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Car is not tracking straight, veers to the right
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rolyexpress
New User
Sep 30, 2019, 8:37 AM
Post #1 of 4
(2044 views)
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Car is not tracking straight, veers to the right
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I bought a new-to-me 2015 Lexus IS350 about two months ago from a private seller in Naples, FL. It's got 84,000 miles and was previously crashed inside of a parking lot (pic of damage attached). When I test drove it for the first time I felt a slight pull to the right. I'm not that mechanic-savvy and probably shouldn't have risked it buying it. I've done some research and don't know what to do next. Having to constantly hold the steering wheel to make sure car is going straight is getting annoying and I'd like to fix this before it gets worse. Your help would be much appreciated.
Problem:
Car pulls to the right
Troubleshooting:
- Get an alignment: I took it to a reputable alignment guy, this is all he does, and told me it was pretty much within spec.
- Put car in lift and check suspension wear: looks good, had a friend look at it too. Also tugged on rims and suspension seemed solid.
- Check if steering wheel is centered: yes, it seems centered. The steering wheel veers to the right of center by a lot all when driving on any road.
- Check for unusual tire wear: tires are very much new and don't seem to show any weird issues.
- Switch two front tires: I did this and even flipped the tires on the rims since they were directional tires. The problem persists, it shouldn't be the tires?
- Check power steering: I switched the car off on a slippery painted surface, the steering wheel is a lot harder to turn to the left than it is to the right. Same behavior as when the car is running, it is harder to turn left.
With the last troubleshoot item, I believe the problem to be mechanical (as another poster explained) and not on the rack. I'm not exactly sure what that means. Where should I move to next? Lexus dealership?
Thanks for reading this far!
Images of alignment report and crash: https://imgur.com/a/nc3d2O5
(This post was edited by rolyexpress on Sep 30, 2019, 8:40 AM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 30, 2019, 8:54 AM
Post #2 of 4
(2034 views)
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Re: Car is not tracking straight, veers to the right
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I've done alignments for many years and looking at your readings, although they are all in spec, they are set to favor a right pull slightly when it really should do that in the opposite direction to counter the pull of the crown of the road.
I doubt the factory built in any adjustment for Caster and Camber but there are numerous aftermarket kits that can be added to create adjustment where there is none.
The car will always favor the side with the most positive Camber and/or the most negative Caster and you have both on the right.
This amount usually isn't a real big deal but if you could reverse those cross measurements, it would improve things.
As for checking the power steering, this is how you do it. With the car off and the wheels straight ahead, start the engine while watching the steering wheel. It should not jump to either direction when the engine starts.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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rolyexpress
New User
Sep 30, 2019, 6:49 PM
Post #3 of 4
(2011 views)
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Re: Car is not tracking straight, veers to the right
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Thanks for the quick reply, I did the power steering test and the steering wheel stayed put. Do you think that after adjusting the alignment that would solve the steering wheel feeling harder to turn to one side also? Thanks again.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 30, 2019, 6:52 PM
Post #4 of 4
(2008 views)
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Re: Car is not tracking straight, veers to the right
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It might. I'm not there to see how bad it is.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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