'04 Solara T.S.B. issued!

[Guest]

Unfortunately I don't know what was exactly done to the car. I dealt with Longo Toyota in El Monte, California (626) 580-6000. My Service Manager was Paul Wareham, not sure who the mechanics were. Hm, sounds like this might be a California thing?

[royaloakranger]

It's official. California head office issued the left pull TSB about a week ago. Just spoke to the largest Toyota dealership in the U.S. He said they turn both of the front strut springs 1 and 1/2 inches counter clockwise.

I'm taking mine in Monday morning.

Will post results

[fotodad]

It's official. California head office issued the left pull TSB about a week ago. Just spoke to the largest Toyota dealership in the U.S. He said they turn both of the front strut springs 1 and 1/2 inches counter clockwise.

Do you have a TSB number? And/or could post pictures of the TSB?

Thanks! Great news! Since I got new tires my drift has disappeared, but i think I may still have the "fix" done anyway.

[bigpow]

What TSB?
-www.alldata.com still shows no TSB.
-My local service manager doesn't know about any Solara TSB.







Too many people fall in love with this car.
-I know I did.
Does it justify all the hassle that come with it?
-I know it's not worth it for me.

Don't know about you folks, but I bought this car because of one reason - the famous reliability and durability of Toyota cars. With all these problems, is it worth paying Toyota's premium price? -Not for me.

And for you who think all these problems can be fix (even if hundreds of TSB were released), what make you think the car will be trouble free after some time? -I don't think so too.

I said what I have to say.

[angelo]

is there really a TSB? any No. or scanned pic?

[slingshot]

With all these problems, is it worth paying Toyota's premium price? -Not for me.
And for you who think all these problems can be fix (even if hundreds of TSB were released), what make you think the car will be trouble free after some time? -I don't think so too.

I said what I have to say.

UMMM, ALL these problems? I think you've finally gone over the edge. Last I heard from you, your ONE big problem was the left drift. If you think this one problem is bad, you should see how many BIG problems other car makers are having these days. For example, how would you have liked buying an expensive Acura and having the transmission die on you while on the highway more than once? My friend at work is on his third transmission! We haven't even found out just how many Solaras are affected by this left drift (probably not many) so can't qualify how reliable it is. But if you look at Consumer Reports for Toyota cars over the years, you will see that they have a great record. Go by that. If you got a lemon, it's Murphy's Law.

[royaloakranger]

Correction: Was misinformed about the TSB being issued. I'm a bit new to all this and now ready to ask more specific questions. Thanks Bigpow and Fotodad.

Called another Toyota dealership service rep today and asked for a left pull update. Unfortunately, there is no TSB yet.

However, they had 2 engineers from Toyota California head office in and they turned the strut supports about 1 inch counter clockwise then fitted on a new 3 dot camberbolt 90105A0005. They then realigned the vehicle to spec.

They have done this fix to 5 Solaras and 1 Camry and reported that they are all running dead solid perfect. Also, they now do this to every Solara they sell before it leaves the lot.

They faxed this fix to my dealership to have the work done on Monday.

Until then.....

[bigpow]

With all these problems, is it worth paying Toyota's premium price? -Not for me.
And for you who think all these problems can be fix (even if hundreds of TSB were released), what make you think the car will be trouble free after some time? -I don't think so too.

I said what I have to say.

UMMM, ALL these problems? I think you've finally gone over the edge. Last I heard from you, your ONE big problem was the left drift. If you think this one problem is bad, you should see how many BIG problems other car makers are having these days. For example, how would you have liked buying an expensive Acura and having the transmission die on you while on the highway more than once? My friend at work is on his third transmission! We haven't even found out just how many Solaras are affected by this left drift (probably not many) so can't qualify how reliable it is. But if you look at Consumer Reports for Toyota cars over the years, you will see that they have a great record. Go by that. If you got a lemon, it's Murphy's Law.

Another Solara lover I pressumed?

I'm getting my money back.

And you'll remember me if and when your Solara has "problems".

My car is at the dealer again today.

[bigpow]

Correction: Was misinformed about the TSB being issued. I'm a bit new to all this and now ready to ask more specific questions. Thanks Bigpow and Fotodad.

Called another Toyota dealership service rep today and asked for a left pull update. Unfortunately, there is no TSB yet.

However, they had 2 engineers from Toyota California head office in and they turned the strut supports about 1 inch counter clockwise then fitted on a new 3 dot camberbolt 90105A0005. They then realigned the vehicle to spec.

They have done this fix to 5 Solaras and 1 Camry and reported that they are all running dead solid perfect. Also, they now do this to every Solara they sell before it leaves the lot.

They faxed this fix to my dealership to have the work done on Monday.

Until then.....

I repeat... do not let these two hotshots from TMS go anywhere near your car. Their names are "Q" and Paul.
They did some experiment with my car (they took the car for 50miles ride!) and the car is still pulling to the left, steering wheel is off center, and don't know what else...

I think they don't know what they're doing... just experimenting and collecting credits!

Also they adjusted my steering wheel, so that at freeway speed, if the steering wheel is centered then the car would not pull to the left... but at city driving, if I center the steering wheel - then the car would pull to the right... go figure!

The adjustments are rotate the struts... bullshit!

You're in North Cali, right?

Take my words.

[fotodad]

Bigpow,

I think you hit the nail on the head! What was a slight problem from the plant (the left drift issue) has been severely compounded and complicated by your dealership. While I tend to agree with others who say Toyota quality is among the best, I can see why you are angry and want your money back. Rather than getting your money back (providing that is a viable option), what about getting a different Solara. I have/had the drift problem, but I still have every confidence in my Solara and with Toyota. And, trust me, I am as critical and pesimistic as they come!

If you calmly sat down with the owner of the dealership and a Toyota rep, explained your dissatisfaction with Toyota and the dealership, and cited your evidence and how you have tried on countless occassions to get this fixed, I think/hope they'd be reasonable with you. I doubt you'd get your money back, but I bet you'd be driving away with a new Solara.

I'll cross my fingers for you. Good luck.

[slingshot]

Fotodad,
I completely agree with your suggestion to Bigpow and would do the exact same thing if I was him.

Bigpow,
You have nothing to lose by trying this.

[Buckeyegirl]

However, they had 2 engineers from Toyota California head office in and they turned the strut supports about 1 inch counter clockwise then fitted on a new 3 dot camberbolt 90105A0005. They then realigned the vehicle to spec.

They have done this fix to 5 Solaras and 1 Camry and reported that they are all running dead solid perfect. Also, they now do this to every Solara they sell before it leaves the lot.

This is exactly what they did to my car and it took care of the problem.
I even posted the part numbers of the camber bolts & nuts used. When I posted this everyone told me this would not fix the problem that they were getting both struts and spring seats replaced to cure the problem.

[bigpow]

I got the car back from the dealer just now.

They re-centered the steering wheel
-I agree. It is centered now (as far as I can tell).

They changed oil & oil filter. Also washed and vacuum the car. Rotated tires.
-It was not vacuumed. I told the service manager that he has some liar technician. No big deal. I hope they did change the oil & filter. I could care less about the tire rotation

Left pull problem?
-Still there. Alive and kicking! The service manager offered me a cup of coffee before he explained the situation. He promised to "keep me informed".


fotodad, Thanks for your advise. It's very sound & logical. I will follow it.

[royaloakranger]

Just got back from a one hour get together with a head mechanic at a private alignment shop. He said that the fix that I mentioned peviously (where the strut assembly is turned 1 inch counter clockwise with the new camber bolt and original alignment specs) is only masking the true underlying problem.

He advised me to be patient and wait for the official TSB to come out and begin the arbitration procedure at the same time (carrot and stick).

I'm cancelling my Monday morning appointment and making an appointment with the regional manager instead.

This beautiful car deserves to be fixed properly.