Alignment issues?

saechaka · 03-26-2008, 12:09 PM

I've had my car for a little over 2 yrs now and have an issue with cornering which I'm noticing now more than before. It might be due to the fact that I have 125000 miles. My steering wheel has always been off to the right a little. If I center my steering wheel it will slowly veer towards the left. The real problem is that when cornering moderately fast to the right, my right wheel always seems to skid or lose control as traction control always kicks in. When I corner to the left I don't have this issue. I haven't noticed any wear differences between the tires as both seemed to wear on the outside more. I keep my tires at 42/40. I'm thinking I may have an alignment issue. If I do, what specification should I ask the dealer to adjust the wheels to in order for it to be correct. Thanks

sleeka · 03-26-2008, 12:25 PM

You should most certainly get a front (and rear as well) wheel alignment to standard specifications at your earliest convenience.
The technician should also check for any damaged, bent or worn suspension components before the alignment procedure.

bwilson4web · 03-26-2008, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saechaka

. . .I keep my tires at 42/40. I'm thinking I may have an alignment issue. If I do, what specification should I ask the dealer to adjust the wheels to in order for it to be correct.

You might have the wheel alignment checked the next time you rotate the tires. Ask for a printout of the values including the 'tread depth.'

As a general rule, they will do the front toe alignment with the alignment check. However, front camber and rear wheel alignment and camber are much harder and from a dealer, expensive.

If you'll bring the results back here and post them, we can offer some suggestions. But first get a hard copy of the alignment report.

GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson

jayman · 03-26-2008, 05:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saechaka

My steering wheel has always been off to the right a little. If I center my steering wheel it will slowly veer towards the left. The real problem is that when cornering moderately fast to the right, my right wheel always seems to skid or lose control as traction control always kicks in.

Alignment and Zero Point Calibration of the steering

saechaka · 11-13-2008, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwilson4web

You might have the wheel alignment checked the next time you rotate the tires. Ask for a printout of the values including the 'tread depth.'

As a general rule, they will do the front toe alignment with the alignment check. However, front camber and rear wheel alignment and camber are much harder and from a dealer, expensive.

If you'll bring the results back here and post them, we can offer some suggestions. But first get a hard copy of the alignment report.

GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson

Well, I finally had my alignment done at Bob Bridge Toyota at 147,000miles. Handling is a lot better. I can corner w/o worrying about losing traction when I turn right. But I did see the traction control light come one when hitting a tight corner going right. Steering wheel is straigter but the car stills seems to go left a little bit. If anyone can look at the printout and let me know what you think, then that would be great. Thanks

Boo · 11-13-2008, 01:25 AM

For what it's worth, your experience is exactly the same as mine (except my lousy dealer didn't give me a print out even though I had asked for it several times).

Looking forward to knowledgeable people's reading of your print out.

Patrick Wong · 11-13-2008, 11:36 AM

Regarding the traction control light coming on, what is the tread depth of your front tires? If they are getting worn, expect to see the light come on especially when it starts raining in your area.

Regarding the alignment, basically the dealer aligned the front wheels and the end result looks good - a slight positive toe-in and the camber is fine.

Prior to the alignment, you had a slight negative toe-in. One analogy is to think of trying to snow ski with your ski tips pointed out - how hard would it be to maintain control under those conditions.

The rear wheels were left unchanged since the Toyota dealer cannot adjust the rear. Total toe-in is 0.21" which is near the max spec of 0.27". This means that your car should track very stably, but mpg would be slightly improved if shims were used to bring toe-in closer to zero.

saechaka · 11-13-2008, 01:08 PM

Thx for the feedback. I was only getting about 47mpg for awhile. But my current tank since the alignment is currently at 49mpg so it seems there is improvement. Is it worth it to have the rear toe adjusted or should I be happy?

Patrick Wong · 11-13-2008, 02:37 PM

If you are picky, then you may find an independent alignment shop that will use shims to adjust the rear suspension toe-in to close to zero; this may cost $100 or so.

Otherwise, you can be happy with your alignment as-is.

bat4255 · 11-13-2008, 02:38 PM

We were burning tires up, yes they were the integrities, and we got a new set at N/C, but it continues. We just put a set of Good year Comfort treads (80K warranty) on, on Tues. and had them do an alignment ($150 at the Goodyear shop,) and found the RR was off 1/4". They had to order the shims, so we are back today.

19K miles and a 3rd set of tires, but we kept the 2nd set for summer. Hopefully this will solve the tire wear issue.

Spendy, but we've always had good luck there, plus we get free rotation for life.

I will scan and post the report when it's all done.

03-26-2008, 12:09 PM	#1
saechaka Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 183 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	Alignment issues? I've had my car for a little over 2 yrs now and have an issue with cornering which I'm noticing now more than before. It might be due to the fact that I have 125000 miles. My steering wheel has always been off to the right a little. If I center my steering wheel it will slowly veer towards the left. The real problem is that when cornering moderately fast to the right, my right wheel always seems to skid or lose control as traction control always kicks in. When I corner to the left I don't have this issue. I haven't noticed any wear differences between the tires as both seemed to wear on the outside more. I keep my tires at 42/40. I'm thinking I may have an alignment issue. If I do, what specification should I ask the dealer to adjust the wheels to in order for it to be correct. Thanks

03-26-2008, 12:25 PM	#2
sleeka Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Brisbane. Australia. Posts: 233 My Car: 2009 Prius Model: V Package: I-Tech Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Alignment issues? You should most certainly get a front (and rear as well) wheel alignment to standard specifications at your earliest convenience. The technician should also check for any damaged, bent or worn suspension components before the alignment procedure.

11-13-2008, 01:25 AM	#6
Boo Boola Boola Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: New York, NY Posts: 4,295 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 167 Thanked 302 Times in 155 Posts Friends: 22	Re: Alignment issues? For what it's worth, your experience is exactly the same as mine (except my lousy dealer didn't give me a print out even though I had asked for it several times). Looking forward to knowledgeable people's reading of your print out.

11-13-2008, 11:36 AM	#7
Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Green Valley, AZ Posts: 4,052 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #9 Thanks: 21 Thanked 212 Times in 183 Posts Friends: 44	Re: Alignment issues? Regarding the traction control light coming on, what is the tread depth of your front tires? If they are getting worn, expect to see the light come on especially when it starts raining in your area. Regarding the alignment, basically the dealer aligned the front wheels and the end result looks good - a slight positive toe-in and the camber is fine. Prior to the alignment, you had a slight negative toe-in. One analogy is to think of trying to snow ski with your ski tips pointed out - how hard would it be to maintain control under those conditions. The rear wheels were left unchanged since the Toyota dealer cannot adjust the rear. Total toe-in is 0.21" which is near the max spec of 0.27". This means that your car should track very stably, but mpg would be slightly improved if shims were used to bring toe-in closer to zero. __________________ 2006 Highlander Hybrid 4WD-i 2004 Prius 2001 Prius (sold Feb. 2008, 75K miles) 2000 Ford Mustang GT conv. Last edited by Patrick Wong; 11-13-2008 at 11:39 AM.

11-13-2008, 01:08 PM	#8
saechaka Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 183 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	Re: Alignment issues? Thx for the feedback. I was only getting about 47mpg for awhile. But my current tank since the alignment is currently at 49mpg so it seems there is improvement. Is it worth it to have the rear toe adjusted or should I be happy?

11-13-2008, 02:37 PM	#9
Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Green Valley, AZ Posts: 4,052 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #9 Thanks: 21 Thanked 212 Times in 183 Posts Friends: 44	Re: Alignment issues? If you are picky, then you may find an independent alignment shop that will use shims to adjust the rear suspension toe-in to close to zero; this may cost $100 or so. Otherwise, you can be happy with your alignment as-is.

11-13-2008, 02:38 PM	#10
bat4255 2008 Package #2 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Dodge Co. Wisconsin Posts: 306 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #2 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	Re: Alignment issues? We were burning tires up, yes they were the integrities, and we got a new set at N/C, but it continues. We just put a set of Good year Comfort treads (80K warranty) on, on Tues. and had them do an alignment ($150 at the Goodyear shop,) and found the RR was off 1/4". They had to order the shims, so we are back today. 19K miles and a 3rd set of tires, but we kept the 2nd set for summer. Hopefully this will solve the tire wear issue. Spendy, but we've always had good luck there, plus we get free rotation for life. I will scan and post the report when it's all done. Last edited by bat4255; 11-13-2008 at 02:43 PM.