Canada - Steering/Suspension - Vehicle Pull or Drift to Left

Bulletin
1330

Issue Date
October 26, 2004

Market
Canada

Title:
VEHICLE PULL/DRIFT REPAIR PROCEDURE

Component
STEERING

Model
'04 Avalon & '04 - '05 Camry & Solara

TSB REVISION NOTICE:
January 17, 2005: Warranty Information has been changed.
December 09, 2004: Title has been changed ("Pull" changed to "Pull/Drift"); VINs have been updated in Production Change Information section; 2005 model year added for Camry & Solara; Parts Information added; and Repair Procedure has been expanded and clarified, including rotation angle of Front Coil Spring Seat Upper. PLEASE READ ENTIRE TSB.
- March 10, 2004: The VINs for the 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder Solara have been changed. Previous versions of this TSB should be discarded.

This service bulletin provides the repair procedure for 2004 model year Avalon, and 2004 - 2005 model year Camry and Solara vehicles with a slight pull or drift to the left. Please use these repair methods in conjunction with the Repair Manual instructions.

APPLICABLE VEHICLES:
- 2004 model year Avalon vehicles produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VINs shown in this TSB.
- 2004 -- 2005 model year Camry and Solara vehicles produced BEFORE the Production Change Effective VINs shown in this TSB.







PRODUCTION CHANGE INFORMATION:










WARRANTY INFORMATION:


PARTS INFORMATION:







2004 Avalon







2004 - 2005 Camry (TMMK)







2004 Camry (Japan Built)







2004 - 2005 Solara







REQUIRED SSTs:







REPAIR PROCEDURE CHART:


REPAIR PROCEDURE 1:

1. Confirm problem symptoms.
a) With the customer accompanying you, drive the vehicle to confirm if the customer's complaint involves vehicle pulling to the left.

2. Decide if vehicle pulling is due to spring mount or tires.
a) Switch the left and right front tires (If the tires are non--unidirectional).







b) Conduct a drive test to check whether the direction that the vehicle pulls has changed.

NOTE:
Warranty Claims for Repair Procedure #1, use OPN Code SR4001and Combo A only.

REPAIR PROCEDURE 2:
1. Remove LH front strut assy from vehicle following the procedures included in ETAS, 2004 model year Repair Manual: Front Suspension: Front Shock Absorber With Coil Spring.







NOTE:
Do not loosen the strut assembly upper lock nut.

2. Once Strut Assembly has been removed from the vehicle, place on a work surface.







3. Locate the triangular mark on the Front Coil Spring Seat Upper. The triangle indicates zero degrees from the strut centerline.

If the triangle is not at zero, the procedures in this TSB may have been performed previously (Front Coil Spring Seat Upper rotation).


4. Remove the front springs using a coil spring compressor, (refer to "Required SSTs"). Compress the coil spring evenly.
5. Install the new front springs onto the strut and the remaining strut components, using the coil spring compressor.







6. Rotate the Front Coil Spring Seat Upper and coil spring insulator COUNTERCLOCKWISE until the triangle is 0.5 inch (12.5 mm) from the strut centerline.







CAUTION:
Ensure the lower coil spring is aligned with the Front Coil Spring Insulator Lower. No. 2


7. Carefully remove the coil spring compressor while ensuring the coil spring is in the proper location.







8. Recheck the position of the paint mark on the Front Coil Spring Seat Upper in relation to the strut centerline. If the triangle mark is not 0.5 inch (12.5 mm) COUNTERCLOCKWISE from the centerline of the strut, repeat the procedure above.

9. Recheck the position of the coil spring in the lower spring seat and tighten the upper lock nut to specification.

CAUTION:
Inspect the coil spring to verify the painted surface of the spring has not been damaged. If necessary, use touch--up paint to cover any areas where paint has been removed.

10. Reinstall the both Front Strut Assemblies following the instructions in ETAS, applicable model and model year Repair Manual, Front Suspension: Front Shock Absorber With Coil Spring.

11. Check the vehicle alignment and follow the remaining repair procedures per TSB1081, "Repair Manual Supplement: Vehicle Pulling to One Side."
12. Perform Zero Point calibration after setting the alignment to specification. Refer to TSB1332, "Zero Point Calibration, "for Zero Point reset procedure."

NOTE:
Issue of this Technical Service Bulletin is to ensure that proper repair information is available. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN AUTHORIZATION FOR REPAIR. Normal provisions of the formal warranty policy, as applicable, will apply.