Why does my car not drive strait/smoother?

Tiny
ERNIEG89
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 TOYOTA CAMRY
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 135,902 MILES
So, for weeks now my car goes mostly left. Slightly. The bumps I hit move my wheel, so I know I needed some work done. In the past 2 years I had My car I got the front and back struts and shocks done, within the past 5 months I have gotten my rack and pinion, sway bar or both tie rods, all new rotors new brake pads, and new front lower control arm and motor mount on passenger side as well as the front axle. New tires a Month ago new back passenger rim, alignment and balanced tires and my car still doesn't run as smooth as it should. It shakes at about 65 to 75 but 80mph it's smoothing out. I can sometimes feel it 45 but all this got done and I'm so frustrated on wat it can be my mechanic said he don't see anything else that's wrong, I need help quick I spent too much money already.
Saturday, April 29th, 2023 AT 8:15 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

One thing you didn't mention is if the brake calipers were properly checked to make sure they are releasing and actuating properly. Oftentimes (not always), a brake caliper that doesn't fully release will cause a pull. On the other hand, if it only happens when you apply the brakes, if one doesn't properly actuate, that can do the same.

When it is pulling left, what happens if you apply the brakes? Does it get worse or stop pulling? Also, if you can drive through the vibration, that is almost always a balance issue. If you already had that done, did they check to make sure there isn't a slightly bent rim? I noticed you mentioned replacing one. Were the others checked?

If you have hubcaps on the vehicle, remove them and see if the vibration goes away. Also, let me know if the alignment that was done was a 4-wheel alignment.

Let me know.

Joe
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Saturday, April 29th, 2023 AT 9:14 PM
Tiny
ERNIEG89
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I didn't ask my mechanic, but I will need to have let him know when I see him Ina few days. I doubt they checked for a bent rim which I will also have them look at. Maybe if I switch front passenger to rear and see what happens. When I brake around 65 to 70, I still feel it vibrate as I'm braking and still goes a little left. Even under 30 when braking, it slightly goes left. I need to have all the rims checked now. The alignment was for all 4 tires as I was under the 3pday warranty. Also, my steering wheel is not strait it too is also slight turned left.
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Saturday, April 29th, 2023 AT 9:26 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

Thanks for the update. As far as the vibration, do you notice it more in the steering wheel or the seat/floor?

Also, rotate the tires and see if it changes.

Let me know.

Joe
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Saturday, April 29th, 2023 AT 10:00 PM
Tiny
ERNIEG89
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
More in the steering wheel at 65 to 70 but definitely in the seat or floor under 50. I'm about 800 miles in.
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Saturday, April 29th, 2023 AT 10:02 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Interesting. When you feel it more in the steering, usually it is related to the front wheels. If you feel it more in the seat/floor, it's the rear.

Rotate the tires and see if that changes. If the opposite happens, we have an issue with either balance or a wheel.

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe
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Saturday, April 29th, 2023 AT 10:20 PM
Tiny
ERNIEG89
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
So, I had the tires rotated they said they moved the back strait towards the front, no crossing. I did feel a difference as the 45 MPH shakes are gone. I feel it more from 70 to 80 MPH. I needed to push the gas to see what MPH it would happen on. I took all my tire covers and there was no difference. They checked for bent rims and said it was ok. Maybe I should get a 2nd opinion I don't think the people at Walmart really cared enough. In my opinion.
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Sunday, May 7th, 2023 AT 8:27 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

Did you notice if it was less noticeable in the steering now? If it seems less in the steering and more so in the seat and floor, chances are you moved the problem to the rear.

Let me know. I hope everything else is going well.

Take care,

Joe
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Sunday, May 7th, 2023 AT 8:56 PM

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