Toyota Rav4 steering issues - Page 2

RTexasF · 11-14-2012, 08:19 PM

Are you saying the tires are mismatched? Different brands & tread patterns on different wheels? What are the tire pressures?

JTRAV · 11-14-2012, 10:00 PM

The tire mismatch issue could be contributing. Even if labelled as the same size, different brands can all be +/- a certain percentage. To test that theory, put a chalk mark on the same spot on each tire and drive a short distance. Stop and see where all your chalk marks end up. I bet they will be in different spots. Learned that handy tip from a buddy of mine who is a tech.

Tire mis-matching can be hard on your 4wd system as well as each tire is rotating at different rates.

Dr. Dyno · 11-15-2012, 07:03 AM

Does sound like we might have multiple variables here. Therefore no better than wild guesses for answers.

Tedbird · 11-20-2012, 02:09 PM

I'm with R Tex F. Something is wrong. I have a 08 RAV V6 Ltd 4wd 36k miles and the steering is weighted on the light side but fine. Never pulls to eighter side and drives straight down the road with very slight corrections to compensate for road slope and condition, a joy to steer and drive.

Welcome to an excellent, friendly Forum Silencer,
Happy Thanksgiving Ted(bird)

ravenuer · 11-26-2012, 03:30 PM

I still say it's a brake issue, since he said it pulls to the right only when braking.

THe_Silencer · 11-26-2012, 06:12 PM

It's not just braking. the Rav4 pulls right during normal driving. only time it doesn't pull right is when at highway speeds.

pico · 11-26-2012, 06:35 PM

It's definitely a post-election political fallout thing.

rav4two · 11-27-2012, 03:21 AM

You can get an alignment and see if you can reduce the caster a bit. That will decrease the self-centering of the steering, but I don't know how the electric steering assist will react though.

ravenuer · 11-27-2012, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THe_Silencer

It's not just braking. the Rav4 pulls right during normal driving. only time it doesn't pull right is when at highway speeds.

Sorry, me got confused!

11-14-2012, 08:19 PM	#11 (permalink)
RTexasF Advanced Member Country: Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Rio Grande Valley TX Posts: 5,392 Thanks: 31 Thanked 156 Times in 144 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Are you saying the tires are mismatched? Different brands & tread patterns on different wheels? What are the tire pressures? __________________ Old Bird......sometimes wise 2008 Base V-6 front wheel drive 2008 Limited V-6 front wheel drive Both with Tow Prep Package

11-27-2012, 03:21 AM	#18 (permalink)
rav4two Advanced Member Country: Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 2,182 Thanks: 2 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	You can get an alignment and see if you can reduce the caster a bit. That will decrease the self-centering of the steering, but I don't know how the electric steering assist will react though. __________________ 2010 Rav4 AWD V6 - Wife's 2007 Civic LX - Daughter's 1996 BMW 328i - Son's 1995 Miata - Daily Driver 2011 Corvette - Unintentional garage queen

11-14-2012, 10:00 PM	#12 (permalink)
JTRAV Member Country: Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 164 Thanks: 5 Thanked 12 Times in 12 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The tire mismatch issue could be contributing. Even if labelled as the same size, different brands can all be +/- a certain percentage. To test that theory, put a chalk mark on the same spot on each tire and drive a short distance. Stop and see where all your chalk marks end up. I bet they will be in different spots. Learned that handy tip from a buddy of mine who is a tech. Tire mis-matching can be hard on your 4wd system as well as each tire is rotating at different rates.

11-15-2012, 07:03 AM	#13 (permalink)
Dr. Dyno Advanced Member Country: Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Eastern CT Posts: 2,855 Thanks: 76 Thanked 130 Times in 126 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Does sound like we might have multiple variables here. Therefore no better than wild guesses for answers.

11-20-2012, 02:09 PM	#14 (permalink)
Tedbird Member Country: Join Date: May 2012 Location: Lower Michigan Posts: 119 Thanks: 30 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I'm with R Tex F. Something is wrong. I have a 08 RAV V6 Ltd 4wd 36k miles and the steering is weighted on the light side but fine. Never pulls to eighter side and drives straight down the road with very slight corrections to compensate for road slope and condition, a joy to steer and drive. Welcome to an excellent, friendly Forum Silencer, Happy Thanksgiving Ted(bird)

11-26-2012, 03:30 PM	#15 (permalink)
ravenuer Senior Member Country: Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Long Island, New York Posts: 362 Thanks: 2 Thanked 20 Times in 20 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I still say it's a brake issue, since he said it pulls to the right only when braking.

11-26-2012, 06:12 PM	#16 (permalink)
THe_Silencer Junior Member Country: Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Ontario Posts: 4 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	It's not just braking. the Rav4 pulls right during normal driving. only time it doesn't pull right is when at highway speeds.

11-26-2012, 06:35 PM	#17 (permalink)
pico Senior Member Country: Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Driftless Zone Minnesota Posts: 410 Thanks: 127 Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts Feedback Score: 0 reviews	It's definitely a post-election political fallout thing.

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