Symptom Related Diagnostic Procedures
NOTE: This article contains updated information called out by TSB SB-0391-08.REPAIR INFORMATION SUPPLEMENT: VEHICLE PULLING TO ONE SIDE
Service Category: Suspension
Section: Alignment/Handling Diagnosis
Market: USA
Applicability
- 2002 - 2009 4Runner, Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Sienna, Solara, Tacoma, Tundra
- 2007 - 2009 Camry HV, FJ Cruiser
- 2002 - 2005 Celica, Echo, MR2 Spyder
- 2006 - 2009 Highlander HV
- 2003 - 2009 Matrix
- 2009 Venza
- 2004 - 2009 Yaris
TSB SUPERSESSION NOTICE:
The information contained in this TSB supersedes the following TSBs:
- ST005-01: Applicability has been updated to include 2008 - 2009 model year Toyota vehicles.
- SU001-08: Applicability has been updated to include all 2002 - 2009 model year vehicles.
TSB Nos. ST005-01 and SU001-08 are Obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this service bulletin before proceeding.
Introduction
This bulletin contains general vehicle pulling diagnosis and repair procedures along with specific information to help correct pulling complaints.
This information supplements Repair Information procedures when the symptoms are:
- The driver holds the steering wheel without exerting steering effort while driving straight ahead the vehicle drifts to the right or the left.
- While driving straight ahead the driver has to steer either to the right or the left to maintain straight driving.
Warranty Information
NOTE: OP Code 044184 and the above combination codes apply to all models with the EXCEPTION of Combo E for the MR2 Spyder model.
APPLICABLE WARRANTY
- This repair is covered under the Toyota Comprehensive Warranty. This warranty is in effect for 12 months or 20,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date.
- Warranty application is limited to correction of a problem based upon a customer's specific complaint.
Contents
This bulletin is divided into the following sections:
- Wheel Alignment and Tire Characteristics
- Repair Procedure Flow Chart
- Repair Procedure
^ Important Notice
^ Troubleshooting
^ Vehicle Pulling Caused by Wheel Alignment
^ Vehicle Pulling Caused by Tire Conicity Camber Adjustment Method
Wheel Alignment & Tire Characteristics
1. Relationship Between Wheel Alignment and Vehicle Pulling to One Side
When the cross camber or caster of the front wheel alignment is large it can cause vehicle pulling.
If the cross camber or caster is within the specified range (30' or less), noticeable vehicle pulling will not occur due to side-to-side differences in camber or caster.
NOTE: On a flat road, if the cross camber or caster is 30' or less and the steering wheel is held without exerting steering effort for 109 yards (100 m) when driving at 62 mph (100 km/h), the alignment-induced drift distance is approximately 1.64 feet (0.5 m).
2. Relationship Between Tire Characteristics and Vehicle Pulling to One Side
When radial tires are rotating they have the characteristic of generating force in the lateral direction between the tire and the road surface. This lateral force is comprised of two factors:
- Ply-steer which changes direction according to the rotation direction of the tires.
- Conicity which is generated in a fixed direction regardless of the tire rotation direction.
If these lateral forces are too strong vehicle pulling will occur.
A. Ply-Steer
Lateral force due to ply-steer is produced by the construction of the belts inside the tire tread. With radial tires the wire of the belt is slanted as shown in the illustration below. Thus it is in the lateral direction that tire tread easily changes shape (stretches) and lateral force is generated between the tire and the road surface in the lateral direction.
NOTE: Lateral force from ply-steer prevents vehicle drift caused by road slant, so in many cases lateral force to the left is provided to compensate for road slant to the right.
B. Conicity
Conicity is lateral force resulting from uneven formation of the left and right sides of the tire. The direction the lateral force is exerted depends on the hardness of the side walls and the difference in height between the left/right sides of the tire.
NOTE:
- In the case of vehicle pulling caused by tires, the lateral force which is exerted as a result of conicity has the greatest effect. On a flat road, if the steering wheel is held without exerting steering effort for 109 yards (100 m) when traveling at 62 mph (100 km/h), the vehicle may drift as much as 5 feet (1.5 m).
- When vehicle pulling is due to conicity, the amount of drift can be reduced and the direction of drift can be changed by changing the location of the tire or reversing the tire when installing it on the wheel.
Repair Procedure Flow Chart
* Select a flat road where the vehicle can be driven in a straight line for 109 yards (100 meters) at a constant speed of 35 mph (56 km/h). Please confirm safety and set the steering wheel to its straight position. Drive the vehicle in a straight line for 109 yards (100 meters) at a constant speed of 35 mph (56 km/h) without exerting steering effort on the steering wheel.
- Steering Off Center: The vehicle goes straight but the steering wheel has some angle.
- Steering Pull: The vehicle does NOT go straight.
Repair Procedure
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
Before repairing vehicle pulling to one side, it is necessary to clearly identify the cause of the pulling condition. Frequently, the cause of the vehicle pulling to one side is diagnosed as wheel alignment. However, the actual cause may be lateral force generated by the tires. Performing wheel alignment when tire force is the cause could result in the wheel alignment being set at a value outside of specifications. This would then cause other problems such as uneven tire wear, etc.
1. Troubleshooting
First determine whether vehicle pulling to one side is caused by a wheel alignment problem or tire characteristics, then decide which repairs to make.
A. Perform the following checks and correct as necessary.
(1) Check tires for size, wear and for proper inflation pressure.
(2) Check whether the vehicle is noticeably tilted backward/forward or left/right.
NOTE: Tilting of the vehicle produces a left-right difference in the camber and caster and can cause vehicle pulling to one side.
(3) Check brakes for dragging.
B. Confirm problem symptoms.
With the customer accompanying you, drive the vehicle to confirm if the customer's complaint involves vehicle pulling to one side or steering wheel off center.
If the problem is steering wheel off center, refer to the Repair Information for the adjustment procedure. For 2002 model year vehicles only, refer to TSB No. ST003-01, "Steering Wheel Off Center Adjustment Procedure". Also check the direction of vehicle pulling and the extent of pulling.
C. Decide if vehicle pulling is due to wheel alignment or tires.
(1) Switch the left and right front tires (If the tires are non-unidirectional).
(2) Conduct a drive test to check whether the direction that the vehicle pulls has changed.
Helpful hints to determine cause of vehicle pulling:
- The direction of lateral force from tire conicity becomes reversed when the left and right tires are switched. Therefore if the pulling direction changes when the tires are switched it can be concluded that vehicle pulling is caused by tire conicity.
^ The vehicle is pulled to the right by the lateral force exerted to the right.
^ The direction of the tires which exerted lateral force to the right has been changed, so the tires now exert lateral force to the left and the vehicle now pulls to the left.
- If the pulling direction does not change after the front tires are switched the cause of vehicle pulling is not tire conicity. In this case the likely cause is a front wheel alignment condition.
2. Vehicle Pulling Caused by Wheel Alignment.
When it is determined by troubleshooting that the vehicle pulling to one side is caused by wheel alignment perform repairs according to the following procedure.
NOTE:
- Keep the cross camber within 1° or less.
- Keep the camber of each wheel within specifications (±45' of center value).
- If adjustment exceeds the specifications, uneven tire wear will result.
3. Vehicle Pulling Caused by Tire Conicity.
When it is determined by troubleshooting that the vehicle pulling to one side is caused by tire conicity perform repairs according to the following procedures.
Indication of Tire Conicity as a Cause:
When the front tires are switched, the pulling direction changes. Proceed to step 3A below.
A. Remove the front left tire from the wheel and reverse the tire. Then perform a road test and check for change in the pulling direction.
HINT: By performing this operation, it can be checked whether the left or right tire exerts a stronger lateral force. Either tire can be reversed. Shown here is an example of the left tire reversed.
If Vehicle Pull Is Eliminated: Repair Is Now Complete.
The lateral force generated by the left and right front tires is virtually the same so the lateral force is neutralized and the vehicle travels straight ahead. The repair operation is now completed.
B. Rotate the larger lateral force front tire with the rear tire and check the change in the vehicle pulling.
NOTE: By shifting the front tire with the larger lateral force to the rear, the vehicle pulling level is usually reduced.
If Vehicle Is Still Pulling: Go to step 3C.
If Vehicle Pull Is Eliminated: Repair Is Now Complete.
C. Adjust cross camber to eliminate vehicle pulling.
HINT: If the tires are placed in the positions they were in during tire rotation when the least amount of vehicle pulling occurred, wheel alignment can be performed with a minimal amount of adjustment.
WHEN VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT
Increase right front camber and decrease left front camber until vehicle pulling is eliminated
WHEN VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT
Increase left front camber and decrease right front camber until vehicle pulling is eliminated
NOTE
- Keep the cross camber within 1° or less.
- Keep the camber of each wheel within specifications (±45' of center value).
- If adjustment exceeds the specifications, uneven tire wear will result.
4. Camber Adjustment Method.
NOTE:
- After the camber has been adjusted, inspect the toe-in.
CAUTION:
- The method of camber adjustment differs for different models, so please refer to the Repair Information of the vehicle involved. (The information below are samples from the Toyota Sienna Repair Information.)
A. Remove the front wheels and ABS speed sensor clamp.
B. Remove the two nuts on the lower side of the shock absorber.
C. Coat the threads of the nuts with engine oil.
D. Temporarily install the two nuts.
E. Adjust the camber by pushing or pulling the lower side of the shock absorber in the direction in which the camber adjustment is required.
F. Tighten the nuts.
Torque: 210 Nm (2150 kgf-cm, 155 ft-lbf)
G. Install the front wheels.
Torque: 104 Nm (1050 kgf-cm, 77 ft-lbf)
H. Check the camber.
NOTE: Adjusting value for the set bolts is 6' - 30' (0.1° - 0.5°). When making an adjustment of more than 45' replace the upper and lower steering knuckle set bolts with the adjusting bolts. If the camber is NOT within the specification, use the table shown to estimate how much additional camber adjustment will be required, and select the appropriate camber adjusting bolt.
I. Follow steps 4A through 4H again. Between steps 4B and 4C exchange one or two selected bolts.
HINT: When exchanging the two bolts, exchange one bolt at a time.
If Vehicle Pull Is Eliminated: Repair Is Now Complete.