Wheel Alignment

[fergie]

After getting 2 new tyres fitted at Lexus garage my 3yr old Lexus 300h pulled to the right. Lexus test drove it and said it was ok, so I took it to a tyre specialist, after putting it on their machine he said the wheel alignment was out. Returned it back to Lexus, they tested it on their 'Beissbarth' machine and agreed it was out and adjusted it. 

I find it still pulls to the right, can anyone suggest what could be the problem and what else can I do to rectify it?

[NemesisUK]

The new tyres may well have excessive run-out. Try swapping the tyres side to side and see if that changes it.

Few if any tyre tech check and match the colour banding on new tyres.

[BigChange]

I wasn't sure what run-out is so asked Dr Google and found this response which I found very informative.  Hope it will be of help to Fergie.

All new tyres have visible coloured markings forming a radial band on the tyre. Several of these markings represent destination between the manufacture and the recipient.... Cars like Lexus require specific compounds so the radial markings do indeed allow the process to become visible and act like a bar code.

But there is also important information held within those lines that most consumers and tyre centres are not aware of, in particular the position of the outer line (colour does vary).....

 

Depending on how the belts are positioned during construction imperfections will allow the casing and the tyre tread to 'run out'. This disparity allows the compression to steer the tyre laterally regardless of any actions taken by the driver thus generate a pull.

The manufacture measures the degree of run out and marks the severity onto the tyre by the position of the outer band, typically the colour is Red or Blue, if the colour band is central then the run out is considered 0, if the band is toward the outer edge the tyre will need a 'reactive' partner to belay any pull. So the positions are vital to you and your car.... example

 

Realising this problem then it's easy to conclude if the tyres are symmetrical in tread construction, if the tyres are asymmetrical or directional then the centre will need to find a suitable match with an opposite reactive lateral partner....... Their problem not yours...... 

So next time you buy tyres have a look for the banding and decide what match you want..... remember most centres will have no idea of your request due to misunderstanding and lack of knowledge so you need to be wise. 

[200h]

what tyres did you purchase from lexus ??

as some tyres are marked outside & inside so the tyre has to be fitted

the correct way around i.e. outside visible from the road, the reasons

are probably very similar to the above response, i've had bad experience

with my local lexus so i wouldnt believe everything they say.

the other option would be to tell your dealership that you are going to

have the tracking set elsewhere and would require them to re-imburse

you the cost if its successful as it would prove the dealership

cannot track a car properly.

[fergie]

I  understand all the reasons but I assume Lexus knew what they were doing on the colour markings of the tyres. May I also point out the new tyres were on the rear and the car was perfect over the last 3 years upto the tyre change. 

[NemesisUK]

I'd assume nothing, in my experience tyre fitters know little about the banding and care even less...

[Guest]

I've rarely seen one that could use a torque wrench. I find tyres on the drive to be pretty good.

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[200h]

i know people hate kwikfit but my local branch is good

one person will spin the wheel bolts in by hand then torque them up,

followed by another staff member checking the tightness of the bolts

before the car is returned to you.

 

 

[Guest]

Good to hear. Centre clearly well run and employ motivated people. I don't hate them or the guy doing the work. If he's being lazy he needs a kicking and so does the manager, and if he's not been trained properly the manager needs a kicking. Either way the manager gets a kicking :D

All reputations are earned.



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[Grorge]

I have a Lexus is300h and I’ve just found out by way of a Lexus service that it requires 2 new tyres on the rear , a real shock as the car has only covered 13000 , initial reaction find change them and that’s why I am writing this after reading the posts seems Lexus needs a kick up the xxx as if I was informed of issues then I would have looked for it , are they completely stupid that a car with at least 10000 mls left on them be scrapped. 
Does anyone know the camber setting to rectify the issue?

[Guest]

Your not the only one, I have a 2017 IS300h with 17000 on the clock, recently had a service where Lexus told me I will soon need 2 tyres on the rear due to excessive wear on the inner treads, bit surprised a car with 17000 miles on it has alignment issues.

[ColinBarber]

Do they actually need replacing, not just what the dealer is telling you? There is a slight camber in on the IS so it will wear on the inside but not heavily. Do you drive over the small speed bumps, the type you have to straddle as they can wear the insides?

I'd advise talking to/visiting a competent wheel alignment specialist. Wheels in Motion for example who can set up your vehicle the way you want it, not just against manufacturers settings:

https://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk

 

[Thackeray]

9 hours ago, Grorge said:

I have a Lexus is300h and I’ve just found out by way of a Lexus service that it requires 2 new tyres on the rear

Obviously, the tyres must be changed if they're unsafe. It isn't possible for anyone on the forum to judge without seeing them.

But it's worth bearing in mind that to pass the MOT the outer edges can be bald. Here's what the MOT handbook says:

"The primary grooves of the tread pattern must be at least 1.6mm deep within the central three-quarters of the breadth of tread and around the entire outer circumference of the tyre (see diagram 1).

Either side of the central three-quarters of the tyre can be devoid of tread (‘bald’).

Diagram 1. Primary and secondary grooves in tyre tread pattern

...."

This is copied and pasted from this government webpage.

Personally, I change tyres when they get down to 3mm.

[Bernie Price]

On 8/24/2020 at 10:07 AM, Grorge said:

I have a Lexus is300h and I’ve just found out by way of a Lexus service that it requires 2 new tyres on the rear , a real shock as the car has only covered 13000 , initial reaction find change them and that’s why I am writing this after reading the posts seems Lexus needs a kick up the xxx as if I was informed of issues then I would have looked for it , are they completely stupid that a car with at least 10000 mls left on them be scrapped. 
Does anyone know the camber setting to rectify the issue?

 

[Bernie Price]

What a coincidence...same story but my vehicle has 17000

[Guest]

49 minutes ago, Bernie Price said:

What a coincidence...same story but my vehicle has 17000

Look back on the thread, I had the same problem at 17000, had Hunter 4 wheel alignment carried out(not at Lexus) and problem seems to be sorted, now on 33000