Bridgestone Turanzas may contribute to left pull problem

[pantyninja]

Background: I took a nail in the right rear tire last week. I went to get it loked at. I need a new tire and the shop quoted me 223 for the tire 250 installed. Seemed steep to me. So I went to TireRack.com to find the cost of an OEM replacement. The cost is 168 so the price looked good.

IMPORTANT: While looking at the reviews of the tire, I came across a post of a 2004 Acura TL owner who complains of the same thing. A pull problem!!! I know Acura has thier suspension sorted out well. My brother has a 2003 CL Type S

I pasted the post below. It pretty much nails the problem I have seen with my Solara right on the head. Not a fierce pull but correction is always needed. Also a 2004 Sienna owner drills them for their snow ability. Not surpirising that!!

Is there anyone out there who has had the left pull problem, replaced their tires, and still has the problem. Changing tires might be a good experiment while waiting for a TSB to be issued.

Vehicle: 2004 Acura TL null
Location: Northville, mi
Driving Style: Fast and Aggressive
Miles driven on tires: 4,000 Driving Condition: Combined Highway/City
Reviewer's Overall Ratings: 6.29 out of 10
Review Submitted: 2003-12-05


Im with the other 2004 Acura TL owners who have posted negative comments. These tires flat spot when parked, but the vibration goes away after only a few miles and Ive noticed this is less of a problem after a few thousand miles on the tires. My primary complaint is a lack of on-center, straight ahead feel. When driving on in a straight line the car has to be "steered" constantly on a good day and drifts during crosswinds on a bad day. I know my alignment is dead on and I seriously doubt that Acura screwed up the design of the TLs suspension so Im thinking of replacing my tires after only 3000 miles of use. Otherwise the grip is good, the tires are quiet and I havent driven them in snow yet. Play it safe and look for another tire.

[tiredolddog]

I have 20,000 miles on my 2003 and I have the same problem with the car pulling. Can't wait to replace the rubber at 40,000 miles. I hate Bridgestones... can't wait to get some Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires on Sabrina.

[fotodad]

I had a nail go through the front, driver-side OEM tire on my 04 SLE. I ended up buying a complete set of Michelin Pilot A/S. Guess what? Before the Michelins, the car pulled to the left; after the Michelins, the pull was gone!

But now I'm reading (the TSB thread) that Toyota is suggesting modifications to the front strut assembly.

Man, I don't know what to believe! All I know is the pull is gone.

I plan to post a review of the Michelins quite soon. I just want to get more winter miles on them before I make any determinations on performance.

[More Power]

I really appreciate you folks continuing to post feedback on this issue. The only reason I'm holding off buying an '04 SE V6 Sport is this pulling to the side issue. I wonder if I should just hold off buying until Toyota gets this sorted out? It's a bummer cause I really need to do this while I've got some time off work for Christmas. The sales brochure says you can get either the performance tires or all season tires. I'm going to ask the dealer if I can use this option to avoid the Turanza tires if possible. Anyone think that'll solve this pulling problem as I don't know yet what kind the other tire option is. Thanks again. I really like the car.

[fotodad]

Power,

Here's what I'd do:

Order the Solara model you want. Make some agreeable statement on your contract that you want to swap the Bridgestone factory tires with whatever tire you want in its place. You may have to pay more or you may have a credit, depending on the tires you elect to put on the Solara. Also put on the contract you have full right of refusal of the car if it doesn't meet your standards AFTER you have driven it. Then, when you take delivery, drive the car. If it pulls left and you still want the car, have them do the "fix" that seems to be working with other Solaras. If you don't like the car for whatever reason, tell them, "Thanks, but not thanks."

I love my Solara. There is NO WAY I could wait once I had my heart set on getting one. Best of luck. Hope you're a Solara owner soon! By the way, what color are you going to get?

[More Power]

Power,

Here's what I'd do:

Order the Solara model you want. Make some agreeable statement on your contract that you want to swap the Bridgestone factory tires with whatever tire you want in its place. You may have to pay more or you may have a credit, depending on the tires you elect to put on the Solara. Also put on the contract you have full right of refusal of the car if it doesn't meet your standards AFTER you have driven it. Then, when you take delivery, drive the car. If it pulls left and you still want the car, have them do the "fix" that seems to be working with other Solaras. If you don't like the car for whatever reason, tell them, "Thanks, but not thanks."

I love my Solara. There is NO WAY I could wait once I had my heart set on getting one. Best of luck. Hope you're a Solara owner soon! By the way, what color are you going to get?

Thanks for the solid advice. I'll definitely put all that in the contract. My son bought his 2000 Celica from this dealer and the sales manager is a real straight shooter. So I think they'll back up their product and the pulling bugs will turn out ok. I'm leaning toward the absolutely red color. The folks at TRD anticipate that the supercharger will be available soon. I'm excited 'cause I've got the money saved up. Little by little, he he. The folks at Quaife feel sure that the limited slip differential that they sold for the prior generations of the Solara will be available for the 04s within a year. The limited slip should give much better traction in the wet and snow, off the line, and in curves. This should be a great combo of all around performance and comfort as well. I'm getting excited about this as only a real gearhead like myself can! I am choosing the Solara over a G35 coupe. It sort of surprises me, but I like the Solara better. Especially as a daily driver and performance for the money. That's a real compliment from me as I still think the G35C is a great car. Thanks again.

[fotodad]

Power,

Sounds like you've got everything under control! It's interesting you chose the Solara over the G35 coupe. So did I! The all-wheel drive G35 coupe is nice, but it's not $10K nicer. And I like the interior of the Solara much more. Actually, I like the exterior of the Solara more, too!

PS Please let everyone know how all those proposed modifications go. That differential idea sounds like a smart idea. How much do you think it will cost when it's all said and done?

[slingshot]

I too chose the Solara over the G35 coupe after salivating over it for a long time. I felt the Solara was just a lot more comfortable inside and had better ergonomics and was better for northern weather (didn't want to do tire changes). Also it let me save $10G's. The G35C I thought was just not practical enough for an only car. It would make a great second car though.

[slingshot]

BTW, the all-wheel drive G35 is only the four door sedan, not the coupe. The coupe will never be made all-wheel drive. The sedan's looks I think just don't compare at all to the coupe or to the Solara.

[fotodad]

I too chose the Solara over the G35 coupe after salivating over it for a long time. I felt the Solara was just a lot more comfortable inside and had better ergonomics and was better for northern weather (didn't want to do tire changes). Also it let me save $10G's. The G35C I thought was just not practical enough for an only car. It would make a great second car though.

Ditto! I especially agree with your comment about the northern weather. While we haven't had a lot of snow, YET, in Wisconsin, when the roads have been snow covered I've had absolutely no problems gettin' to where I'm goin'.

[Guest]

Power,

Sounds like you've got everything under control! It's interesting you chose the Solara over the G35 coupe. So did I! The all-wheel drive G35 coupe is nice, but it's not $10K nicer. And I like the interior of the Solara much more. Actually, I like the exterior of the Solara more, too!

PS Please let everyone know how all those proposed modifications go. That differential idea sounds like a smart idea. How much do you think it will cost when it's all said and done?

The AWD version wasn't available when I did my test drive at Infiniti. My understanding is, though, that it's for the sedan only, as another poster pointed out. The AWD would add weight, but, even worse, as you said, the G35 gets real pricey with AWD. That's why I thought the limited slip differential (LSD) for the Solara is a good compromise. By causing both front wheels to pull instead of just one, as in the stock Solara, the LSD effectively doubles your traction. I've raced a lot with limited slip diffs, mostly drag racing (at sanctioned tracks), and the traction improvement makes me feel like I wouldn't be without a one - if a good one were available at a reasonable price. The added traction on snow/ice, in the wet, and for taking curves is great, also. The rep thinks the current Quaife Solara v-6 limited slip may (not sure yet) also work for the autotranny 04 or they can easily adapt it. If so the current LSD lists for $1095, but he said he would discount it and sell if to me for $876. If you get a mechanic to install it, I'm guessing it'll cost another $300 to $400. I haven't priced that part yet. So it's not cheap, but having had the LSD traction advantages in past, I just don't want to go back to an open differential. Not if I can avoid it. The Quaife seems to be a real quality, LSD. It comes recommended by cdssolara on this website who has one in his prior generation Solara V6. It is a racing quality LSD and I think the rep said it would handle up to 650 hp. More traction is just as important as More Power to me, though it hurts me to admit it, ha. And with the Eaton derived, roots type, positive displacement TRD supercharger creating a real torque monster, the LSD seems essential IMO. With the supercharger and limited slip, the Solara should be faster than a stock G35C, it'll still cost less, and I like it better, anyway. Kind of the same way with the supercharger. I've also raced with forced induction in the past and it just gets into your blood, so-to-speak, and it's hard to go back and be without it. Kind of like an old friend or better still, a good woman, ha. And the TRD dual exhaust in the SEMA thread in this forum looks good to me. And rumor has it that quite a bit of More Power may be potentially lurking in the exhaust system. This could get to be serious giggles, here, if true.

[Guest]

Power,

Sounds like you've got everything under control! It's interesting you chose the Solara over the G35 coupe. So did I! The all-wheel drive G35 coupe is nice, but it's not $10K nicer. And I like the interior of the Solara much more. Actually, I like the exterior of the Solara more, too!

PS Please let everyone know how all those proposed modifications go. That differential idea sounds like a smart idea. How much do you think it will cost when it's all said and done?

The AWD version wasn't available when I did my test drive at Infiniti. My understanding is, though, that it's for the sedan only, as another poster pointed out. The AWD would add weight, but, even worse, as you said, the G35 gets real pricey with AWD. That's why I thought the limited slip differential (LSD) for the Solara is a good compromise. By causing both front wheels to pull instead of just one, as in the stock Solara, the LSD effectively doubles your traction. I've raced a lot with limited slip diffs, mostly drag racing (at sanctioned tracks), and the traction improvement makes me feel like I wouldn't be without a one - if a good one were available at a reasonable price. The added traction on snow/ice, in the wet, and for taking curves is great, also. The rep thinks the current Quaife Solara v-6 limited slip may (not sure yet) also work for the autotranny 04 or they can easily adapt it. If so the current LSD lists for $1095, but he said he would discount it and sell if to me for $876. If you get a mechanic to install it, I'm guessing it'll cost another $300 to $400. I haven't priced that part yet. So it's not cheap, but having had the LSD traction advantages in past, I just don't want to go back to an open differential. Not if I can avoid it. The Quaife seems to be a real quality, LSD. It comes recommended by cdssolara on this website who has one in his prior generation Solara V6. It is a racing quality LSD and I think the rep said it would handle up to 650 hp. More traction is just as important as More Power to me, though it hurts me to admit it, ha. And with the Eaton derived, roots type, positive displacement TRD supercharger creating a real torque monster, the LSD seems essential IMO. With the supercharger and limited slip, the Solara should be faster than a stock G35C, it'll still cost less, and I like it better, anyway. Kind of the same way with the supercharger. I've also raced with forced induction in the past and it just gets into your blood, so-to-speak, and it's hard to go back and be without it. Kind of like an old friend or better still, a good woman, ha. And the TRD dual exhaust in the SEMA thread in this forum looks good to me. And rumor has it that quite a bit of More Power may be potentially lurking in the exhaust system. This could get to be serious giggles, here, if true.

[More Power]

Power,

Sounds like you've got everything under control! It's interesting you chose the Solara over the G35 coupe. So did I! The all-wheel drive G35 coupe is nice, but it's not $10K nicer. And I like the interior of the Solara much more. Actually, I like the exterior of the Solara more, too!

PS Please let everyone know how all those proposed modifications go. That differential idea sounds like a smart idea. How much do you think it will cost when it's all said and done?

That's my post above. I guess I wasn't properly logged in and now it won't let me delete the "guest" version. Sorry for the duplication, doh!.
The AWD version wasn't available when I did my test drive at Infiniti. My understanding is, though, that it's for the sedan only, as another poster pointed out. The AWD would add weight, but, even worse, as you said, the G35 gets real pricey with AWD. That's why I thought the limited slip differential (LSD) for the Solara is a good compromise. By causing both front wheels to pull instead of just one, as in the stock Solara, the LSD effectively doubles your traction. I've raced a lot with limited slip diffs, mostly drag racing (at sanctioned tracks), and the traction improvement makes me feel like I wouldn't be without a one - if a good one were available at a reasonable price. The added traction on snow/ice, in the wet, and for taking curves is great, also. The rep thinks the current Quaife Solara v-6 limited slip may (not sure yet) also work for the autotranny 04 or they can easily adapt it. If so the current LSD lists for $1095, but he said he would discount it and sell if to me for $876. If you get a mechanic to install it, I'm guessing it'll cost another $300 to $400. I haven't priced that part yet. So it's not cheap, but having had the LSD traction advantages in past, I just don't want to go back to an open differential. Not if I can avoid it. The Quaife seems to be a real quality, LSD. It comes recommended by cdssolara on this website who has one in his prior generation Solara V6. It is a racing quality LSD and I think the rep said it would handle up to 650 hp. More traction is just as important as More Power to me, though it hurts me to admit it, ha. And with the Eaton derived, roots type, positive displacement TRD supercharger creating a real torque monster, the LSD seems essential IMO. With the supercharger and limited slip, the Solara should be faster than a stock G35C, it'll still cost less, and I like it better, anyway. Kind of the same way with the supercharger. I've also raced with forced induction in the past and it just gets into your blood, so-to-speak, and it's hard to go back and be without it. Kind of like an old friend or better still, a good woman, ha. And the TRD dual exhaust in the SEMA thread in this forum looks good to me. And rumor has it that quite a bit of More Power may be potentially lurking in the exhaust system. This could get to be serious giggles, here, if true.

[More Power]

Power,

Sounds like you've got everything under control! It's interesting you chose the Solara over the G35 coupe. So did I! The all-wheel drive G35 coupe is nice, but it's not $10K nicer. And I like the interior of the Solara much more. Actually, I like the exterior of the Solara more, too!

PS Please let everyone know how all those proposed modifications go. That differential idea sounds like a smart idea. How much do you think it will cost when it's all said and done?

That's my post above. I guess I wasn't properly logged in and now it won't let me delete the "guest" version. Sorry for the duplication, doh!.
The AWD version wasn't available when I did my test drive at Infiniti. My understanding is, though, that it's for the sedan only, as another poster pointed out. The AWD would add weight, but, even worse, as you said, the G35 gets real pricey with AWD. That's why I thought the limited slip differential (LSD) for the Solara is a good compromise. By causing both front wheels to pull instead of just one, as in the stock Solara, the LSD effectively doubles your traction. I've raced a lot with limited slip diffs, mostly drag racing (at sanctioned tracks), and the traction improvement makes me feel like I wouldn't be without a one - if a good one were available at a reasonable price. The added traction on snow/ice, in the wet, and for taking curves is great, also. The rep thinks the current Quaife Solara v-6 limited slip may (not sure yet) also work for the autotranny 04 or they can easily adapt it. If so the current LSD lists for $1095, but he said he would discount it and sell if to me for $876. If you get a mechanic to install it, I'm guessing it'll cost another $300 to $400. I haven't priced that part yet. So it's not cheap, but having had the LSD traction advantages in past, I just don't want to go back to an open differential. Not if I can avoid it. The Quaife seems to be a real quality, LSD. It comes recommended by cdssolara on this website who has one in his prior generation Solara V6. It is a racing quality LSD and I think the rep said it would handle up to 650 hp. More traction is just as important as More Power to me, though it hurts me to admit it, ha. And with the Eaton derived, roots type, positive displacement TRD supercharger creating a real torque monster, the LSD seems essential IMO. With the supercharger and limited slip, the Solara should be faster than a stock G35C, it'll still cost less, and I like it better, anyway. Kind of the same way with the supercharger. I've also raced with forced induction in the past and it just gets into your blood, so-to-speak, and it's hard to go back and be without it. Kind of like an old friend or better still, a good woman, ha. And the TRD dual exhaust in the SEMA thread in this forum looks good to me. And rumor has it that quite a bit of More Power may be potentially lurking in the exhaust system. This could get to be serious giggles, here, if true.

[angelo]

Power,

Sounds like you've got everything under control! It's interesting you chose the Solara over the G35 coupe. So did I! The all-wheel drive G35 coupe is nice, but it's not $10K nicer. And I like the interior of the Solara much more. Actually, I like the exterior of the Solara more, too!

PS Please let everyone know how all those proposed modifications go. That differential idea sounds like a smart idea. How much do you think it will cost when it's all said and done?

The AWD version wasn't available when I did my test drive at Infiniti. My understanding is, though, that it's for the sedan only, as another poster pointed out. The AWD would add weight, but, even worse, as you said, the G35 gets real pricey with AWD. That's why I thought the limited slip differential (LSD) for the Solara is a good compromise. By causing both front wheels to pull instead of just one, as in the stock Solara, the LSD effectively doubles your traction. I've raced a lot with limited slip diffs, mostly drag racing (at sanctioned tracks), and the traction improvement makes me feel like I wouldn't be without a one - if a good one were available at a reasonable price. The added traction on snow/ice, in the wet, and for taking curves is great, also. The rep thinks the current Quaife Solara v-6 limited slip may (not sure yet) also work for the autotranny 04 or they can easily adapt it. If so the current LSD lists for $1095, but he said he would discount it and sell if to me for $876. If you get a mechanic to install it, I'm guessing it'll cost another $300 to $400. I haven't priced that part yet. So it's not cheap, but having had the LSD traction advantages in past, I just don't want to go back to an open differential. Not if I can avoid it. The Quaife seems to be a real quality, LSD. It comes recommended by cdssolara on this website who has one in his prior generation Solara V6. It is a racing quality LSD and I think the rep said it would handle up to 650 hp. More traction is just as important as More Power to me, though it hurts me to admit it, ha. And with the Eaton derived, roots type, positive displacement TRD supercharger creating a real torque monster, the LSD seems essential IMO. With the supercharger and limited slip, the Solara should be faster than a stock G35C, it'll still cost less, and I like it better, anyway. Kind of the same way with the supercharger. I've also raced with forced induction in the past and it just gets into your blood, so-to-speak, and it's hard to go back and be without it. Kind of like an old friend or better still, a good woman, ha. And the TRD dual exhaust in the SEMA thread in this forum looks good to me. And rumor has it that quite a bit of More Power may be potentially lurking in the exhaust system. This could get to be serious giggles, here, if true.

The stability control of SLE actually does the job of a LSD in all but the performance applications. VSC even gives you a 4wd traction in the corners.