JMAL

So i found this interesting yesterday. I had my 6 week old TL (under 3k miles) at the dealer to replace the steering wheel. There were 2 bubbles forming right over the volume controls where it seemed there was bad adhesion.

After some failed attempts at replacing the wheel, first they heavily damaged the new wheel, 2nd they put it on about 15- 20 deg off center.... I had mentioned that i want an alignment and the print out to feel satisfied that the car was fine.

I know that the steering wheel angle would not change the alignment, but i was pissed and couldn't think of anything else.

At first the service guy was like its a new car it should be fine, ill road test it. I didn't fight back, seemed logical. But then it turns out, they did it for me anyway.

What i saw made me happy i blurted that out. Turns out from the factory and transport, the toe angle was off on 3 of the wheels and the combined steering angle was pretty off. It seemed to drive fine prior, maybe its in my head, but it "seems" to roll smoother now.

I would have never thought to align a brand new car that seemed fine, but now that i have seen the specs, I will probably do it for any new car. At worst, it might help mpgs and tire wear in the long run.

Food for thought

EL_PIC

Food should be eaten and not thought of ...
F.W.I.W. - if you got the toe angle measured at 5 different shops - you would prob have 5 different values to correct.
Some very different.

Bearcat94

When I picked up my Camry, everything seemded fine. Then I drove to Atlanta and back - about 600 miles or so. Had to hold left steering input all the way down and back. PITA.

Took to the dealer to have the alignment fixed. I doubt the car had more than 1000 miles on it.

It happens.

JMAL

here is pic of the alignment before and after chart. pretty cool i thought