Mixed feelings about my new LC!

[Island1064]

I picked my new 2015 LC last Tuesday with 65 miles, drove it since for another 200 miles, mostly commuting, and a bit of highway.

I now have a vibration when I brake at speed (slowing down for traffic)' it started with a small vibration on the back, but now I feel it slightly on the steering wheel. At times I feel like a rough spot at very slow speed.
At no point did I have todo an emergency stop, I am well aware of the brake in procedure and I am very anal about it.

Went to the local dealer and scheduled an appointment for Tuesday, and now I have just discovered that I also have a 1 inch lean on the driver side. The dealer I bought it from is 2 hours away.

I have had 30 cars before that one, and I must say that's a first for me to have to go back to fix one within the first 300 miles.

Am I just the "lucky one" or is this supposed most reliable SUV in the world just hype?

Sorry for the rant, but I am slightly pissed.

 

[cc1999]

Reliable, Yes very IMO.
You seldom ever here of anyone getting stranded in one.
Perfect, No.

IMO, the lean is virtually normal, or at the very least such a common occurrence in the LC it has to be to the point I would almost bet more LCs have the lean then don't, both of mine have it to some degree, one leans slightly more then the other.

The vibration thing is not normal, but does happen, it could be just simple re-torqueing of the lug nuts needed, or it could be possibly a tire is defective which if it is a defective tire, I am not sure that would be entirely Toyota's fault, they didn't make the tires and the OEM tries are not the best. That said the dealer should have done a better job on the PDI and caught it, if it is a tire problem, I have no doubt Toyota will replace the tire under warranty if that is the issue.
Aluminum Wheels generally do need re-torqued after the first couple hundred miles. At least I have been told that several times in the past by multiple different tire shops over the years. So that could be all it is, hopefully that is the case.

Good luck, keep us posted on what you find out.

 

[Island1064]

I knew about the proverbial lean, and thanks for the info on the tires/lug nuts I would not have thought that would be a possibility, as the sensation is only when braking, so I assumed it might have been rust spot on the disc as that car has stood on the dealer lot for a while, or a defective disc.

I just hope it's minor, I love the car, and I already ordered a different set of tires, wanted the TDR wheels but they are darn expensive.

Thanks

 

[cc1999]

Braking can magnify the lug nut issue. I know the LCs can be a little particular about not being torqued evenly. Especially if your running a mild spacer like I do. I don't let dealers or anyone rotate my LCs wheels anymore, I get a vibration every time, I end up re doing it myself to fix it. Its happened about every time I let someone else mess with it. You could be right about the brakes, not sure about the rust, that normally is swept off first time you hit the brakes, not normally some thing that causes a vibration. More then likely if it did set for a long period of time in one spot, without moving, the tires could be the problem. I am still betting on lug torque issue though.

Did you get the Geolander ATs ?, I just replied to that post on your other thread?
Got that tire on both my LCs love that tire.

 

[Island1064]

I just ordered the tires, will have them mounted next Tuesday. They seem to fit my needs as you described.
Should I try to retorque the wheels ASAP or wait for the dealer Tuesday?

 

[cc1999]

I doubt they are actually loose, at least not to a point of any danger.
With mine I just get slight vibrations when they are not torqued evenly and in a crisscross pattern. I have watched lube techs just go around the wheel with an impact not even crisscrossing when doing it, and sure enough I get a slight vibration every time they don't do it correctly.

If you have a jack and torque wrench sure, why not. If that solves your issue, saves the hassle of taking it in. Be sure and loosen them just a little then torque them down in a crisscross pattern, to evenly seat the wheel to the hub. I think spec is aculally something like 100fp I normally just go a little over kill at 125 on about every truck I own.

 

[Willy beamin]

If available at the tire shop ask for them to be road force balanced. Tire shop will match the high spots with the low spot in your tire wheel combo to achieve a near perfect balance with little to no weights is applicable.
Makes a difference.

 

[Island1064]

Thanks for the tips, unfortunately I don't have a jack, so I'll wait for Tuesday.

 

[cc1999]

Yes, road force is the best way to go, when you have that option. I understand the machines are ultra expensive, so not all that common in some areas.

 

[Rigger]

You've got "Cruiser Lean". It's gangsta!!

No serious, hope you get things resolved.

Did you buy the TRD rims? Or pass on 'em?

And, finally, post up some pics!!

 

[Rando Kuruza]

Hey I know how you feel, I have had 3 land cruiser and sometimes there are things that annoy me... Whistling ac, crappy brakes, little squeaky noise from the dash, rattling back seats... Pain to get toyotas to balance... When you balance a combination or road force tape weights and hammer weights will give you the best results and for god sakes make sure they hand tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern, or that may throw off the balance.... Man bunch of little things. But after 3 land cruisers and pretty much no problems aside from alternators, batteries, brakes and tune ups... I would never buy any other vehicle!!! I have 47,000 miles on a 2013, it's been great!! I will always have a cruiser in my garage. Great resale value too!!

 

[Island1064]

You've got "Cruiser Lean". It's gangsta!!

No serious, hope you get things resolved.

Did you buy the TRD rims? Or pass on 'em?

And, finally, post up some pics!!

Or maybe it's my car telling me I need to lose weight.

I passed on the TRD rims, a bit too expensive. I ordered a set of Geolanders AT-S instead.

 

[mtnracer]

I thought the Cruiser lean is largely related to the suspension "hydraulics" and can be corrected by bleeding some valve. There was a post about it not long ago.

 

[Buddysuede]

I recently measured from center hub to wheel well and discovered I had the lean as well, about an inch. I remeasured the next day on the same flat garage parking spot and it was level. I measured the next day and it was on the other side. I don't know if this is simply a KDSS thing but I'm adding a new suspension shortly and part of that process is to open the KDSS valves. I'll keep everyone posted if the lean persists after that.

 

[mtnracer]

Found the thread to fix the "Cruiser Lean":

Cruiser Lean: "You've been doing it all wrong. Yes you"

 

[Bomar]

I would have the Toyota dealer do the road force as a warranty issue. If they baulk get on the phone to Toyota USA it will get fixed.

 

[Island1064]

Will do thanks for the tip

 

[cc1999]

Just thought i would point out that there is no point in taking to the dealer for a warranty balance when you just ordered new tires.
Also Toyota wont pay for balance on aftermarket tires. Basically wait till after your new tires are installed, and see if problem is solved. No point in balancing tires your taking off.

 

[Island1064]

Makes sense

 

[jwestpro]

KDSS is known to cause lean if it's been parked in a wonky way like they do on those display rock piles or even if you have a strangely shaped parking spot at home. I don't think any "bleeding" is advised as the system will even itself out.

Over torquing to 125 is not advised...there is a reason for torque specs. I would expect the Land Cruiser to be more like 105 lb-ft.