2004 Camry can't hold an alignment
Cyndrix
09-27-2005, 05:02 PM
I have a 2004 Camry SE that can't seem to hold an alignment and it's destroying tires (I've posted about that topic already).
Toyota is offering to replace 2 of the tires and fix the alignment issue. I have been told, though, that when a relatively new car isn't holding an alignment, that is caused by a major issue that can't be fixed, like a bent frame. I bought this car brand new and it has never been in an accident or had any damage (while in my posession, anyway).
What I'd like to know is if there are any other things that are fixable can be causing the car to not hold an alignment. It seems that it always reverts back to the same off settings, so it's not that it's just not holidng an alignment, it keeps going back the same wrong position. It also does this very quickly. 2 weeks after I got a full alignment, it was already off again.
What all can be causing this problem? What do I need to insist that they check? All they've told me so far is that they'll check the caliper pins, but that sounds like a copout to me. I still have plenty of time left on the warranty, I've only had the car for 18 months and it has 17,000 miles on it.
Thanks.
Toyota is offering to replace 2 of the tires and fix the alignment issue. I have been told, though, that when a relatively new car isn't holding an alignment, that is caused by a major issue that can't be fixed, like a bent frame. I bought this car brand new and it has never been in an accident or had any damage (while in my posession, anyway).
What I'd like to know is if there are any other things that are fixable can be causing the car to not hold an alignment. It seems that it always reverts back to the same off settings, so it's not that it's just not holidng an alignment, it keeps going back the same wrong position. It also does this very quickly. 2 weeks after I got a full alignment, it was already off again.
What all can be causing this problem? What do I need to insist that they check? All they've told me so far is that they'll check the caliper pins, but that sounds like a copout to me. I still have plenty of time left on the warranty, I've only had the car for 18 months and it has 17,000 miles on it.
Thanks.
Daniel M. Dreifus
09-28-2005, 07:04 PM
If it were me, I'd find a good, qualified body shop with modern laser quided type frame straightening jig, and have them check against specs to see if there is a manufacturing defect, and if so, to what extent.
There's not much to align with the Camry strut suspensions. Camber and caster are established by the components, the only real adjustment possible is toe in, which should be stable.
In your case something else is going on, and since the body shop has experience with taking cars from crashes and making them track straight (supposedly) I'd start there, at my own expense to get an objective third party evaluation in writing.
Or perhaps you just got a defective ball joint with too much play, although the dealer service department should have caught that as they're fairly easy to check.
There's not much to align with the Camry strut suspensions. Camber and caster are established by the components, the only real adjustment possible is toe in, which should be stable.
In your case something else is going on, and since the body shop has experience with taking cars from crashes and making them track straight (supposedly) I'd start there, at my own expense to get an objective third party evaluation in writing.
Or perhaps you just got a defective ball joint with too much play, although the dealer service department should have caught that as they're fairly easy to check.
csaxon
09-29-2005, 10:25 AM
There is a TSB ST002-04 (FEB 4, 04) Titled Vehicle Pull/Drift Improvement Procedure for 04 and 05 Camry's. It deals with rotation angles of the front coil spring seats that caused cars to drift left.
It's probably not the problem but may be a contributor.
It's probably not the problem but may be a contributor.
infantsam
10-05-2005, 11:51 AM
I had the same problem - they rotated the spring mounts - then replaced the springs. It only kind of fixed it. Let me guess - you pull left?
I had the regional rep out and all that - big PIA. Get the springs replaced under the TSB. It still seems to pull left - but thats all they would do.
Whatever you do - if you are in jersey don't go to Morristown Toyota- the stench of the scum working there is overwhelming.
I had the regional rep out and all that - big PIA. Get the springs replaced under the TSB. It still seems to pull left - but thats all they would do.
Whatever you do - if you are in jersey don't go to Morristown Toyota- the stench of the scum working there is overwhelming.
ron y
10-06-2005, 09:27 AM
My alignment problem may be different from yours but my left front tire was wearing on the inside due to the toe in being out of spec. The shop I used had to install a kit to allow more adjustment to the toe in since the factory parts could not be adjusted correctly. The right side was also out of spec but not to the same degree. I was not experiencing any drifting problems.
Automotive Network, Inc., Copyright ©2025