Alignment - How Much Toe In?

[Claudia]

Our month old 06 Prius is getting an alignment tomorrow afternoon. I keep seeing that the alignment, and a slight toe in, will help that "wandering all over the road" feeling I get when driving, and the constant need to correct the steering.

Exactly what degree of toe in should I request at the dealership? I'm really hoping to get this right the first time, 'cause next stop is the tire store! Anything in particular that I should know before having this done?

[majordude]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Claudia @ Sep 11 2006, 05:27 PM) [snapback]318064[/snapback]</div>

Exactly what degree of toe in should I request at the dealership?[/b]

+0.05 Front
+0.15 Rear

[Claudia]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(majordude @ Sep 11 2006, 08:52 PM) [snapback]318078[/snapback]</div>

+0.05 Front
+0.15 Rear
[/b]

I thought only the front end needed alignment - didn't know the rear could be anything but something called "shimmed", which isn't advised.

Anybody verify if I've got it right?

[kDB]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Claudia @ Sep 12 2006, 12:50 AM) [snapback]318177[/snapback]</div>

Anybody verify if I've got it right?[/b]

you are correct, but they should still check to see if it is in the specifications margin.

[Claudia]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kDB @ Sep 12 2006, 08:08 AM) [snapback]318231[/snapback]</div>

you are correct, but they should still check to see if it is in the specifications margin.
[/b]

Thanks - we'll be sure they check. I'm going to ask for a printout.

I think some people get their 000s and decimal points confused - I've seen recommendations for +.005 to +.01, and yet I think the right amount is +.05 to +.1 on each front side.

Unless somebody says otherwise in the next hour and a half, I guess we'll go and ask for a +.05 toe in on each front side, and to be sure that the rear is "within specs".

[sydgurley]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Claudia @ Sep 12 2006, 11:25 AM) [snapback]318314[/snapback]</div>

Thanks - we'll be sure they check. I'm going to ask for a printout.

I think some people get their 000s and decimal points confused - I've seen recommendations for +.005 to +.01, and yet I think the right amount is +.05 to +.1 on each front side.

Unless somebody says otherwise in the next hour and a half, I guess we'll go and ask for a +.05 toe in on each front side, and to be sure that the rear is "within specs".
[/b]

The toyota alignment sheet says front toe angle range is -0.10 to 0.10, so ideally the toe in setting should be 0 However slight toe in would be better for stability, but too much will wear the inside of the tire. My prius was +.27 on the left and -.36 on the right and was corrected to -0.03/-0.01. THis caused a major improvement in highway cruising stability/handling. Be careful about the plus and minus-- not sure of the sign convention for toe in and toe out.

[Ichiro]

Just got my Prius aligned today

Before alignment:
Front toe was "+0.12 / -0.20" and steer ahead was "0.16" ... all of these numbers were "red" on the report.

After alignment:
Front toe is "0.00 / 0.00" and steer ahead is "0.00"

Haven't had a chance to drive on the highway yet, but I'm hoping to see a big improvement in high speed stability.

[ystasino]

I got my Prius aligned today, it has 19600 miles and is an 07 model which was pulling left quite a bit.

Before alignment toe was "+0.15/-0.16"
After alignment toe was "0.00/0.02"

Now I'm guessing my numbers don't justify the conclusion but from 8 miles of commute I don't think it's pulling left now. The tech only saw minor tire wear on the left front.