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Alignment issue and steering wheel jerk on highway

Discussion in '4th Gen 4Runners (2003-2009)' started by Kens4runner, May 14, 2023.

  1. May 14, 2023 at 5:30 PM
    #1
    Kens4runner

    Kens4runner [OP] New Member

    Joined:
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    Female
    First Name:
    Mckenna
    Vehicle:
    2004 Toyota 4Runner
    So very long story. I am bringing my truck back to the shop that did my alignment tomorrow and I want to be as educated as possible on the situation before I go in. Is what happened today possibly due to the bad alignment? Was it a bad alignment? What should I do? here’s what happened:
    So these r the results from my alignment 10 days ago. I got an alignment because I got new shocks and struts and left tie bar put on. When I got the tie bar put on my steering wheel was tilted to the left quite a bit. I got it aligned. When I left the steering wheel was hella tilted to the right. The guy at the shop told me that it should straighten out within 500 miles which I thought was odd. I’ve driven it probably 100-200 miles since and the steering wheel hasn’t straightened out at all. When I was driving on I10 today all of a sudden my truck pulled to the left and started switching. The traction light came on blinking and beeping. Once it stopped swerving the light turned off.
    I’m thinking this incident has to do with the alignment but I wanted some opinions and advice before taking it back

    70579829943__A2C571D0-A261-42B7-858B-9F063C5F2C7F.jpg
     
  2. May 14, 2023 at 5:53 PM
    #2
    Thatbassguy

    Thatbassguy New member? Really??

    Joined:
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    James
    S/E Wisconsin
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    2019 TRDORP, KDSS, MGM
    RSG sliders, Yakima offgrid basket, Pro-Comp wheels, SOS Streamline bumper and skids, Warn VR EVO10S winch + Ultimate Sidewinder, Bilstein 6112 + 5100 + rear lift coils, Rigid Dually SS ditch lights w/Caliraised brackets and OEM style dash switch
    The post alignment numbers look ok to me. The caster could be a bit higher, but it's in spec.

    I'm not sure exactly how they straighten out the steering wheel, but I'm pretty sure it shouldn't change on its own. That sounds like BS to me.

    And, for the vehicle to suddenly pull hard one way or another sounds like something is not hooked up properly underneath. I'd be tempted to have a different shop look at it.
     
    OverRunner and Kens4runner[OP] like this.
  3. May 14, 2023 at 6:34 PM
    #3
    xtremewlr

    xtremewlr New Member

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    Todd
    Tucson, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2003 4Runner V8 Limited 4WD
    Lots with more in the works
    Alignment numbers can be faked. And sending a vehicle out, after an alignment, with a crooked steering wheel and telling the customer "it should straighten out after 500 miles" is total bullshit. It will never straighten itself out. That's a lazy ass alignment tech and they didn't do a good alignment. Take it back and they either fix it right or refund you and you find a new shop. That's some shady shit right there.
     

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