allignment problem?
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 24
allignment problem?
not sure if this is weather related, but lately been noticing the car seems to be slightly drifting toward the right. the steering wheel is not really loose and seems to be a little bit to the right. it is very cold and snowy here and i know i have hit some potholes, is it possible my allignment has gotten messed up? what else should i look for? and is this something covered by the warranty?
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 377
From: Agoura Hills, CA
my car seemed to be doin the same thing when i first got it, but now i dont really notice it that much. either i got used to it or it fixed itself, but i was too lazy to take it to the dealer.
Senior Member
SL Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,900
From: Michigan
yeah take it to the dealership and have them check the alignment.. chances are it's probably out.. i've noticed this suspension is extremely sensitive to adjustment.. it probably is out a little.. just make sure if they do an alignment they center the steering wheel 
Junior Member
Scion Evolution
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 28
From: Jim Coleman Scion (MD)
This is common on a lot of newer model veh. There's something called torque steering, and it sometimes causes a slight drift to the right. This is normal...it's just the steering compensating for the torque pressure. I believe if you look, this is also stated in the owner's manual. Also, if you've already had an alignment, the second one will not be covered under warranty. Toyota_Scion_TC is right. For 1999 and later years, the alignment/balancing warranty states that it is only applicable within the first 12 months or 20,000 miles. So if the pulling is extreme to you, take it to the dealer and have them do the alignment.
Junior Member
Scion Evolution
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 28
From: Jim Coleman Scion (MD)
This is common on a lot of newer model veh. There's something called torque steering, and it sometimes causes a slight drift to the right. This is normal...it's just the steering compensating for the torque pressure. I believe if you look, this is also stated in the owner's manual. Also, if you've already had an alignment, the second one will not be covered under warranty. Toyota_Scion_TC is right. For 1999 and later years, the alignment/balancing warranty states that it is only applicable within the first 12 months or 20,000 miles. So if the pulling is extreme to you, take it to the dealer and have them do the alignment.
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SL Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,323
From: Seattle, WA
So our car is covered for alignment once in the first year/20k miles? I'll make sure to use that if it's the case. I think my alignment is ok now, but I'll definitely want to get it aligned after this winter.
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SL Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 71
From: t-town
yup, i've had the same issue - only mine pulls to the left and the steering wheel is DEFINITELY off center... but once again i am too lazy to take it to the dealer also, haha! it's bad enough though that i want it looked at, problem is in about 1 month i've putting lowering springs in, and i know they won't cover alignment AFTER i do that, so i guess i'm kinda screwed cuz if they align it now and fix the problem but then it gets worked after the lowering springs i'd have to go through the process again. whatever.
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DeepSouth Scions
SL Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 463
From: New Orleans, LA
Before you give up hope, read this:
So, the burden of proof is on them to prove that your mods caused the alignment to become out of whack. We all know that lowering a vehicle or swapping out suspension parts does affect the way the vehicle is calibrated, but it's worth a shot. Get as much free as you can!
its from maxima.org (since im a previous maxima owner)
"Under the Magnusson-Moss Act, aftermarket equipment that improves performance does not void a vehicle manufacturer's original warranty, unless that warranty clearly states the addition of aftermarket equipment automatically voids the warranty or that the aftermarket device is the direct cause of the failure. The easiest way to check this is to look in your owner's manual under "What is not covered." Nonetheless, Dealers receive less compensation for warranty work than regular service rates and some have tried to deny warranty service. Under Magnusson-Moss Act a dealer must prove, not just vocalize, that aftermarket equipment caused the need for repairs before they can deny warranty coverage. If they cannot prove such claim-or proffer a questionable explanation- it is your legal right to demand compliance with the warranty. The Federal Trade Commission (202-326-312
administers the Magnusson-Moss Act and monitors compliance with warranty law."
Read this for more information: http://www.usdieselparts.com/mmwa.cfm
This is federal law. Don't let any dealer try to tell you different, if they do, go to another one or call Scion USA and get them to give the service manager a little call too.
"Under the Magnusson-Moss Act, aftermarket equipment that improves performance does not void a vehicle manufacturer's original warranty, unless that warranty clearly states the addition of aftermarket equipment automatically voids the warranty or that the aftermarket device is the direct cause of the failure. The easiest way to check this is to look in your owner's manual under "What is not covered." Nonetheless, Dealers receive less compensation for warranty work than regular service rates and some have tried to deny warranty service. Under Magnusson-Moss Act a dealer must prove, not just vocalize, that aftermarket equipment caused the need for repairs before they can deny warranty coverage. If they cannot prove such claim-or proffer a questionable explanation- it is your legal right to demand compliance with the warranty. The Federal Trade Commission (202-326-312
administers the Magnusson-Moss Act and monitors compliance with warranty law." Read this for more information: http://www.usdieselparts.com/mmwa.cfm
This is federal law. Don't let any dealer try to tell you different, if they do, go to another one or call Scion USA and get them to give the service manager a little call too.
Member
SL Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 71
From: t-town
i like that, so simply put i call tell my sales guy, hey i'm having alignment issues - then put in the springs - then go in to get alignment fixed! haha. i'll even get a receipt from the guy i know putting in the springs so i can properly argue the date and everything.
haha. i'll even get a receipt from the guy i know putting in the springs so i can properly argue the date and everything.
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SL Member
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 83
From: Chicago, IL
my allignment is a little off. nothing big. but when i center the steering wheel, the car will head leftward.
when i went in to get my oil change, i told the service person that the allignment is a bit off. it might be due to winter tire/wheel package i swaped on, but i doubt it. he told me that i get one free allignment, and if i used it then, i wouldnt be able to get a free one later on. since it was minor, and since i plan to put in the trd lowering springs i got in the spring (through a friend, not a shop or dealership), i decided to just wait. i asked him if i got the trd lowering springs installed by myself, whether or not i would be able to get the free allignment. he said yes. so im guessing that he was just saying that he would hook me up? i hope thats true...
anyone know how long you should let the springs settle before getting an allignment? or should i just get it right after installation?
when i went in to get my oil change, i told the service person that the allignment is a bit off. it might be due to winter tire/wheel package i swaped on, but i doubt it. he told me that i get one free allignment, and if i used it then, i wouldnt be able to get a free one later on. since it was minor, and since i plan to put in the trd lowering springs i got in the spring (through a friend, not a shop or dealership), i decided to just wait. i asked him if i got the trd lowering springs installed by myself, whether or not i would be able to get the free allignment. he said yes. so im guessing that he was just saying that he would hook me up? i hope thats true...
anyone know how long you should let the springs settle before getting an allignment? or should i just get it right after installation?
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 45
From: Iowa Hawkeye
This is common on a lot of newer model veh. There's something called torque steering, and it sometimes causes a slight drift to the right. This is normal...it's just the steering compensating for the torque pressure. I believe if you look, this is also stated in the owner's manual. Also, if you've already had an alignment, the second one will not be covered under warranty. Toyota_Scion_TC is right. For 1999 and later years, the alignment/balancing warranty states that it is only applicable within the first 12 months or 20,000 miles. So if the pulling is extreme to you, take it to the dealer and have them do the alignment.
Anyways, it does not cost anything to get the allignment checked a second time as long as you still notice the same problematic issue.
To make sure your allignment is not correct, try driving on the interstate once going each direction(to ensure its not due to the wind). And if possible strattle the center of the road and see how she pulls.
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SL Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,787
From: Lake Forest, CA
I was wondering about this...
My tC is about a two months old now. I noticed the slight pull to the right when braking, and always assumed it was just the contour of the road.
I noticed that very rough patches in the road sometimes 'steer' the car to the side a little--not enough to be a problem, but there is a definate 'tug'.
I'll probably have them align it when I get my oil changed, and I'll post if anything changes.
My tC is about a two months old now. I noticed the slight pull to the right when braking, and always assumed it was just the contour of the road.
I noticed that very rough patches in the road sometimes 'steer' the car to the side a little--not enough to be a problem, but there is a definate 'tug'.
I'll probably have them align it when I get my oil changed, and I'll post if anything changes.
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