IMPORTANT NOTICE
Before repairing vehicle pulling to one side, it is necessary to clearly identify the cause of the
pulling condition. Frequently, the cause of the vehicle pulling to one side is diagnosed as wheel
alignment. However, the actual cause may be lateral force generated by the tires. Performing wheel
alignment when tire force is the cause could result in the wheel alignment being set at a value
outside of specifications. This would then cause other problems such as uneven tire wear, etc.

1. Troubleshooting
First determine whether vehicle pulling to one side is caused by a wheel alignment problem or
tire characteristics, then decide which repairs to make.
A. Perform the following checks and correct as necessary.
(1) Check tires for size, wear and for proper inflation pressure.
(2) Check whether the vehicle is noticeably tilted backward/forward or left/right.
NOTE
Tilting of the vehicle produces a left-right difference in the camber and caster and
can cause vehicle pulling to one side.

(3) Check brakes for dragging.
B. Confirm problem symptoms.
With the customer accompanying you, drive the vehicle to confirm if the customer’s complaint
involves vehicle pulling to one side or steering wheel off center.
If the problem is steering wheel off center, refer to the Repair Manual for the adjustment
procedure. For 2002 model year vehicles only, refer to Service Bulletin No. ST003-01,
“Steering Wheel Off Center Adjustment Procedure”. Also check the direction of vehicle
pulling and the extent of pulling.
C. Decide if vehicle pulling is due to wheel alignment or tires.
(1) Switch the left and right front tires (if the tires are non-unidirectional).
(2) Conduct a drive test to check whether the direction that the vehicle pulls has changed.
SYMPTOM

PROBABLE CAUSE

CORRECTIVE ACTION

No Change in Vehicle
Pulling Condition

Front Wheel Alignment

Proceed to Repair Procedure Step 2.
Vehicle Pulling Caused by Wheel Alignment

Vehicle Pulling Eliminated

Tire Conicity

Repair Complete.
Vehicle Pulling Caused by Tire Conicity

Vehicle Pulling Direction
Is Reversed

Tire Conicity

Proceed to Repair Procedure Step 3.
Vehicle Pulling Caused by Tire Conicity

© 2013 Toyota Motor Sales, USA

T-SB-0391-08

Rev1

December 24, 2008

Page 10 of 16

Repair Manual Supplement: Vehicle Pulling to One Side

Repair Procedure (Continued)

Helpful hints to determine cause of vehicle pulling:
• The direction of lateral force from tire conicity becomes reversed when the left and
right tires are switched. Therefore, if the pulling direction changes when the tires are
switched, it can be concluded that vehicle pulling is caused by tire conicity.
• The vehicle is pulled to the right by the
lateral force exerted to the right.

• The direction of the tires which exerted
lateral force to the right has been
changed, so the tires now exert lateral
force to the left and the vehicle now pulls
to the left.

Figure 6. Original Tire Positions

1

Vehicle Pulling Direction (Right)

2

Lateral Force by Conicity

Figure 7. Tires Switched

1

Vehicle Pulling Direction (Left)

2

Lateral Force by Conicity

• If the pulling direction does not change after the front tires are switched, the cause of
vehicle pulling is not tire conicity. In this case, the likely cause is a front wheel alignment
condition.

© 2013 Toyota Motor Sales, USA

T-SB-0391-08

Rev1

December 24, 2008

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Repair Manual Supplement: Vehicle Pulling to One Side

Repair Procedure (Continued)

2. Vehicle Pulling Caused by Wheel Alignment.
When it is determined by troubleshooting that the vehicle pulling to one side is caused by wheel
alignment, perform repairs according to the following procedure.
Figure 8.

WHEN VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT

WHEN VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT

Increase right front camber and decrease left front
camber until vehicle pulling is eliminated

Increase left front camber and decrease right front
camber until vehicle pulling is eliminated

NOTE
• Keep the cross camber within 1◦ or less.
• Keep the camber of each wheel within specifications (+/–45’ of center value).
• If adjustment exceeds the specifications, uneven tire wear will result.

© 2013 Toyota Motor Sales, USA

Rev1

T-SB-0391-08

December 24, 2008

Page 12 of 16

Repair Manual Supplement: Vehicle Pulling to One Side

Repair Procedure (Continued)

3. Vehicle Pulling Caused by Tire Conicity.
When it is determined by troubleshooting that the vehicle pulling to one side is caused by tire
conicity, perform repairs according to the following procedures.
Indication of Tire Conicity as a Cause:
When the front tires are switched, the pulling direction changes. Proceed to step 3A below.

A. Remove the front left tire from the wheel and reverse the tire. Then perform a road test and
check for change in the pulling direction.
HINT
By performing this operation, it can be checked whether the left or right tire exerts a
stronger lateral force. Either tire can be reversed. Shown here is an example of the left
tire reversed.
If Vehicle Pulls in the Same Direction: Go to step 3B.
The lateral force generated by the right front tire is greater than the left tire, so the vehicle is pulling
due to the lateral force of the right tire.
Figure 9. Original Tire Positions

Figure 10. Left Tire Reverse Installation

1

Vehicle Pulling Direction

1

Vehicle Pulling Direction (Same Direction)

2

Lateral Force by Conicity (Smaller)

2

Reversed

3

Lateral Force by Conicity (Larger)

3

Lateral Force by Conicity (Smaller)

4

Lateral Force by Conicity (Larger)

© 2013 Toyota Motor Sales, USA

Rev1

T-SB-0391-08

December 24, 2008

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Repair Manual Supplement: Vehicle Pulling to One Side

Repair Procedure (Continued)
If Vehicle Pulls in the Opposite Direction: Go to step 3B.
The lateral force generated by the left front tire is greater than the right tire, so the vehicle is pulling
due to the lateral force of the left tire.
Figure 11. Original Tire Positions

Figure 12. Left Tire Reverse Installation

Vehicle Pulling Direction

1

Vehicle Pulling Direction (Opposite Direction)

2

Lateral Force by Conicity (Larger)

2

Reversed

3

Lateral Force by Conicity (Smaller)

3

Lateral Force by Conicity (Larger)

4

Lateral Force by Conicity (Smaller)

1

If Vehicle Pull Is Eliminated: Repair Is Now Complete.

The lateral force generated by the left and right front tires is virtually the same, so the
lateral force is neutralized and the vehicle travels straight ahead. The repair operation
is now completed.
B. Rotate the larger lateral force front tire with the rear tire and check the change in the
vehicle pulling.
NOTE
By shifting the front tire with the larger lateral force to the rear, the vehicle pulling level
is usually reduced.

If Vehicle Is Still Pulling: Go to step 3C.

If Vehicle Pull Is Eliminated: Repair Is Now Complete.

© 2013 Toyota Motor Sales, USA

Rev1

T-SB-0391-08

December 24, 2008

Page 14 of 16

Repair Manual Supplement: Vehicle Pulling to One Side

Repair Procedure (Continued)

C. Adjust cross camber to eliminate vehicle pulling.
HINT
If the tires are placed in the positions they were in during tire rotation when the least
amount of vehicle pulling occurred, wheel alignment can be performed with a minimal
amount of adjustment.
WHEN VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT

WHEN VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT

Increase right front camber and decrease left
front camber until vehicle pulling is eliminated

Increase left front camber and decrease right
front camber until vehicle pulling is eliminated

NOTE
• Keep the cross camber within 1◦ or less.
• Keep the camber of each wheel within specifications (+/–45’ of center value).
• If adjustment exceeds the specifications, uneven tire wear will result.

4. Camber Adjustment Method.
NOTE
• After the camber has been adjusted, inspect the toe-in.
• The method of camber adjustment differs for different models, so please refer to the
Repair Manual of the vehicle involved. (The information below are samples from the
Sienna Repair Manual.)

A. Remove the front wheels and ABS speed
sensor clamp.

Figure 13.

© 2013 Toyota Motor Sales, USA

Rev1

T-SB-0391-08

December 24, 2008

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Repair Manual Supplement: Vehicle Pulling to One Side

Repair Procedure (Continued)

B. Remove the two nuts on the lower side of the
shock absorber.

Figure 14.

1

Nuts

C. Coat the threads of the nuts with engine oil.
D. Temporarily install the two nuts.
E. Adjust the camber by pushing or pulling the lower side of the shock absorber in the direction
in which the camber adjustment is required.
F. Tighten the nuts.
Torque: 210 N*m (2150 kgf*cm, 155 ft*lbf)

G. Install the front wheels.
Torque: 104 N*m (1050 kgf*cm, 77 ft*lbf)

© 2013 Toyota Motor Sales, USA

Rev1

T-SB-0391-08

December 24, 2008

Page 16 of 16

Repair Manual Supplement: Vehicle Pulling to One Side

Repair Procedure (Continued)

H. Check the camber.
NOTE
Adjusting value for the set bolts is 6’ – 30’ (0.1◦ – 0.5◦). When making an adjustment of
more than 45’, replace the upper and lower steering knuckle set bolts with the adjusting
bolts. If the camber is NOT within the specification, use the table shown to estimate how
much additional camber adjustment will be required, and select the appropriate camber
adjusting bolt.
SET BOLT

ADJUSTING BOLT
1 DOT

ADJUSTING VALUE

1

15’

X

30’

X

45’

X

◦

1 00’

2

1

2 DOTS

2

1

3 DOTS

2

1

2

X
X
X
X

1◦15’

X
X

◦

X
X

1 30’

X

I. Follow steps 4A through 4H again. Between steps 4B and 4C, exchange one or two selected
bolts.
HINT
When exchanging the two bolts, exchange one bolt at a time.

If Vehicle Pull Is Eliminated: Repair Is Now Complete.

© 2013 Toyota Motor Sales, USA