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Ride height and chassis squareness specifications

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by MarkySparky, Jun 25, 2023.

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  1. MarkySparky

    MarkySparky Junior Member

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    Hello,
    While reading here and on another forum, I have been looking for information on ride height specifications and data on chassis squareness. I want to do some measurements to ensure the car's chassis is actually square and not bent, and data would also be useful for 4 wheel alignment measurements. I do all my own work including wheel alignments(I pretty much NEVER have tire wear issues), but I can only find the basic alignment specs in my factory service manual, but I can't seem to find ride height or chassis squareness data anywhere so far. Most vehicles have various holes in the chassis which are used at the factory for assembly on jigs to hold all the pieces in the right places for spot welding, etc., and which data are often listed in auto body shop specialty service manuals for frame straightening, but I so far have no access to such books. My wife noticed her 2007 prius seems to sit a bit taller than my 2007 prius,(both base models, not touring, with same size tires on same factory rims) though both drive about the same. Both are horrible in crosswinds, and relatively poor performers on twisty roads compared to other small cars I've driven. I could also use some suggestions regarding non-stock alignment adjustments to help make the cars do better especially in the wind. Living in the Columbia Gorge area of Washington is famous for our wind. I would even be happy to make some non-stock modifications to allow for more caster and camber, as well on both ends of the cars, and maybe play around with aerodynamics a bit too, though nothing radical there. I learned alignment many years ago in advanced auto shop class in high school, and I have a Dunlop AGO40 alignment tool and digital level for caster/camber measurements as well as having done the string method many times before I got the Dunlop tools. Any proven suggestions from the group?
     
    #1 MarkySparky, Jun 25, 2023
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    I don't know that the frame specification pages still exist The last time I saw this in the Toyota manual was for my oh Lord 85 88 trueno which is not available in this country I still have the factory repair manuals for the car similar to Corolla that I'm looking at the page now has all the chassis points and the frame points marked on a page with measurements on it that I guess would be taken with a frame machine or I guess if you wanted to get a tape measure out you can measure across these points and see what you have. I do not see these anywhere for Prius or Auria or what ever it's called. Maybe the alignment people the manufacturers that make the frame tables may have this information published in their systems so that people that own these frame machines can fix these cars even if the manufacturer doesn't provide it in their paper manual or even electronic I would think strong man or the people that make these frame tables they probably have an extensive database that you purchase when you buy their frame tables because now they're all CAD controlled You just punch in the model of the car you're bringing in roll it up onto the frame table strap it down and I imagine laser points and things start touching the chassis and more data than you want starts popping up on the screen this is for frame alignment not wheel alignment per se but it will get you the measurements that you're looking to have I mean do your cars have Carfax histories that indicate wrecks do you see folded and bent metal under the car etc etc? A frame is generally not going to shift too much well did unit construction is not that poor unless it's been compromised hit dropped on concrete parking stones you know things like that and even then holds up pretty darn well If you get the four wheels to align to each other into the ground properly the frame kind of is of no consequence almost.
     
    #2 Tombukt2, Jun 25, 2023
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  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    You'll find those specs (and a great number of body/chassis measurements, specifying from what reference point to what other reference point and what the measurement should be) in the Collision Repair Manual, which you can access in any of the ways described here:

    Toyota Service Information and Where To Find It | PriusChat
     
    #3 ChapmanF, Jun 25, 2023
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  4. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    I've noticed lower sidewalls and wider tread can make a difference, like a 195/55r15. Let us know in this thread which mods work for you.

    Here is a preloaded tire calc : Rim & Tire Size Calculator. Custom Offsets - Wheel-Size.com

    Thread for some gen2 alignment ideas: Rear Alignment with Shim | PriusChat

    This link is a bit dated, may not be fully accurate, but could offer some insight : https://www.underhoodservice.com/alignment-suspension-specs-2001-2009-toyota-prius/

    Linked PDF (below) has some ride height specs :
     

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    #4 SFO, Jun 25, 2023
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