Caster adjustment...not possible?

cyclopathic · Oct 4, 2014

hlunde said: ↑

Caster is determined by the relative position of the upper strut mount and the ball joint, and these are about 25" apart in the Prius. Thus, a change of 0.75 deg is equivalent to a change in position of the strut mount or ball joint of about 0.32 inches, and the spec is +/- 0.75 deg. This is why it's not adjustable -- it would take serious body or control arm damage to move the strut mount or ball joint by 0.32 inches. If this were to happen, the vehicle would be in a frame shop if not totaled. Wear is another factor, but obviously a ball joint with anywhere near this much wear would separate.
Click to expand...

They make adjustment plates like these:

BTW .1deg could be within loosing strut top 3 bolts and moving it around.

Stuart M Whitaker · Mar 2, 2021

SagradaFamilia said: ↑

Good Day, I've just replaced the tires on my 2010 Prius III with Michelin Defeners and had the suspension aligned by the dealer where it was purchased. All but one parameter were adjusted into specification. Right-Front Caster, however, was measured at 5.0 degrees both before and after final adjustment. This is just out of the specification of 5.1 degrees. The services representative checked with both the alignment mechanic and a senior mechanic and reported that the caster is not adjustable on this vehicle so I am left with three questions:
1) Is this true....is caster not adjustable on this model?
2) I was told that it would not affect tire wear, and my road test showed good alignment with nice tracking and breaking. Recent gas mileage has also been consistently above 50mpg. So, is there a risk with this being out of specification?
3) The car has not been in any kind of collision and I don't recall any impacts that I thought would damage the suspension. Have you any experience that might explain this oos condition.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Marty
Click to expand...

So the consensus is that the front caster isn't adjustable. My local Mr Tire tells me says neither the rear camber or toe are adjustable. Is that true?

Caster adjustment...not possible?

cyclopathic Senior Member

Stuart M Whitaker Junior Member

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Caster adjustment...not possible?

cyclopathic Senior Member

Stuart M Whitaker Junior Member