Rear wheel alignment?

bwilson4web · 12-22-2006, 01:00 PM

I have an NHW11 03 Prius and the alignment results from the local Toyota service center shows the driver side wheel is out of alignment. Asking to have it fixed resulted in 'eyes rolling' and being 'blown off.' So I consulted my maintenance manuals but found no procedure for fixing the alignment beyond 'fix the damage.'

Near as I can tell, the rear wheels are held on by four bolts to a beam crosses over to the other wheel. To my way of thinking, a set of small shim washers would do the trick. Certainly it would make more sense than trying to "rebend" the solid beam or replacing the wheel support beam.

It looks like I can do this without having to fully remove the wheel. I'm thinking just loosen the wheel support bolts and then put shims in one at a time to adjust the geometry. Then re-tighten the bolts and have it tested once more. I haven't found a source of shim washers but if not available in a set, a grinder and micrometer will do quite nicely

Any other ideas?

Thanks,
Bob Wilson

grasshopper · 12-22-2006, 02:17 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bwilson4web @ Dec 22 2006, 01:00 PM) [snapback]365710[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I have an NHW11 03 Prius and the alignment results from the local Toyota service center shows the driver side wheel is out of alignment. Asking to have it fixed resulted in 'eyes rolling' and being 'blown off.' So I consulted my maintenance manuals but found no procedure for fixing the alignment beyond 'fix the damage.'

Near as I can tell, the rear wheels are held on by four bolts to a beam crosses over to the other wheel. To my way of thinking, a set of small shim washers would do the trick. Certainly it would make more sense than trying to "rebend" the solid beam or replacing the wheel support beam.

It looks like I can do this without having to fully remove the wheel. I'm thinking just loosen the wheel support bolts and then put shims in one at a time to adjust the geometry. Then re-tighten the bolts and have it tested once more. I haven't found a source of shim washers but if not available in a set, a grinder and micrometer will do quite nicely

Any other ideas?

Thanks,
Bob Wilson
[/b]

Bob,

I sent you a message with info.

Grasshopper

galaxee · 12-22-2006, 02:20 PM

don't know if he's ever done a classic, but DH makes shims for the 2g prius.

they do not make shim kits for prius at all, unfortunately.

bwilson4web · 12-22-2006, 08:56 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(galaxee @ Dec 22 2006, 01:20 PM) [snapback]365745[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

don't know if he's ever done a classic, but DH makes shims for the 2g prius.

they do not make shim kits for prius at all, unfortunately.

shoot us an email- blueblewaway at yahoo dot com- with your specs.

it'll take us a while since we only have internet when i'm at work but we'll see if there's anything we can do for ya.
[/b]

My left rear wheel measures "0.30" degrees. The right measures "-0.01" degrees and is listed as OK. So when you say you need specifications, I'm assuming you want the thicknesses of the shims based upon the geometry of the bolts?

I should be able to measure the bolt centers this weekend and 'do the math.' What I'll specify are:

2 - rear shims at the thickness

If there is a minimum thickness of the shims, just add a base and supply four shims:

2 - front, minimum width
2 - rear shims at the base plus the full thickness

I guess what has me scratching my head is the absence of a shim washer kit. I'm not sure of the bolt size but they are torqued to 38 ft-lbs.

Bob Wilson

galaxee · 12-23-2006, 11:35 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bwilson4web @ Dec 22 2006, 08:56 PM) [snapback]365878[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

My left rear wheel measures "0.30" degrees. The right measures "-0.01" degrees and is listed as OK. So when you say you need specifications, I'm assuming you want the thicknesses of the shims based upon the geometry of the bolts?
[/b]

bob, just send us your alignment numbers from your printout (and factory spec numbers, which should be on there as well, since we don't know em offhand). we've got the rest.

he likes to see all the alignment readings before doing shims.

tumbleweed · 12-23-2006, 11:59 AM

I had very good luck adding shims to my '05 using the one Galaxee and DH provided as a pattern. I think it worked better than just adding thin washers because the shim is a bit longer on the top which I suspect lets it change the toe without changing the camber. This is needed because the bolts are not lined up vertically. I was able to move mine about .15 degrees using a .010 inch shim.

Having the rear toe toward the center of its range (.03 to .28 degrees on the '05) helped the tracking (how well it stays pointed where you aim it) a tremendous amount. My car went from being difficult to drive and requiring constant corrections to being very stable.

I ended up with .2 degrees of toe in on each rear wheel and had the front adjusted to .05 degrees on each side.

Hobbit suggested putting the shim template on line so people could copy it but I could never figure a way to make the size come out right when people printed it. So I haven't done anything with that idea yet. I have provided several copies to other PC people by mail, as has Galaxee I believe, and as far as I know they have had good luck using them also.

bwilson4web · 12-26-2006, 06:46 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tumbleweed @ Dec 23 2006, 10:59 AM) [snapback]366013[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

. . . Hobbit suggested putting the shim template on line so people could copy it but I could never figure a way to make the size come out right when people printed it. So I haven't done anything with that idea yet. I have provided several copies to other PC people by mail, as has Galaxee I believe, and as far as I know they have had good luck using them also.
[/b]

I have an NHW11 so the geometry is likely to be different. But I would be interested in the overall design. I would like to see what the part looks like. In the meanwhile, I've ordered a 'shim kit'.

I have been looking at the maintenance manual and there is a discussion of how to replace a "toe control link" in the rear beam axle. It takes a special tool and is quite involved. If the shims work out, it will be a much more affordable solution.

Bob Wilson

grasshopper · 12-26-2006, 09:00 AM

[attachmentid=6016][attachmentid=6015]

bwilson4web · 12-26-2006, 11:26 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(grasshopper @ Dec 26 2006, 08:00 AM) [snapback]366665[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

. . .
[/b]

That looks perfect! How much correction did you get with the .005" shim?

Bob Wilson

tumbleweed · 12-26-2006, 11:49 AM

I had mine checked with a .005 shim, just like grasshopper's, and it changed about .08 degrees or so. I replaced the .005 with a .010 and it just about doubled to approximately .17 degrees, just what you would expect. The camber didn't change noticeably.

I use brass shim stock that I bought at ACE Hardware, I think grasshopper used the same stuff. It cuts easily with a good pair of scissors but don't let your wife catch you.

12-22-2006, 01:00 PM	#1
bwilson4web 03 and 10 Prius Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Huntsville AL with 2003 Prius Posts: 3,860 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: III Package: #1 Thanks: 146 Thanked 366 Times in 202 Posts Friends: 20	I have an NHW11 03 Prius and the alignment results from the local Toyota service center shows the driver side wheel is out of alignment. Asking to have it fixed resulted in 'eyes rolling' and being 'blown off.' So I consulted my maintenance manuals but found no procedure for fixing the alignment beyond 'fix the damage.' Near as I can tell, the rear wheels are held on by four bolts to a beam crosses over to the other wheel. To my way of thinking, a set of small shim washers would do the trick. Certainly it would make more sense than trying to "rebend" the solid beam or replacing the wheel support beam. It looks like I can do this without having to fully remove the wheel. I'm thinking just loosen the wheel support bolts and then put shims in one at a time to adjust the geometry. Then re-tighten the bolts and have it tested once more. I haven't found a source of shim washers but if not available in a set, a grinder and micrometer will do quite nicely Any other ideas? Thanks, Bob Wilson __________________ - NHW11 - ZVW30 A hybrid specific web site.

12-23-2006, 11:59 AM	#6
tumbleweed Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 1,692 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: V Package: Adv. Technology Thanks: 33 Thanked 104 Times in 84 Posts Friends: 0	I had very good luck adding shims to my '05 using the one Galaxee and DH provided as a pattern. I think it worked better than just adding thin washers because the shim is a bit longer on the top which I suspect lets it change the toe without changing the camber. This is needed because the bolts are not lined up vertically. I was able to move mine about .15 degrees using a .010 inch shim. Having the rear toe toward the center of its range (.03 to .28 degrees on the '05) helped the tracking (how well it stays pointed where you aim it) a tremendous amount. My car went from being difficult to drive and requiring constant corrections to being very stable. I ended up with .2 degrees of toe in on each rear wheel and had the front adjusted to .05 degrees on each side. Hobbit suggested putting the shim template on line so people could copy it but I could never figure a way to make the size come out right when people printed it. So I haven't done anything with that idea yet. I have provided several copies to other PC people by mail, as has Galaxee I believe, and as far as I know they have had good luck using them also. __________________ Tom

12-26-2006, 09:00 AM	#8
grasshopper Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Myrtle Beach SC Posts: 413 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	[attachmentid=6016][attachmentid=6015] Attached Thumbnails

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12-22-2006, 02:20 PM	#3
galaxee resident lab rat Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: boilermaker territory Posts: 9,675 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 93 Times in 37 Posts Friends: 26	don't know if he's ever done a classic, but DH makes shims for the 2g prius. they do not make shim kits for prius at all, unfortunately.

12-26-2006, 11:49 AM	#10
tumbleweed Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 1,692 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: V Package: Adv. Technology Thanks: 33 Thanked 104 Times in 84 Posts Friends: 0	I had mine checked with a .005 shim, just like grasshopper's, and it changed about .08 degrees or so. I replaced the .005 with a .010 and it just about doubled to approximately .17 degrees, just what you would expect. The camber didn't change noticeably. I use brass shim stock that I bought at ACE Hardware, I think grasshopper used the same stuff. It cuts easily with a good pair of scissors but don't let your wife catch you.