The Toyota Landcruiser Owners Club

Crispin · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 17:52 Post subject: wheel alignment / geometry

Greetings all,

I am going tomorrow to try get my wheel alignment fixed. Again.

Problem I have had since I bought it was a slight drift to the left and an off centre steering wheel.
I took it to a Forumla One which could not get it right. After attempt 3 or 4, they have me my money back. The steering wheel was a bit better but not perfect. The drift is still there.

I have just called up my local kwik fit and they said they cannot do geometry. I called a different one and he said "Yes, we can try get it right but there's not always a lot we can do". He's not filling me with hope.

Is there anything I should ask them to look for / get them to do etc to help things along? Is this really that difficult?

I don't relish wasting another Saturday morning and then having to argue for my money back.
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Cheers,
Crispin
Have Snorkel, Will Swim

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lucky · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 21:36 Post subject:

Go and see the guys at Discount Tyre and Exhaust, I've never had any problems with them and they have done the alignment on my 80 series as well as my previous Hilx Surf. They are just on the A41 London Road just past two Waters traffic lights.
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1999 Land Cruiser Amazon VX Active 4.2TD Auto
Gloucestershire 4x4 Response
Landcruiser-rocks

IanW · * Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 39 Location: Swindon, UK

I have the EXACT same problem on my 2007 LC5!!! Evil or Very Mad

I gave to to my local tyre dealer the other day, they also said that they could not get it perfect. I am going to try and get it sort by Toyota as it is still under warranty.

Ian.

marlot · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 22:27 Post subject:

From swindon if you don't get any joy I'd take it to Micheldever tyres (in Micheldever). A bit of a track but their reputation brings people in from miles around and they can do 4-wheel alignment.

IanW · * Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 39 Location: Swindon, UK

garystockton · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 11:44 Post subject:

tut tut

- search would have turned up this:

Handling Traits thread

and more specifically this link

ST005 Service Bulletin

which you should read.
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I'll be more enthusiastic about encouraging thinking outside the box when there's evidence of any thinking going on inside it.
- Terry Pratchett

IanW · * Joined: 02 Sep 2009 Posts: 39 Location: Swindon, UK

Nuclear Chicken · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 22:50 Post subject:

Crispin, Ian, I had a similar issue with mine that was sorted with a decent level of success. All the geometry is adjustable and is quite easy to actually. It's the equipment that I don't have.... Laughing

The problem is, by all accounts, finding a reputable dealer/ tyre fitter than will do it right. Ask you're local Toyo dealer who they use, or they may do it in house. That helped with mine.

See also Gary's notes/ links.
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'04 KDJ120R LC5. Died 17th Dec 2010. RIP.

Crispin · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 0:13 Post subject:

Gary, thanks for that. Will have a look at it.

In any case, I was at a tyre place (Super Tyres in Welwyn Garden City) said they could do it. While the guy had the car on the lift and tweaking bits and pieces, I was chatting to the owner. He said they would get the tracking and geometry spot on and the steering wheel should be correct as a result. If not, there is a chassis problem.
He also agreed with me that having an off centre steering wheel is an annoyance.

So, after 30 minutes, the mech asked if he could take it for a spin to make sure. 5 minutes later he's back and said all is well except the steering.
I took it for a ride, the steering is next to spot on. Far better than the previous attempts from others. It is marginally off but not really a bother. More importantly, she has no more drift. Let go the wheel and she goes dead ahead or, follows the obvious camber.

Best part to all this, the owner said seeing as he could not do the job perfectly, he'd only charge me £30 instead of the £80.

The salesman has already agreed to get it right when I bring the car in for a service so will follow up on the recall and get the wheel done there. If he was not a million miles away I would have done that first.

Still, all is well now...
_________________
Cheers,
Crispin
Have Snorkel, Will Swim

NightStalker · Posted: Tue Nov 10, 2009 9:20 Post subject:

HMMM

interesting read....

Since MR T placed my wheels on the LC as they should be...ie same tread across the axles rather than front to rear I am having issues with balancing (at the front... cant feel any issues from the back wheels) and also the LC pulls to the left, not at a stage where I've got to fight it to remain straight but if I loosen my grip on the wheel the LC drifts off to the left.
Mr T is going to take a look at the balancing on Friday morning, and I'll get them to look at the tracking at the same time....

Regards
Rob
Cool

NightStalker · Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 13:33 Post subject:

Well my LC has been in twice now and STILL the ballancing is no good. I hate to admit though that my LC doesn't veer off to the left anymore, but the steering wheel judder is there between 60 and 70 and worse beween 70 and 90....
Called my local MR T and have been asked to bring the LC back in and go out on a test drive with them....
Think I'm going to ask them to rebalance all 4 wheels... wonder if they'll to it?

Regards
Rob
Cool