SS-1 JDM Suspension System, Suspension Experts Needed! Options

[baby_godzilla]

Hi all,

NOOB here. Sorry for a long 1st post, but I have been doing a bit of research and has come up with a bunch of Q's.

I have got a non-modified 1996 JDM SS-1 Celica for 1 year now. I changed to 4 pieces of BRAND NEW touring Yoko's the other day (no change to OEM wheel size). Since installation, I started noticing the vehicle started pulling to the left (NOTE: left hand drive). When the steering is centered, the car goes straight as an arrow. However, when I let go of the steering, the steering starts turning to the left and the car pulls to the left. This happen even at slow speed and no worse with breaking.

I went back to the wheel alignment shop a few times to diagnose the problem but to no avail.

Basically, castor/camber/toe settings are within Toyota specifications:

Front Axle
Castor LEFT +1o54' RIGHT +2o05' (+2o00' +/-0o45')
Camber LEFT -0o45' RIGHT -0o59' (-0o45' +/-0o45')
KPI LEFT +14040' RIGHT +15o04' (+15o00' +/-0o45')
Individual Toe BOTH +0.5mm (+0.0mm +/-1mm)
Total Toe +1.0mm (+0.0mm +/-1mm)
Setback -0.5mm
Included Angle LEFT +13o55' RIGHT +14o05'

Rear Axle
Camber LEFT -0o52' RIGHT -1o18' (-1o10' +/-0o45')
Individual Toe BOTH +1.8mm (+1.5mm +/-0.5mm)
Total Toe +3.5mm (+3.0mm +/-1mm)
Setback +4.0mm
Geometrical driving axis +0o00'

As you can see, LEFT castor has more negative and camber more positive, which can lead to left pull (especially on a left hand drive). However, these castor/camber settings are within Toyota factory specifications, so I don't know how much these castor/camber settings contribute to the pull. As far as I can tell, their wheel alignment database as new as 2003.05 (I assume May, 2003)

As far as the alignment people can see, there are no major bends and dents to the undercarraige.

They have tried rotating the wheels right to left, front to back to rule out any wheel defect but the vehicle still gave the same left pull.

Now, so far the technicians has been only tweaking with the toe settings, which I understand do not usually lead to pulling/drifting problems. I have also been told caster/camber settings is NOT adjustable in this vehicle.

Now, searching thru 6gc, I see that this pulling problem can due to a variety of suspension and non suspension related problems (e.g. engine mount). However, I have not had any modifications done to the car, technicians have denied any major wear and tear or damage to the undercarraige of the vehicle and there are no funny noises that I can detect while driving or idle.

Questions:

(1) I understand SS-1s uses MacPherson strut (front) as compared to SuperStrut for the SS-2s and SS-3s. Now, do any of the USDM or UKDM vehicles use the same system as the SS-1s?

(2) Can camber/castor setting be adjusted in stock suspension systems?

(3) Is it enough for the camber/caster settings above to cause a left pull (even though within database spec)?

(4) Should I look elsewhere for the problem? If so, where to start?

(5) Will Toyota dealers have more stuff/tools up their sleeves?

Any suggestions/opinions will be much appreciated. Thanks!

This post has been edited by baby_godzilla: Nov 22, 2005 - 11:27 PM

[Mr_E]

(1) I understand SS-1s uses MacPherson strut (front) as compared to SuperStrut for the SS-2s and SS-3s. Now, do any of the USDM or UKDM vehicles use the same system as the SS-1s?

Suspension on your SS-I will be the same as the setup on UK spec GTs and STs, and the same in the US also.

Superstruts were only *some* JDM SS-IIs, and all SS-IIIs and ST205s.

[Hanyo]

some new tires can affect how the car tracks. Break-in the tires for a couple miles before you take it into the alignment shop.