Alignment problems?

[dfwrere]

I have a 2024 Hybrid Lariat with about 66k miles on it. 85% of my driving is highway miles. Up to about a month ago, I've had no issues with it all. It's been a perfect little work truck for me. About a month ago, I noticed the truck is pulling fairly noticeably to the right at highway speeds. It was time for my 60k mile maintenance check up, so I took it the dealer. They found no abnormal wear on the tires, and they rotated them as they do every maintenance visit. Tread is ok, but getting near time for new tires. I requested they check the alignment. They found it slightly out of alignment on the front end and they adjusted it. I don't remember the specs. When I drove it home, no pulling at all.

Less than a week later, it was pulling to the right again. Took it back to the dealer last week. It was out of alignment again. Why, I don't know. I haven't hit pot holes or curbs or any rough driving. They adjusted it again, and it was fine driving home and a few days after. Now it's pulling to the right again.

Ford swears they have inspected all the components and they see nothing unusual or damaged. Why would this keep happening? I plan on getting new tires next week, but if it's tires, why would it drive fine for a few days after adjustment?

I noticed the newest "Do not Drive" recall, so I checked my VIN on the recall site. It is not listed as one of those recall vehicles. So what do I tell the dealership to look at next if new tires don't fix the problem? It's irritating me and making my arms tired keeping it on the road!

Thanks!

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[HeyBales]

Make sure they are providing those printouts of the alignment before/after figures.

See if it's always the same one that's out, and by about same amount.

It will be hard to convince someone you didn't run a curb or big pothole.
Frankly Ford Tough should be able to handle more.

But perhaps finding out why they can't make it hold.
May be new tech on that machine, not getting brave enough with the torque after setting things right.

 

[El Kabong]

Does the pull happen all the time, or only after the tires are warmed up?

Check and set air pressure to whatever is on your sticker when all tires are overnight cold and before the sun warms them up.

I had a similar issue on a Honda Accord with a cheap set of tires on them - the tires looked good and still had decent tread but one of them had an internal defect and would cause the vehicle to have a strong pull but only when the tire pressure was above the recommended pressure, so in the morning it would drive OK for a bit then start to pull as the tires warmed up.

 

[dfwrere]

Make sure they are providing those printouts of the alignment before/after figures.

See if it's always the same one that's out, and by about same amount.

It will be hard to convince someone you didn't run a curb or big pothole.
Frankly Ford Tough should be able to handle more.

But perhaps finding out why they can't make it hold.
May be new tech on that machine, not getting brave enough with the torque after setting things right.

I've kept the print outs. I don't have them in front of me, but I always keep the paperwork.

I know it's always the front, but I can't remember the exact numbers. I'll have to go get it and look.

 

[dfwrere]

Does the pull happen all the time, or only after the tires are warmed up?

Check and set air pressure to whatever is on your sticker when all tires are overnight cold and before the sun warms them up.

I had a similar issue on a Honda Accord with a cheap set of tires on them - the tires looked good and still had decent tread but one of them had an internal defect and would cause the vehicle to have a strong pull but only when the tire pressure was above the recommended pressure, so in the morning it would drive OK for a bit then start to pull as the tires warmed up.

It doesn't seem to matter. It does it in the morning when I first start driving and then all day. But it's only noticable about about 65mph.

I guess I'll know for sure when I replace the tires.

 

[ianjay]

Not to put dealer service departments down (well, maybe a little) it may be time to find a real alignment shop to take a look. Hopefully this is an option for you. Alignment shops typically deal with these issues and instead of doing a quick flat rate adjustment, can really find the issue. Service departments which run your vehicle over a quickie alignment rig (Hunter) as you bring the car in ALWAYS find an issue and for the most part can be ignored. A fine waste of money IMHO that the dealer hopes to make extra money with.

 

[Fibrepunk]

Does the pull happen all the time, or only after the tires are warmed up?

Check and set air pressure to whatever is on your sticker when all tires are overnight cold and before the sun warms them up.

I had a similar issue on a Honda Accord with a cheap set of tires on them - the tires looked good and still had decent tread but one of them had an internal defect and would cause the vehicle to have a strong pull but only when the tire pressure was above the recommended pressure, so in the morning it would drive OK for a bit then start to pull as the tires warmed up.

Just set the PSI +2 or +3 to whatever is on your sticker when the tires are still warm/hot from your drive and call it a day. Being off by a little is fine.

 

[dfwrere]

Not to put dealer service departments down (well, maybe a little) it may be time to find a real alignment shop to take a look. Hopefully this is an option for you. Alignment shops typically deal with these issues and instead of doing a quick flat rate adjustment, can really find the issue. Service departments which run your vehicle over a quickie alignment rig (Hunter) as you bring the car in ALWAYS find an issue and for the most part can be ignored. A fine waste of money IMHO that the dealer hopes to make extra money with.

Thankfully, so far, they have not charged me a penny. I have a maintenance plan with my extended warranty, which I'm sure they over charged me at purchase for but I use it!

But if it continues, I'll take it an alignment shop for a second opinion.

 

[Mudduck]

Thankfully, so far, they have not charged me a penny. I have a maintenance plan with my extended warranty, which I'm sure they over charged me at purchase for but I use it!

But if it continues, I'll take it an alignment shop for a second opinion.

When I put on a set of Lariat 19s, I had it aligned. Never any issues with pulling or steering wheel being centered.
I swapped to 17s and Michelin CC2s and immediately noticed a pull to the right. I guess thats why my dad always told me to have an alignment every time you put new tires regardless if you neded them or not?

I went to Firestone for their lifetime alignment. I think I paid $249 or $299, but ill never pay for another one for this truck. When I decide to lower it, Ill get it rechecked and adjusted for "Free". At anytime, I can go to a Firestone Nationwide and get fixed up with no out of pocket.

 

[inline_five]

About a month ago, I noticed the truck is pulling fairly noticeably to the right at highway speeds. It was time for my 60k mile maintenance check up, so I took it the dealer. They found no abnormal wear on the tires, and they rotated them as they do every maintenance visit. Tread is ok, but getting near time for new tires. I requested they check the alignment. They found it slightly out of alignment on the front end and they adjusted it. I don't remember the specs. When I drove it home, no pulling at all.

Less than a week later, it was pulling to the right again. Took it back to the dealer last week. It was out of alignment again. Why, I don't know. I haven't hit pot holes or curbs or any rough driving. They adjusted it again, and it was fine driving home and a few days after. Now it's pulling to the right again.

Thanks!

I have a 2023 hybrid w/ 12,000 on it. Mine has been pulling right since about 7,000 miles. Super annoying as I had come from a car that just could not get aligned straight, so was always pulling. So I was so looking forward to a vehicle that tracked straight.

It's disheartening to hear that the problem cannot be fixed.

I have read multiple stories on here about this right pulling trend. Not sure what it is. Looks like I will be buying that Firestone lifetime alignment package.

 

[HeyBales]

They nailed my front alignment specs.
They can't do anything about rear alignment changes.
Toe-in was almost at max values for each side - on opposite sides of the range.
One every so slight worn tire changing spots during a rotation allowed that aspect to cause a pull.

I figure there's enough variability in the road way above a PSI difference, or a 1/32 extra wear - that it should not pull to the right so strongly under even strong wind from the right, that you have to tug it.
That back end - waiting for 3rd party to come up with some cam nuts or something.

 

[Cherokee]

It doesn't seem to matter. It does it in the morning when I first start driving and then all day. But it's only noticable about about 65mph.

I guess I'll know for sure when I replace the tires.

Starting to sound like a tire issue, internal belt/tread separation ?
I’d have them pull and de-mount the tires, all four. And inspect the inside surface.
Then remount using high speed 1/8 th ounce balancing.

If I’m right it should pull more at higher speeds.
Take it up to 90 mph, ease it up.

Consistently running a pound or two lower than 35,36 can exacerbate this type of tire failure.

Get 38,39 psi in and try that. If there’s a tread separation you have a will pop,
Not a may pop tire:’P

Your alignment guy may be a dumbass and not going to ever check the tires as I stated.

 

[MakinDoForNow]

Starting to sound like a tire issue, internal belt/tread separation ?
I’d have them pull and de-mount the tires, all four. And inspect the inside surface.
Then remount using high speed 1/8 th ounce balancing.

If I’m right it should pull more at higher speeds.
Take it up to 90 mph, ease it up.

Consistently running a pound or two lower than 35,36 can exacerbate this type of tire failure.

Get 38,39 psi in and try that. If there’s a tread separation you have a will pop,
Not a may pop tire:’P

Your alignment guy may be a dumbass and not going to ever check the tires as I stated.

I read somewhere that even less than 1 lb more air pressure in the front tire nearest the center of the road can cause pulling towards the outside of road due to crown in road for water drainage. Easy test is to drive on other side of road to test the pull direction.

 

[scharris99]

A slight pull to the right on a single lane roadway is typically the water drainage crown in the road. Drive in the left lane on a highway and see if it still pulls right.

 

[Cherokee]

All very true.
One psi can make a difference.

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