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Alignment question.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by priuszilla, Apr 25, 2011.

  1. priuszilla

    priuszilla Junior Member

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    Hi guys/gals. I am new to the forum and I am impressed with the Prius' community/support.

    I have a 2008 Prius and I recently replaced my Goodyear Integritys with Michelin Energy Savers. I highly recommend the Energy Savers due to comfort, quietness, and steering.

    My question is I just got a Firestone lifetime alignment and my rear wheel tires are out of alignment. The mechanic suggested shims on both sides of my rear wheels. The cost would be $22 bucks for shims on each side along with $45 bucks for labor on each side to install the shims. The total cost of the shims would cost almost as much the lifetime alignment (L. Alignment = $180, Shims install = $140).

    These are the numbers for the rear:

    The camber is good, the toe is out

    RL: .47 degrees RR: .30 degrees Specified range should be .03 to .28

    Total toe: .77 degrees Specified range should be .05 to .55 degrees

    Should I just save my money and ride it out as is or should I pay the shop the money to install shims, so that the rear alignment can be straightened?
     
    #1 priuszilla, Apr 25, 2011
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Re: Question about alignment.

    I think that your toe-in should be corrected with shims as it is way off. It would be great if you can get total toe-in to be around 0.30 degrees.

    You might find that your mpg is slightly improved with this adjustment.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Apr 25, 2011
    ydpplqbd likes this.
  3. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    That's a fair price for rear shim installation.

    Stock specs are kind of sloppy so the "non-adjustable" rear end will meet spec most of the time.

    They should be able to install the shims and adjust the rear to tighter than stock specs while they are at it. Lacking any further information, have them set it as close to mid range as they can.

    If they are using the standard aftermarket shims (they probably are) they can adjust camber at the same time for no extra labor. Take advantage of that too. Set it at mid range on the spec unless you have other information on how to reach your desired alignment characteristics.

    Please post which shop you went to, there might be others in your area wanting to get the rear wheels aligned. The average alignment shop usually doesn't do that.
     
    #3 xs650, Apr 25, 2011
  4. priuszilla

    priuszilla Junior Member

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    Re: Question about alignment.

    Thanks Patrick for the quick reply. Should I only shim the rear left or should I do both sides? If I don't put shims on the rear do you think my rear tires will wear out super fast?
     
    #4 priuszilla, Apr 25, 2011
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Re: Question about alignment.

    I think you should shim both sides because you want total toe-in to be 0.30 degrees which implies each side should be 0.15 degrees.

    It would be reasonable to expect that tire life will be reduced with excessive toe-in. Whether or not they will wear out "super fast" is hard to say.
     
    #5 Patrick Wong, Apr 25, 2011
  6. xs650

    xs650 Senior Member

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    Re: Question about alignment.

    What Patrick said.

    The good news is that the relative alignment between the rear wheels should last along time unless you crash the rear wheels into something you shouldn't.

    If they are using the standard Automotive Specialties composite shims, be sure to re-check the bolt torque at the recommended interval. The shop should do that for free if you point the requirement out to them.
     
    #6 xs650, Apr 25, 2011
  7. priuszilla

    priuszilla Junior Member

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    Thanks for the info. xs650. The Firestone that I got the lifetime alignment done was at

    281-578-9744
    727 S Mason Rd
    Katy, TX 77450

    I appreciate all of the help. I just wanted to make an informed decision before any shop starts working on my car.
     
    #7 priuszilla, Apr 25, 2011
  8. priuszilla

    priuszilla Junior Member

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    Re: Question about alignment.

    Thanks guys for all of the help. I guess I'll have to get it done soon before I go on a trip across Texas.
     
    #8 priuszilla, Apr 25, 2011
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