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Prius 3 pulls left while driving and breaking/rear axle/suspension issues

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Danny black prius, Feb 15, 2023.

  1. Danny black prius

    Danny black prius New Member

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    Hi guys
    I have problem with my prius3, steering wheel is pulling left on flat road, and even more when road is on angel, in the same time if opposite road angle, steering wheel stays almost straight, also when breaking, steering wheel is going left, I bought 4 new tires, i swap tires left to right, front to back, no difference, still pulls, done alignment in 3 different shops, last with 3d geometry, they leveled steering wheel and front looks perfect, but we found that back alignment is not great( check pic), but cant be calibrated in prius 3... I also had some knock when turning left from stand still, but it fix it self after putting new tires, I went to mechanic to check suspension, we found that front suspension wishbone bushing is little bit loose but not much....

    My question is, if problem is more likely that front suspension bushing or problem is with rear axle alignment, please help!!!
     

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  2. nicoj36

    nicoj36 Active Member

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    Try this
     
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  3. Danny black prius

    Danny black prius New Member

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    Hi Nicoj36
    Thanks for reply, I was checking that one with toyota diler some time ago but turn out that steering angle sensor is only to read data, is not affecting steering wheel position and reset wont help, I also dont have any emergency lights on dashboard.
    Regards.
     
  4. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    I had that issue braking; car steered to the left by itself when braking. I dropped by raytheeagles place and we removed the break pins and relubed both front break pins, that fixed the issue. In your shoes I’d relube the front braKs pins be offf to other things.
     
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  5. Danny black prius

    Danny black prius New Member

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    thanks a lot, i didnt hear about that before, i will definitely check that out, a week ago i was in mechanic, changing all break pads, but i dont know about that pins you mentioned, so on next visit i will ask about it, in my car it pull left when breaking but also when normal drive(very annoying)
    Did your car was pulling during normal drive? Did breaks was getting hot? Please let me know i am going to fix that Japanise limusine ;)
     
  6. nicoj36

    nicoj36 Active Member

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    Steering angle reset definitely helps with steering. Just do it, it's easy and harmless. Also grease the brake pins and contact points.
     
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  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Good to disconnect 12 volt neg whenever caliper is off rotor. When everything is reassembled, pump brake pedal to firm up, and only then reconnect 12 volt. If you don’t, a couple of things “might” happen:

    1. Car can try to pressurize system, eject a caliper piston. (Opening driver's door will often trigger this.)

    2. Car will detect excessive brake pedal travel, display a code.

    More info in “…rear brake…” link in my signature. On phone turn it landscape to see signature.
     
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  8. Danny black prius

    Danny black prius New Member

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    Thanks mr nicoj36 I am going to do it, also pins, and we will se what gonna happen,
     
  9. Danny black prius

    Danny black prius New Member

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    Hi mr Mendel, thank a million for suggestions, I can tell it might be it because when I was in mechanic waiting And car was raised up I was spining rear wheels, and there was massive difference between sides, left rear was spin freely, right rear very poor with noise like metal against metal, so like I mentioned to mr nicoj36, I am going to focus on that one, Thank guys I really appreciate your help
     
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  10. Danny black prius

    Danny black prius New Member

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    Thanks Grit, what kind of lube did you use for it please? I defo will going to work on that one, i have way more drag on right rear when spinning wheels when car is up, left rear spin freely, right cant do one turn, and makes noise, I am exited to try this, and i am surprised how priuschat forum is helping its good to be in Toyota family ;) thank you
     
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Misalignment of rear caliper piston will cause that. That link in my signature has more info.
     
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  12. Danny black prius

    Danny black prius New Member

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    3rd Gen Rear Brake drag info? That very helpful Mr Mendel, I highly appreciate i will reply with result after visiting mechanic thanks again
     
  13. ttou68

    ttou68 Active Member

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    Keep in mind the possibility of faulty rear wheel bearing, while checking out sticky rear brakes...

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  14. Danny black prius

    Danny black prius New Member

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    Hi there Mr Mendel, today I had yearly national inspection NCT for my car and I recieved data of breaking condition etc, can you have look on that please, there is 27% imbalance
     

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  15. Danny black prius

    Danny black prius New Member

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    Hi ttou68, thanks for suggestion, how you will know is a bearing? I will go to mechanic soon, one thing I noticed is that is hard to spin rear right wheel compared to left one also noise of scratch of metal ..but no loose filling to the wheel, if bearing is damaged is getting hot?
     
  16. Danny black prius

    Danny black prius New Member

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    Hi man, you was right, I did it and there is improvement, wheel is coming back more to center, still there is that pull but now is steering better thanks for your sugestion I also learn something
     
  17. Danny black prius

    Danny black prius New Member

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    Hi there
    I have update from my case, I went to mechanic today and we checked rear brake calipers, right wheel piston was out of position, we positioned piston as per your pic, and I see improvement on fuel consumption straight away and maybe less pull to left. my question is if I should check front calipers as well? please let me know. I have next visit in garage in one week time, I am going to change one of bushings
     
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    It’s only the rears have that system.
     
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  19. Danny black prius

    Danny black prius New Member

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    Thanks a lot
     
  20. Danny black prius

    Danny black prius New Member

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    Hi all
    I have a update on my issue, ITS FIXED!!!, Turned out that front left wishbone bushing was slightly broken, now there is no pull at all, car drive perfrectly sraight, I have to admit that Its worthed to do callibration of steering sensor as per nicoj36 also, rear break aligment as per Mr Mendel instructions, my mileage before fix was around 50-52 now its around 60 \ miles per gallon so its big incrise. I want to thank you all for help. case closed, I can enjoy driving my prius!!!
     
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