2000 Camry V-6 LE abnormal tire wear

[zzyzzx2]

Originally Posted by hotpursuit

Outer tie rod ends, both lower ball joints, and all 4 quick struts have been replaced. Axles and inner tie rod ends are original. I will try to post a copy of my most recent alignment printout.

Axles don't last that long. Even if the boots aren't split, they are worn out and causing vibration when driving down the highway.

[Jerry80871852]

Originally Posted by zzyzzx2

I have had that happen. When I tried to explain that to the person doing the alignment (a Mexican) they explained that the machine doesn't do that. I had to bring the car back when they had a real mechanic to do the steering wheel centering.

Years back I had it happen. Before the aliment, it was almost perfect, afterwards, it was about 1/4 off.

It was at a Chevy house. afterwards I 1st went to the man that did it, he acted as if I was nuts. Them I went to the service manger, he was not happy, & quickly he had the problem fixed, them taking it for a test drive. Them told me, it seems to steer perfectly, yet if you have any problem, get back to me, I will take care of it. Thankfully it was A OK!

Some people are just dense!

[zzyzzx2]

Originally Posted by Jerry80871852

Years back I had it happen. Before the aliment, it was almost perfect, afterwards, it was about 1/4 off.

It was at a Chevy house. afterwards I 1st went to the man that did it, he acted as if I was nuts. Them I went to the service manger, he was not happy, & quickly he had the problem fixed, them taking it for a test drive. Them told me, it seems to steer perfectly, yet if you have any problem, get back to me, I will take care of it. Thankfully it was A OK!

Some people are just dense!

They might be stupid, but I'm more inclined to think lazy. I even had my factory service manual handy which shows how centering the steering wheel is part of an alignment.

[Jerry80871852]

Has this car ever been in a bad wreck warping its body or uni-frame, or whatever they call it nowadays? If so that might explain a proper aliment, yet still wearing tires & pulling to one side.

[hotpursuit]

The car has never been in a wreck. It was purchased new by my dad and was given to me when he got a new car.

[Jerry80871852]

Originally Posted by hotpursuit

The car has never been in a wreck. It was purchased new by my dad and was given to me when he got a new car.

Just a thought, my daughters car recently got hit quiet hard in a wreck, I told her she better get everything checked out, for some overlook the body & or frame being warped.

Glad yours has not.

[hotpursuit]

Here are the before & after alignment settings from the most recent alignment. It was out of spec due to the replacement of suspension parts (tie rod ends, ball joints, etc). I have the alignment readings from one other alignment that I will try to get posted as soon as I find it.


http://i1073.photobucket.com/albums/...Alignment4.jpg

[hotpursuit]

Two of the General Altimax HPs finally wore out with 44,000 miles on them (they are a 55,000 mile tire). I bought a couple of slightly used Yokohama Avid S tires and had them mounted on the front. PULL IS GONE!

I replaced the rear tires with a couple of used Firestones. Still drives good.

Tire wear is now ok on all four tires.

I am stunned that I had 10 different tires that pulled to the left (1 set of Toyo Spectrums, 1 set of General Altimax HPs and 2 Wilson tires). Is it possible that the Toyos and Generals, which are performance tires, have greater rolling resistance and therefore create a pull? The car was probably engineered with common all-season radials in mind. Two bad sets of tires??? Anyone have any theories?

[Brian R.]

It might have been that one of your wheels had a problem which prevented that tire from mounting correctly or lost air pressure much faster than the others (something in the bead?). Anyway, it may have resolved itself. Good luck.