thank you for the quick and concise responses.
I've started my adult beverage, so I am not going to jack up the front end and see how freely the wheel turns. lol
Last edited by Doug1; 01-25-2019 at 05:33 PM.
01-25-2019, 06:35 PM
#9
Safety Car
Thread Starter
I checked the tire pressure in all 4 tires. 2 pound difference on front right tire, low by 2 pounds, didn't think that was enough to explain the hard pulling.
01-25-2019, 06:37 PM
#10
Safety Car
Thread Starter
01-25-2019, 07:03 PM
#11
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Ok, I just jacked up the front right wheel. It turned about a half inch left and right. I looked up the specs, it's a front wheel drive. I don't think there is any brake lock, it moved that small amount very freely. There is no play in the wheel either side to side or up and down. Hmmm
01-25-2019, 07:59 PM
#15
I sent my son a text and he sent back -
Ball joints, hub bearing, outer tie rod end, sway bar end links, control arm bushings. Depending on where you live also look for rusted front subframe or cracked welds. Low tire pressure ( I know you checked that already).
Also, did this just start on it's own or right after something like changing to aftermarket wheels?
01-25-2019, 09:44 PM
#16
Safety Car
Thread Starter
Thank you for all the responses, I really appreciate it. I'm sorry too that I don't have a garage to play in too, lol. Yeah, the wheels are the same. I'm trying to show that I care, but not get too involved. Gosh, does that make me a crappy father in law, I hope not. I'm far from an expert on suspension parts. If and when this gets resolved I will report back here, thank you again for engaging your brain on this and taking time to post.
01-26-2019, 11:05 AM
#18
Safety Car
Thread Starter