Steering Not Aligned Properly

[autobahn]

I've been doing some long runs up and down a motorway over the last couple of weeks and i've noticed that my LS430 steering wheel has to be held slightly to the right to keep the car in a straight line. With the steering level the car goes to the left quite a bit. Obviously this isn't right and steering alignment was one of the things I gave in writing to the dealer to check before I picked the car up. I was verbally told that it was done at collection time but there wasn't a before and after printout even though I had requested one.

I called the dealer today and was told that this wouldn't be covered under warranty. The service advisor suggested I speak to the salesman to see if sales would cover the costs but the salesman has suddenly become elusive and impossible to contact now.

I'm going to get the tracking checked and rectified at my own cost tomorrow and will get before and after printouts. Do I have recourse to complain to the Lexus dealer if it emerges that the tracking was out and I explicitly asked for it to be checked prior to collecting my car?

[steve2006]

Hi,

Difficult one to address as there are a few things they could argue,how long have you had the car? Has this happened since you bought it or started after? The tracking can be knocked out by something as simple as a kerb knock, mounting a kerb or striking road debris.

Is there any abnormal wear on the tyres?

What ever the case is it worth the chasing for around £30.00

[LeeC]

My LS400 pulls ever so slightly to the left, never had the tracking checked as just assume its due to the camber of the road? I think all the cars I have had have done this.

[autobahn]

My problem is that I have the steering wheel turned to the right to keep the car straight at speed! It definitely hasn't been kerbed by me.

But I agree with Steve that I probably haven't got any comeback with the dealer. I'll just get it checked independently.

[Feckless Mancunian]

"i've noticed that my LS430 steering wheel has to be held slightly to the right to keep the car in a straight line"

That's interesting, my LS430 is exactly the same, it's probably as much as ten degrees off. My independent guy says it isn't a problem to put right but I'm curious as to why it's like that. I didn't question it when I bought it because mine's a stolen (with keys) recovered and I paid a rock-bottom price for it but it is annoying and does spoil the driving experience somewhat.

[Ifty]

I have had my car now for about 17 days and have done 1800 miles on it. Most is on motorways and I do not have this problem. I can let go of the steering (not advised)at 70mph and the car will just go straight, no turning left or right.

I believe it is a traking issue and can cost anything from £25 to £40. Dealers as always may charge more.

Regards

Ifty

[Chris Skelton]

Go and visit Tony Bones in Chesham and get a whole car set-up check. It makes sense to have the car PROPERLY balanced (that'll be a Fiver, Tony!)

www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk

Worked for me!

[sir john]

".......and steering alignment was one of the things I gave in writing to the dealer to check before I picked the car up."

If you gave the dealer your request in writing and, I assume, you were having soemthing done that they have charged you for, maybe you do have a case against them.

As for before and after printouts and the orientation of the steering wheel: After mi LS was rearended i insisted on a full 4 wheel tracking done. Got a printout back showing the alignment of all wheels before and after.

When it was done it ran true with the steering wheel bob on centre.

[autobahn]

The dealer has reluctantly agreed to have the tracking checked free of charge for me. It's kind of ironic as a pre-condition for me purchasing the car from them was to have the steering alignment done and before and after printouts provided.

I'm happy to get it done myself and pay for it but there's a principle at stake here. The dealer should have sorted the issue out for me prior to collection. On all my previous cars (including brand new cars) i've always had the wheel alignment carried out at my cost a week or two after collecting the car by a specialist wheel alignment shop (using laser Hunter kit). In this situation I ensured that a full wheel alignment check and remediation was a pre-condition of purchasing the car, which the dealer did agree to via email. I guess I should have pushed the dealer to provide me with the paperwork for the wheel alignment when I collected the car but I took his verbal assurance that it had been done as good enough.

[SteveLS400]

I guess I should have pushed the dealer to provide me with the paperwork for the wheel alignment when I collected the car but I took his verbal assurance that it had been done as good enough.

You would be too excited to remember everything - getting in and driving was all that mattered! Anyway, good result for now.

[Nitmoi]

It could be road camber. Try on a flat road hands off the wheel. Also on clear road try stopping without hands on wheel see if it pulls over. These tests will suggest whether there is a problem.

I understand that tracking for £40 is not an option as it is called geometry which relates to all wheels hence a minimum of £100 for a set up. Use a penetrating spray such as "nut cracker" about a week before you take it in and their set up will go more easily.

[chrisfs]

I've been doing some long runs up and down a motorway over the last couple of weeks and i've noticed that my LS430 steering wheel has to be held slightly to the right to keep the car in a straight line. With the steering level the car goes to the left quite a bit.

I have the same experience with my 430. I have had it for 3 years now and have mentioned it a number of times: when being serviced, when paying to have the tracking and alignment checked, and have even been WIM'd (wheels in motion).

No one has ever been able to identify the source of the problem or cure it and it still does it. On a long motorway run I can tell I am having to exert some pressure to keep the wheel slightly pointing right in order to have the car go straight!

[autobahn]

All being (hopefully) sorted tomorrow by my dealer without charge as wheel alignment with supporting documentation was a pre-condition of me purchasing the car. I should be able to report back on Thursday whether or not it's a 'characteristic' of the LS430 or something that can be sorted out with a wheel alignment.

[Swindon Andy]

I've been doing some long runs up and down a motorway over the last couple of weeks and i've noticed that my LS430 steering wheel has to be held slightly to the right to keep the car in a straight line. With the steering level the car goes to the left quite a bit.

I have the same experience with my 430. I have had it for 3 years now and have mentioned it a number of times: when being serviced, when paying to have the tracking and alignment checked, and have even been WIM'd (wheels in motion).

No one has ever been able to identify the source of the problem or cure it and it still does it. On a long motorway run I can tell I am having to exert some pressure to keep the wheel slightly pointing right in order to have the car go straight!

Same here.

[JellyBean]

No one has ever been able to identify the source of the problem or cure it and it still does it.

My wife's former car was a Golf, bought new. And she ran it to over 100,000 miles. Throughout this time it pulled to the left - despite all manner of attempts to find cause and cure it. Very strange.

I do not believe tracking maladjustment will make a car pull one way or the other, BTW.

[autobahn]

All fixed now. Steering wheel is level when driving in a straight line. Car collected, fixed, washed and returned by my Lexus dealer.

[chrisfs]

All fixed now. Steering wheel is level when driving in a straight line. Car collected, fixed, washed and returned by my Lexus dealer.

Glad they were able to sort it for you. Did they say what the problem was, and what did they do fix it?

[autobahn]

The service manager simply said that the steering/wheel alignment was slightly out and a wheel alignment was carried out to correct the problem.