Hey guys, recently I got 4 new Falken FK452 installed on my stock 04 G coupe. My toes on front left were -1.2 degree, which is not hard to explain why my car is pulling hard to the left. So I got an alignment done at the dealership.

After alignment, the dealership technician (and another tire shop mechanics also) told me camber is adjusted to maximum, but still within specs. Cross difference on caster and camber are within about half a degree, and toe on both sides are now the same, so everything looks good to me.

HOWEVER, my car is still pulling to the left when I drive. Better than before but still pulling. Tires shouldn't be a problem here, so maybe steering wheel is crooked??? There's a tiny leak on my right side power steering rack, which shouldn't be a factor in this case right? I am sensitive about how my car handles and I am totally frustrated this time.... Any ideas as to what should I do or check or repair?

 

How many miles on the tires?

 

rear maybe 200-300, front no more than 100

 

+1 check your tires

 

Before you throw in the towel I'd do two things, swap the front tires and see if that make a difference. If that doesn't correct your pulling issue talk to guys in auto parts stores and your neighbors and ask them if they know of an independent alignment/brake shop in your area that does great work. Every town has someone that knows how to do the job correctly, most dealerships and company stores like Firestone/Goodyear/Sears don't have a clue. Have your alignment rechecked. Next time you buy tires pass on the Falkens....
Gary

 

This happened to me on my Maxima with Falkens, it is the tires. It is the bands in the tires not lined up properly. Rotated the tires to the rear and the pulling stopped. Amazing the waste of money on alignments, time, mileage for a cheaper set of tires. Will never buy Falkens again.

 

i will so look into the tire tmr... if it's the tires then there will be no more falkens for me..

 

^^ as said above, I bet one tires is slightly conical shape (defect/warranty). Change to another set of fronts like your winters and see what happens. Even swap side/side and see what happens.

I bought a used pair that had a radial defect, and luckily swapping side to side made the problem go away. For new tires, definately return them.

 

Just a question though, if i were to use these tires at all without solving the problem, would it cause significant amount of wear on my tires? Just want to know in case my warranty doesn't work out.

and thanks for the tire info, i was looking into it today and this may be a very potential cause, will switch it up see if things becomes better.

 

If the warranty thing falls through (which it shouldn't) then take the tires off the rim and mount them inside-out. That works sometime too.

I don't know about the wear, but when I switched my tires side to side and eliminated the pull, I used the tires for at least a year more without problems.