Trying to bring some closure to the left front pull problem!

[SuperCharged]

I work at a Toyota Dealership (Toyota of Roswell) and we have already had a few Solaras come through for a correction of the left front pull problem. The fix is simple. When redesigning the front springs for the new car, Toyota misnumbered the left front spring, which has to be rotated 5 degrees and the problem is fixed. Our master-technician got this info from TOYOTA the mfr., and we have applied it to every Solara that has come through the service lane with no return customers. He said the left pull problem can be very vague at low speeds, but if you were traveling at 80MPH and let your hands off the wheel, the car would veer out of control and likely wreck.

Feel free to ask me any questions as I can probably get them answered for you promptly, and by a Toyota Certified Technician.

-Michael-

[fotodad]

I work at a Toyota Dealership (Toyota of Roswell) and we have already had a few Solaras come through for a correction of the left front pull problem. The fix is simple. When redesigning the front springs for the new car, Toyota misnumbered the left front spring, which has to be rotated 5 degrees and the problem is fixed. Our master-technician got this info from TOYOTA the mfr., and we have applied it to every Solara that has come through the service lane with no return customers. He said the left pull problem can be very vague at low speeds, but if you were traveling at 80MPH and let your hands off the wheel, the car would veer out of control and likely wreck.

Feel free to ask me any questions as I can probably get them answered for you promptly, and by a Toyota Certified Technician.

-Michael-

Thank you for this valuable information, Michael. How would you feel about sending me a PM with your name and the phone number of your dealership so my technician can call you if there are any questions? Surprisingly, my drift problem went away after I had new Michelin tires put on the car. But for peace of mind I'd still like to have this fix performed.

[bigpow]

Yo Mike,

Does the fix include adjusting the steering wheel offset to the right?

That's what I GOT when TMS boys touched my car.

BTW, after the 5deg BS, mine is STILL going left.

[glenb]

I just got an email from Toyota:

We apologize for the delay in responding to your recent email and for the ongoing concern with your 2004 Solara.

Our research indicates that a Technical Service Bulletin has been published on February 4, 2004 that may be related to your concern.

I also subscribed to Toyota TIS where I saw the TSB which is.

ST002-04

"This service bulletin is to inform you of the repair procedure for the 2004 model year Avalon, Camry and Solara vehicles pulling to the left."

"2004 model year Avalon, Camry and Solara vehicles produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VINs shown below."

Contact your dealer.

I am scheduled for Thursday.

Glen

[slingshot]

ST002-04

"This service bulletin is to inform you of the repair procedure for the 2004 model year Avalon, Camry and Solara vehicles pulling to the left."

"2004 model year Avalon, Camry and Solara vehicles produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VINs shown below."

Glen

Any chance you can post here the VINs?

[glenb]

Solara 4 Cylinder 4T1CA3#P#4U016694
6 Cylinder 4T1CE3#P#4U836000

From plant TMMK which is ?(Kuntucky)

[LunarMistGray]

Mike,
When I took my car in around Nov/Dec, the service tech wrote on the ticket that the top mount supports and spacer plates were out of spec and they needed to order the parts. The replaced the following parts on my car: 45810-A9350, 48520-A9210, 48471-0630, and 48609-06090. They also performed a 4-wheel alignment. My car doesn't drift left anymore, but I was wondering if this could have fixed it. Also, I noticed my technician had a diagram with my car's current camber adjustments for each wheel and he had the measurements for the 03 Solora. I assume he was trying to compare the two.

What's your opinion?

[glenb]

For anyone from that part of the world sorry for the spelling.
Kentucky

[Pakin]

Thanks for the info. It's nice to havea actual Toyota Tech here

-paK +2

[slingshot]

Solara 4 Cylinder 4T1CA3#P#4U016694
6 Cylinder 4T1CE3#P#4U836000

Pardon my ignorance, but how am I supposed to determine if my VIN number is eligible for this fix? Make sure my VIN number ends in numbers less than the one above? For example, 4U835999 would need the fix but not 4U836001?

[glenb]

That is the way I would read it. If you have the left drift check with your service dept to be sure.

[fotodad]

This is fantastic news! Thank you to everyone who dug up all this information.

[slingshot]

Don't celebrate yet until Glenb and Bigpow get fixed. That'll convince me the TSB fix will work for anyone.

[bigpow]

Thanks for the info. It's nice to havea actual Toyota Tech here

-paK +2

Yo Mike, how about this... you fix my car, and I'll give you the names of the TMS specialists that put the fake fix on my car... so you can report them and get them fired. We'll call it even then..

[SuperCharged]

Fotodad talked to my boss today...lol. How'd that go?! LoL! Anyway, I wouldn't fault any dealers for not being able to fix your cars. The Tech at our store who fixed the problem is really a genius. If he can't do it then it cannot be done, I swear. From what he told me he put some of his own know how and combined it with the info he received from Toyota Corporate and fixed the problem. Other dealers haven't been as fortunate as to have someone know how to truly fix the problem, and have been trying everything else. As long as your dealer has been cordial and helpful, they probably don't deserve to be reported. It's just been a hard bug to fix!

-Michael-