Steering Wheel Alignment

[Bigsk8r]

[font=Arial:a3eb446edf]Hello all,

I have found posts about alignment, but not why its covered under the warranty. My steering wheel cants to the right 5 - 10 degrees when the car is tracking perfectly down the road. So, I called the service department at the local Toyota dealer and got a small surprise.

The person I spoke to said that an alignment is included in the warranty for the first 12 months / 12,000 miles due to known shipping issues. I said "Really?". Yes. He explained that when the cars are put in containers to load on ships, the wheels get tightened down with straps and are under significant stress. Because of this, it is not uncommon for the imported cars to arrive out of alignment. It does not always happen, but it is covered. So if yours is a little off center but not a huge bother, have your Toyota dealer do the next oil change and have the alignment done free if you are under 12 / 12,000.

Regards,

Larry

P.S. If this has been gone over before and I missed it, my bad. [/font:a3eb446edf]

[dbarry]

Yep, you do get one alignment free under warranty. I know what you mean about the tracking issue... both of our 05's needed alignment - on mine the steering wheel wasn't straight, and on the wife's the camber was out 3 degrees.

Another comment: most alignment machines don't have the codes for the 04/05 Prius in them.... make sure the tech goes pulls down from Toyota the correct specs.

I was also told there isn't a caster adjustment on the Prius.. fact or fiction?

[efusco]

I recently learned that problems with the 'toe' can cause the steering wheel to be off. Definately take advantage in the first 12 months b/c it's a tad costly if you wait and have to pay.

[Robert Taylor]

This is pretty much in line with what I have learned these past two days.

The tire guy said that the dealer prep for delivery should include car alignment.

That isn't required as delivery prep though.

So you end up noticing it when the tires wear quick or other odd stuff.

[Bigsk8r]

Well, the alignment was done today. Here is the data:





It does appear that the toe was out and the process left the caster unaffected. I am not a suspension guy, so I have no idea what most of it means except the toe, NASCAR has taught me something!

[rick57]

Yep, you do get one alignment free under warranty. I know what you mean about the tracking issue... both of our 05's needed alignment - on mine the steering wheel wasn't straight, and on the wife's the camber was out 3 degrees.

Another comment: most alignment machines don't have the codes for the 04/05 Prius in them.... make sure the tech goes pulls down from Toyota the correct specs.

I was also told there isn't a caster adjustment on the Prius.. fact or fiction?

Fact. Only Toe-in and Camber can be changed during alignment. If Caster is out the suspension components need inspected for damage. Also,Toe-in and Camber can be checked in the rear but neither are adjustable. Just like on the front Caster,if either of these are off,check for damaged components. And one last thing; when doing a Prius alignment, A "Zero Point Calibration" must be done after changing the Toe setting.

[jeromep]

Fact. Only Toe-in and Camber can be changed during alignment. If Caster is out the suspension components need inspected for damage. Also,Toe-in and Camber can be checked in the rear but neither are adjustable. Just like on the front Caster,if either of these are off,check for damaged components. And one last thing; when doing a Prius alignment, A "Zero Point Calibration" must be done after changing the Toe setting.

I was referred to this thread from the current alignment thread.

Rick, can any alignment shop do the zero point adjustment, or does it require the hand held tester to accomplish that?

[dbarry]

What's a "zero point calibration"??

[DanMan32]

The power steering uses a torque sensor to detect when you are trying to steer, and runs an electric motor on the steering column helps you turn the wheel. Zero point calibration makes sure that when you are not turning the wheel, the PS knows that.

Also VSC probably needs to be adjusted too so that it knows when you are going straight, it doesn't think you are trying to make a turn.

[rick57]

Right you are Dan. The ECU needs to know where straight is and uses the sensor to let it know you are turning and in which direction.

To answer the other questions, I have heard you can make the adjustment without the Diagnostic Tester but have yet to find it in the repair manual. So I guess only the dealer can reset it.