96 Cam LE new front struts-wheels pulling hard, both directions

[Maulana]

I just had a shop install new front struts on a 96 Camry LE (2.2, 5SFE) and the wheels are pulling to both the left and right. (Mevotech mounts, Monroe strut assemblies.) When I drove away from the shop, there was slight noise from the right front wheel when I made a hard left turn.
I bought the car used and the old struts were way overdue to be replaced (car at 89,400 mi), but, there was no alignment problem or pulling before the change (I didn't have to keep a strong grip on the steering wheel).
Is there a break-in/settling period for new struts, or if the new parts & the shop's installation work was all good, should the new parts have immediately improved driving handling?

[Mike Gerber]

Did the shop do an alignment after the strut install? This is an absolute necessity when installing front struts. If you had new springs installed with the new struts then there will be some settling of the springs after a few hundred miles, but that would not cause the pulling or wandering that you describe. Take the car back to the shop that did the install and have them align it. If they do not have the equipment to do alignments, then take the car to someone else for the alignment; but do let the original shop know of the pulling problem and the noise you are hearing.

Mike

[Maulana]

No Mike, mechanic did not say that he did realign, or that it is required with new strut install. I asked mechanic (new to me but recommended by neighbor) if he'd install parts that I bought and provided. He said yes and didn't indicate that it bothered him in particular--just advised me that he couldn't guarantee the parts, just his labor. So is the realign considered a standard part of the labor on a new strut install? I wouldn't have tried to buy my own parts to save $$ if I knew the mechanic would end up doing something hostile.

[Brian R.]

Yes, an alignment is necessary anytime you modify the front (or rear in a car with 4-wheel independent suspension) suspension.

[Maulana]

Took the car into a second shop to follow up the 'assumed' problem of front end alignment needing adjustment after new front strut assemblies and cushions being installed. Mechanic there said all that was needed was a slight adjustment to one of the toes. He said the struts and mounts appeared to have been properly installed in the first shop.

He drove the car about 10 or so miles until he could identify the hard pulling to the right and left that I described. He found when turning the car to the right, it keeps pulling in that direction, and turning hard to the left, it keeps pulling that way.

He thought of 2 possible causes:
- That one of the new cushions is bad.
- That the steering rack is bad.

Any thoughts??

[Brian R.]

Check your tires to see if there is really uneven wear or appearance. The tires may be the problem, or may indicate a problem with the suspension. Check the entire suspension thoroughly if not already done.

Check all the components of the steering system (if that wasn't done by your mechanic). There may be looseness in the steering rack. Don't let a mechanic guess on this. Test it by free play. This is an expensive part to replace.

One or both your wheel bearings may be bad.

[inafogg]

Originally Posted by Maulana

I just had a shop install new front struts on a 96 Camry LE (2.2, 5SFE) and the wheels are pulling to both the left and right. (Mevotech mounts, Monroe strut assemblies.) When I drove away from the shop, there was slight noise from the right front wheel when I made a hard left turn.
I bought the car used and the old struts were way overdue to be replaced (car at 89,400 mi), but, there was no alignment problem or pulling before the change (I didn't have to keep a strong grip on the steering wheel).
Is there a break-in/settling period for new struts, or if the new parts & the shop's installation work was all good, should the new parts have immediately improved driving handling?

it sounds like the top bearing/plate is binding.
what was replaced the complete assembly?or just the strut & top mount?

[Maulana]

Thanks, Brian. The second mechanic who suggested problem is with steering rack or bad strut cushion also said he thought car is safe to drive for a while. Does what you're thinking could be the problem indicate that? Thanks again.

[Brian R.]

Maybe. It would depend on how bad the part it that is failing or binding. Tough to tell. Having touched your car, he is in a better position than I am to make that call.

[Maulana]

Took car back to first shop where new parts put on; mechanic determined that the bearing plate components of new (Mevotech) cushions were defective (not moving freely, hense all of the crunching sounds when turning wheels, along with the hard pulling). So, mechanic put original bearing into new cushion on one side, but could only locate one of the originals, so packed the other bearing with a different kind of grease--that side is still crunching.
I wish the mechanic had called me to say what the problem was and to have given me the option to have him buy a new set of mounts and give me the defective ones to return.

[Brian R.]

Now that you know what the problem is, get the original mechanic to replace those. They should be returnable and he should back up his work.

[inafogg]

Originally Posted by Maulana

Took car back to first shop where new parts put on; mechanic determined that the bearing plate components of new (Mevotech) cushions were defective (not moving freely, hense all of the crunching sounds when turning wheels, along with the hard pulling). So, mechanic put original bearing into new cushion on one side, but could only locate one of the originals, so packed the other bearing with a different kind of grease--that side is still crunching.
I wish the mechanic had called me to say what the problem was and to have given me the option to have him buy a new set of mounts and give me the defective ones to return.

im sorry, i dont buy the *hi* your mechanic is telling you!!
its possible you may have gotten a bad part but to say that
both parts were defective is bull in my opinion.more than likely
the parts were installed wrong or without a spacer/washer that
was misplaced/lost when taking them apart.it happens i seen it
i hope you did'nt have to pay for the work done the 2nd time
this is why mechanics get a bad name & so called rip offs!!

[Maulana]

When I drove car home about 5 miles from shop yesterday, heard slight noise (but no crunching) on right side. Mechanic had said drive it for 400-500 miles to see if heavy greasing of right mount bearing would work out. Since posting the message this morning I drove car about 4 miles. Two significant constant noises occurring (coming from, I assume, right front wheel where mount bearing greased as the fix): very high pitched whistling sound and hard metal-grinding sound. Still some 'crunching' sound & instability on right with right turn. Called mechanic about the grinding-metal & whistling sounds. Mechanic not available to look at car again till tomorrow. Asked if safe to drive it--he said he didn't know.

Rock Auto offered an immediate refund or to ship new mounts out right away.

What do you think?

[inafogg]

Originally Posted by Maulana

When I drove car home about 5 miles from shop yesterday, heard slight noise (but no crunching) on right side. Mechanic had said drive it for 400-500 miles to see if heavy greasing of right mount bearing would work out. Since posting the message this morning I drove car about 4 miles. Two significant constant noises occurring (coming from, I assume, right front wheel where mount bearing greased as the fix): very high pitched whistling sound and hard metal-grinding sound. Still some 'crunching' sound & instability on right with right turn. Called mechanic about the grinding-metal & whistling sounds. Mechanic not available to look at car again till tomorrow. Asked if safe to drive it--he said he didn't know.

Rock Auto offered an immediate refund or to ship new mounts out right away.

What do you think?

unfortunitely your in a messed up situation,but if the original mechanic
will install the parts for free i'd say go for it. some how i believe he may want to charge you because you supplied the parts!!not much you can proove so as long as its a discounted price let him do it.just let him no/understand you have to realign car again!!maybe he'll be more understanding.
good luck
BTW if you get a bad feeling just cut your losses & go some where else

[Brian R.]

I'm with inafogg. See if he can't do it right the second time with replacement parts. I wouldn't give up easily. If he tries to get out of backing up his poor job, I would fight as long as practical. I can't believe he's that incompetent (although it's possible). It doesn't take a mechanical engineer to do that job.