QuestionHey Ted,
I purchased a 2005 Toyota 4Runner SR4 4x4 and began to notice a pull to the right at highway speeds (50 to 60 mph) and excessive play with the steering wheel.
Upon the first oil change (@ 4500 miles) I inquired about getting the problem checked out. I went to the original dealership from which I purchased the vehicle. The conclusion the technician came to was that my vehicle required a wheel balance. No charge was applied to me because of the warranty.
Driving home, the same problem existed. Upon returning to the same dealership, they then told me a wheel alignment had to be performed on the vehicle. No charge again but driving home I had the same problem.
I researched wheel alignments and found that Hunter Engineering has a wheel alignment machine called the GPS9700 and StraightTrak LFM. Therefore, I went to the Toyota Dealership near me with both machines.
I waited for the diagnosis of the vehicle from 8:00 am until 11:35 am. The Service Advisor told me the vehicle required another wheel alignment and that the technicians spent a lot of time doing so. Not only did they rotate the tires but they also rotated the spare.
Relieved, I began to drive home and notice the problem still existed. I returned and the Service Advisor had me drive with the Service Manager. The Service Manager test drove the vehicle with me and noticed the problem of the car. The best answer he could give was to have a Toyota Field Specialist come out and inspect the vehicle.
The Toyota Field Specialist's results was that my vehicle "drifts" and that it was a normal characteristic of the vehicle. In no way do I believe this since I drove a friends 2005 Toyota 4Runner and I can not even touch the steering wheel at highway speeds and the vehicle remains going straight.
Specifically, I have to hold the steering wheel at 11:00 pm (if the vehicle was like a clock-face) to make the vehicle drive straight on highway roads (non-curving, straight ahead) and crowning of the road is not siginificant.
I took the vehicle for a second opinion at a third party mechanic who made the statement that the vehicle could be fixed and this was not a normal condition for the vehicle. Even though the vehicle is within specifications.
I also have found two interesting bits of information regarding Toyota SUVs and the 2005 Toyota 4Runner. An article dated May 18, 2005 of a Toyota recall of over more than 750,000 SUVs. The article explains that Toyota SUVs have a “surface of a ball joint which connects to the front suspension may have been scratched when it was manufactured, which could lead to wear and tear over time”.
In addition, such condition can lead “drivers to exert more effort when steering, allow the vehicle to drift and increase the amount of noise from the suspension”. While the recall does not reflect my model year, one can make a claim that a similarity exists between those vehicle symptoms and my vehicle.
Next, the National Highway Safety Traffic Administration provided an interesting general summary dated July 28, 2005 regarding 2005 Toyota 4Runners. Specifically, a Technical Services Bulletin was issued regarding steering. The general summary explains “steering flutter field-fix procedure. Some customers may experience a steering flutter condition while driving at highway speeds.
I also began taking my Toyota 4Runner to another/closer dealership for scheduled
maintenance. The first dealership took the time to check-off everything in my schedule of maintenance book and stamp it with the Toyota seal of approval for $28.00
The dealership I took it two for the 10,000 servicing, I informed them I needed an oil change.They did not check off anything like the previous dealership did. Does that mean all they did was change the oil or was everything included according to the manual except they did not check it? In addition, the service manager just stamped it and wrote "oil change"
beneath the 10,000 list.
Finally, she offered a $113.00 service which included 'lookin' at the brakes and rotating the tires.
Is this something worth doing or is it just a way to get money? I was also if there was an appropriate way to request another 'service manager'. She answers none of my questions or seems to care about my concerns.
Thank you for your time.
AnswerThank you for all that information but if the TFS determined that the condition is within normal specifications there is nothing I can add.
As you said, the SSC50J ball joint replacement does not affect your model.
Did the "third party" mechanic make any recommendations since they said the problem could be fixed, what were you told that it would take to fix it?
It seems I have more questions than answers,sorry but did you buy the 4-Runner new from the dealer or somewhere else, private party or used car lot?
Finally, you didn't ask me a specific question, I can't help with what happens at the dealership and how you were treated and all that, each dealer has it's own policies and maintenance procedures depending on where you live, you can just read your owner's manual and follow it's maintenance directions exactly.
