2008 Camry Left Pull - Second Opinion

[2008camrydriver]

Hi, I have a 2008 Camry with the dreaded left pull even after a wheel alignment. It's been an issue since I bough the car in 2018.

I've read a bunch of information and I think I know what the issue is, but just wanted a second opinion before I go further.

Toe is always able to be adjusted properly so is not a concern.

The front Camber is different by half a degree side to side, with less negative camber on the left side which should cause it to pull right. I think it is set up like this to compensate for road crowning so I don't have concerns with this.

However my main concern is the front caster, which is different by a quarter of a degree, with less caster on the left side which I think would be causing the left pull. From my reading this is most likely caused by worn bushings or a bent lower control arm (though I can't see anything obvious myself).

Below are the figures from my last few alignments:

Front:

Parameter

Left Camber Degrees & Minutes

Right Camber Degrees & Minutes

Camber Side to side difference

Left Caster Degrees & Minutes

Right Caster Degrees & Minutes

Caster Side to side difference

Left SAI Degrees & Minutes

Right SAI Degrees & Minutes

SAI Side to side difference

Left Toe mm or degrees

Right Toe mm or degrees

Toe Side to side difference

Target

-0°45'

-0°45'

N/A

2°45'

2°45'

N/A

12°20'

12°20'

N/A

0mm

0mm

N/A

Margin for error (+/-)

+/-0°45'

+/-0°45'

N/A

+/-0°45'

+/-0°45'

N/A

+/-0°45'

+/-0°45'

N/A

+/-1mm

+/-1mm

N/A

2018

Before

-0°54'

-0°19'

N/A

2°29'

2°47'

N/A

12°29'

13°03'

N/A

-1.9mm

2.9mm

N/A

After

-0°54'

-0°18'

0°36'

2°41'

2°53'

0°12'

12°29'

13°02'

0°33'

0mm

0mm

0mm

2019

Before

-0°46'

-0°22'

N/A

2°33'

2°49'

N/A

12°26'

12°54'

N/A

-0.9mm

1.5mm

N/A

After

-0°46'

-0°21'

0°25'

2°44'

2°57'

0°13'

12°26'

12°54'

0°28'

0mm

0mm

0mm

2020

Before

-0°43'

-0°25'

N/A

2°26'

2°52'

N/A

12°32'

12°53'

N/A

-1mm

0.1mm

N/A

After

-0°43'

-0°25'

0°18'

2°20'

2°57'

0°37'

12°31'

12°53'

0°22'

0mm

0mm

0mm

2021

Before

-0°38'

-0°29'

N/A

2°23'

2°42

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

-5.9mm

-1.0mm

N/A

After

-0°35'

-0°33'

0°2'

2°23'

2°42'

0°19'

N/A

N/A

N/A

0.3mm

0.4mm

.1mm

Rear:

Parameter		Left Camber Degrees & Minutes	Right Camber Degrees & Minutes	Camber Side to side difference	Left Toe mm or degrees	Right Toe mm or degrees	Toe Side to side difference
Target		-1°10'	-1°10'	N/A	2mm	2mm	N/A
Margin for error (+/-)		+/-0°45'	+/-0°45'	N/A	+/-1mm	+/-1mm	N/A
2018	Before	-1°35'	-1°41'	N/A	4.3mm	2.5mm	N/A
	After	-1°34'	-1°42'	0°8'	2mm	1.9mm	.1mm
2019	Before	-1°45'	-1°42'	N/A	2.4mm	2.2mm	N/A
	After	-1°45'	-1°42'	0°3'	2.5mm	2.1mm	.4mm
2020	Before	1°40'	-1°50'	N/A	2.7mm	2.8mm	N/A
	After	-1°41'	-1°46'	0°5'	2.2mm	2.2mm	0mm
2021	Before	-1°33'	-1°50'	N/A	1.6mm	1.9mm	N/A
	After	-1°29'	-1°54'	0°25'	1.6mm	2.0mm	.4mm

What are peoples thoughts?

[hayden]

I would put the car on car stands and have a look at the suspension system. Use a pry bar to check and see anything is loose. Check and see if there’s movement on the steering rack while having someone steer for side to side. Also just check your tyres for wear pattern. Hopefully that should tells you your problem!!

[2008camrydriver]

On 5/1/2023 at 6:20 PM, hayden said:

I would put the car on car stands and have a look at the suspension system. Use a pry bar to check and see anything is loose. Check and see if there’s movement on the steering rack while having someone steer for side to side. Also just check your tyres for wear pattern. Hopefully that should tells you your problem!!

Hi, thank you yes that was my next step, I was just asking if my thinking was on the right track.

[ozieagle]

Hi Nate,

 

If this is happening when you brake, check your rear drums / disks. They may need turning, to remove glaze or whatever gunge gets on them.

Herb