2018 Tundra Pulling Right

Hey everyone, need some guidance here. I just bought my truck (2018 double cab, 4x4, limited) on December 14th, 2024 as a gold certified preowned in San Bernardino, CA.

My truck consistently pulls to the right if I take my hand off the wheel. When I test drove the vehicle, the salesman instructed me to only drive about 1/2 mile around the dealer and I did not have ample time to notice the pull. I have been back to the dealer twice now and they have aligned it 3 times. Still no dice, even after their tech verified that it drove straight. When I got onto the freeway, I noticed immediately that the right hand pull was still present.

It almost feels as if there is a weakness in the steering system while the wheel is dead straight and when I release my hand, the steering wheel pulls to the right a degree or two.

During my last visit, I let them inspect the truck over a few day period (also have the flex fuel issue with cold starts, but that is a discussion for another thread) and they stated that the power steering rack was in good condition.

I am going to switch the front tires this weekend to see if I experiencing the pull in reverse, indicating a tire issue.

Here are my questions-

-what could be causing this?

-since the dealer sold it to me as a certified vehicle with a 100+ point inspection (point 19 states that the vehicle drives/tracks straight on level ground), do I have a claim for them to rectify this issue if it means more than just alignment.

Thanks!

 

I want to say yes, but if they're like 2/3 of the dealers I've done business with they will find a way to weasel out of it. Hopefully a tire rotation remedies it and they get you squared away nice and easy like.
Edit: I was taught and I believe the specs do give a slight pull to the right, so if you fall asleep at the wheel or whatever it pulls you off the road and not into oncoming traffic. Have you tried driving right down the middle of the road or on the left to see if the crown of the road is causing it?

 

Thanks for the reply @Tundra family !

Getting extreme weasel vibes from this dealer. Such a shame. They should really just fix the issue so they don’t have to hear from me any more haha

 

It's craptastic, we drop big coin on these trucks and a service agreement and then they don't even honor what they sell.

 

Why the negative camber? What am I missing? Pretty sure spec is positive.

ETA I understand there is a range - but the middle of the range is positive and if you’re having continuous problems I’d shoot for +.1-.5

 

Could the discrepancy is caster be causing the pull maybe? Read that I would need more caster to combat the pull (assuming my suspension and tires are in check)

 

Air pressure differences in front tires can induce a pull. So can bad suspension or steering components and a defective tire can have a radial pull.

dealers generally don't do a good job with alignment. It is much more of an art vs following steps- someone that knows what they are doing can make it feel like a different truck.

Use a local shop, someplace that specializes in front ends, alignments. Most cities, unless super small, will have such shops around.

Get that done first and report back. Next step would be to rotate tires and look for worn components. But, tundras are finicky with alignment, wheel balance and tire pressure- any of those being off can make differences you can feel.

 

Thanks @frichco228

I’m going to rotate the tires and inspect my suspension for excessive play/wear tomorrow.

I’ll report back with my findings

 

A car will always pull to the side with less caster. The greater the difference from the other side, the harder it pulls. Most roads are crowned and tend to naturally pull a vehicle to the side of the crowm, which usually means to the right in America . Most competent techs will set at 0 cross caster or will make the left side a bit less to offset the road crown pulling. Sadly Toyota only specifies ranges for caster without specifying cross caster limits. So technically the tech got it in spec even though that translates to poor handling. Either he doesn’t understand the cross caster relationship or is just lazy. In most cases with alignment, it is the former.

while the camber is in spec, it should really be 0 - +.2, else you will get edge wear on your tires. Negative camber is almost never used on trucks. Sadly, -.3 is in spec, though I believe it is the extreme end of the range. You should always target the center of the range.

 

Tires and suspension issues rarely cause pulling. If you want to look at something other than alignment, look for brake pads dragging or a warped rotor.

 

Yeah, I'm wondering if after my inspection of the components, I request an alignment shop adjust my caster. the tires are new hwy tires, should be good to go.

 

I bet you have froze cam bolts. The numbers are within Toyota specs, so they send the truck down the road.

 

I thought I will be doing tons of adjustments on all of my vehicles since I've had enough of these alignment crooks who can't do anything but collect banknotes, and cried once for a cool 4x4 alignment rig:



The reality: aligned each once only, taking my time, and haven't had any problems since then. The oldest that I own since 2012 has never drove that good. I get compliments from everyone sitting behind its steering wheel, how awesome it handles. Before my own alignment it used to be all over the road.

 

Where does one find that tool?^

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/115231838861

 

I call BS. You'll need to prove it... by aligning mine.

 

Can confirm, or we set toe and send it.

 

This is a valid check. I've been in a few vehicles that had a slight pull when driving for it to be exacerbated when braking.

Heck, my truck now will drive straight as an arrow on the road. But coming to a stop at a light, there is a slight pull to the right and minor pulse from the rotor. I am positive the pins need to be regreased.

Road surface will also cause an effect. Most roads my truck is dead straight, but some asphalt roads cause a rightward pull.

 

My tundra was purchased used with MT tires and a spacer lift. Pull to the right. Alignment x2, everything was within spec.

months later …

same truck, now on Kings and brand new rims and tires (Toyo AT3), new alignment….

slightest pull to the right. I give up.

 

Not sure if you already checked it out but I suggest getting your right rear wheel bearing checked. If it’s defective, could be pulling you to the right.

 

Small update…had a screw in my front right tire and had Toyota replace it (I got a year of tire coverage when I bought the truck).
Still pulls right. Arguably worse. Or maybe I’m just hyper focused on it.

Either way, I’m going to get in touch with Toyota again and have the service manager drive in the truck with me.

 

Sorry to hear that. I hope you can get it resolved soon!

 

When I have time, I’ll take it in to have the techs listen to my wheel bearings. Thank you!

 

You have to tell them to reverse that caster. Shoot for the 0.5 higher on the right side, not the left. That will definitely help a right pull.

 

@ZPhilip agreed. I have an appointment on this upcoming Saturday to have the Toyota tech ride with me and fix the alignment. Seems weird/incompetent why they would have 0.5 more caster on the left when I stated the truck pulls right .

With all the money I’ve spent in fuel to go to the stealership, I could’ve just went to a knowledgeable alignment shop, but I feel a sense of duty to make Toyota fix this problem “for free”. Haha

 

Spot on answer. I’m a just retired Toyota Technician who specialized in alignments. I would always use caster to correct a pull because it doesn’t cause tire wear.

 

Hey all, little update here - recently installed Bilstein 6112's, 5160's and Bilstein UCAs. Also, I slapped some 275/70/18 Nitto TerraGrappler G3's on. Have some Alcan 1" shackles ready to go on to give it some rake and compensate for when I get a shell o the bed. Got it aligned at a local suspension shop and they did a great job. Caster just above 4 degrees. Truck drives like it's on rails.