Repair Procedure
IMPORTANT NOTICE
BEFORE repairing a 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.
Troubleshooting

First determine why the vehicle is pulling to one side and then decide which repairs to make.
1. Perform the following checks and correct as necessary:
A. Check the tires for size, wear, and proper inflation pressure.
B. Check the vehicle for conditions that could cause pulling such as collision damage,
impact damage to wheels or tires, bent or worn suspension or steering parts, aftermarket
parts, vehicle modifications, etc.
NOTE
Tilting of the vehicle produces a left/right difference in the camber and caster and can cause
vehicle pulling to one side.

C. Check the brakes for dragging.

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T-SB-0063-20

June 23, 2020

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Vehicle Pull, Steering Wheel Off Center, and Alignment Best Practices
Repair Procedure (continued)
Troubleshooting (continued)

2. Confirm problem symptoms.
A. With the customer accompanying you, drive the vehicle to confirm if the customer’s
complaint involves vehicle pulling to one side or an off-center steering wheel.
B. Is the problem an off-center steering wheel?

YES — Go to the Steering Wheel Off Center Adjustment subsection.

NO — Continue to step 3.

3. Decide if vehicle pulling is due to wheel alignment or tires.
A. Switch the left and right front tires (if the tires are non-unidirectional).
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.

Figure 6. Original Tire Positions

1

z
2

z

1

Vehicle Pulling Direction (Right)

2

Lateral Force by Conicity

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June 23, 2020

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Vehicle Pull, Steering Wheel Off Center, and Alignment Best Practices

Repair Procedure (continued)
Troubleshooting (continued)


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

Figure 7. Tires Switched

1
2

z

z

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.
B. Conduct a road test to check whether the direction that the vehicle pulls has changed.
Table 1.
SYMPTOM

PROBABLE CAUSE

Vehicle Pulling Is Eliminated
Vehicle Pulling Direction
Is Reversed
No Change in the Vehicle
Pulling Condition

Tire Conicity

Front Wheel Alignment

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CORRECTIVE ACTION

The Repair Procedure is Complete,
Vehicle Pulling is Caused by Tire Conicity
Continue to the Vehicle Pulling Caused by
Tire Conicity Subsection
Go to the Vehicle Pulling Caused
by Wheel Alignment Subsection

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Vehicle Pull, Steering Wheel Off Center, and Alignment Best Practices
Repair Procedure (continued)
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.
NOTE
An indication of tire conicity as a cause: When the front tires are switched, the pulling direction changes.

1. Remove the front left tire from the wheel and reverse the tire, if the tire is not unidirectional.
Then, perform a road test and check for changes 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 below is an example of the left tire reversed.

A. If the vehicle pulls in the same direction, go to step 2.
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 8. Original Tire Positions

1

Figure 9. Left Tire Reverse Installation

1

z
2

2

3

z

3

z

z

z

z

4

z

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)

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T-SB-0063-20

June 23, 2020

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Vehicle Pull, Steering Wheel Off Center, and Alignment Best Practices

Repair Procedure (continued)
Vehicle Pulling Caused by Tire Conicity (continued)

B. If the vehicle pulls in the opposite direction, go to step 2.
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 10. Original Tire Positions

1

Figure 11. Left Tire Reverse Installation

1

z
2

2

3

z

3

z

z

z

z

4

z

1

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)

C. Has the vehicle pull been eliminated?

YES — The 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.

NO — Continue to step 2.
2. Rotate the LARGER lateral force front tire with the rear tire and check the change in the
vehicle pulling if the front and rear wheel and tire assemblies are the same size.
NOTE
By shifting the front tire with the larger lateral force to the rear, the vehicle pulling level is
usually reduced.

Has the vehicle pull been eliminated?

YES — The repair is now complete.

NO — Continue to the Vehicle Pulling Caused by Wheel Alignment subsection.

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T-SB-0063-20

June 23, 2020

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Vehicle Pull, Steering Wheel Off Center, and Alignment Best Practices
Repair Procedure (continued)
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 12.
Vehicle Pulling to One Side

Check Front Wheel Alignment

Not Within Specification

Within Specification

Adjust Front Wheel Alignment

Road Test

Vehicle Does Not Pull,
Repair is Now Complete

Vehicle Still Pulls

Adjust Cross Camber to Eliminate Vehicle Pulling

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T-SB-0063-20

June 23, 2020

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Vehicle Pull, Steering Wheel Off Center, and Alignment Best Practices
Repair Procedure (continued)
Vehicle Pulling Caused by Wheel Alignment (continued)

1. Adjust cross camber to eliminate vehicle pulling.
HINT
If the tires are placed in the same 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.
Table 2.
WHEN THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT

WHEN THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE 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.
AFTER the camber has been adjusted, inspect the toe-in.
The method of camber adjustment differs for different models, so please refer to the applicable
model and model year Repair Manual. Steps 2 – 10 are samples from the Sienna Repair Manual.

2. Remove the front wheels and ABS speed sensor clamp.
3. Remove the two nuts on the lower side of the
shock absorber.

Figure 13.

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June 23, 2020

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Vehicle Pull, Steering Wheel Off Center, and Alignment Best Practices
Repair Procedure (continued)
Vehicle Pulling Caused by Wheel Alignment (continued)

4. Coat the threads of the nuts with engine oil.
5. Temporarily install the two nuts.
6. Adjust the camber by pushing or pulling the
lower side of the shock absorber in the
direction in which the camber adjustment
is required.

Figure 14.

7. Tighten the nuts.
Torque: 210 N*m (2150 kgf*cm, 155 ft*lbf)
8. Install the front wheels.
Torque: 104 N*m (1050 kgf*cm, 77 ft*lbf)

1

z

1

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Nuts

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June 23, 2020

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Vehicle Pull, Steering Wheel Off Center, and Alignment Best Practices
Repair Procedure (continued)
Vehicle Pulling Caused by Wheel Alignment (continued)

9. 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