Wheel Alignment help - Toyota Yaris Forums

phaznet · 02-27-2015, 03:51 PM

Hey friends, I need your input(s).

Took my car to get a wheel alignment today (steering wheel is slightly to right when driving in a straight line), not a lot, but enough for me to notice.

No adjustment was done to it. Mechanic said it was all within spec.
Is that right?

Also, when speaking to the mechanic about the *unnecessary* 105$ wheel alignment, he told me it may have something to do with the lowering springs.

I'm thinking of bringing it to another local mechanic (trusted) to see if they recommend a wheel alignment (done elsewhere).

Anybody have similar issues?
Any help would be appreciated!

Phaznet

IllusionX · 02-27-2015, 04:27 PM

I'm not sure if straight line is affected by camber. Mine was out of spec, and I had camber shims added to get 0 camber at the front.

CoryM · 02-27-2015, 04:48 PM

When doing an alignment you set the steering wheel to wherever you want, then adjust the tie-rods so that the tires are pointed the correct amount to keep the steering wheel there when driving. Meaning, you can set the steering wheel wherever you want (even off center). Yarii are odd because there is no cluster to line up with so what you feel is centered may be different than the techs idea. My suggestion would be to show the tech where you feel center is, and have him adjust it to that. Also, within spec does not mean perfect. They charged you for an alignment, they should have it close to perfect. If you show me the print out, I can advise further (I've done thousands of alignments).
Cheers.

CoryM · 02-27-2015, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IllusionX

I'm not sure if straight line is affected by camber.

Yes, cross-camber or cross-caster (difference side to side), can cause the vehicle to lead left or right. 0.5° different is usually the max allowed.
Cheers.

MUSKOKA800 · 02-27-2015, 04:57 PM

Weight of the driver can also be significant. I'm heavy so the alignment machine was set to account for that. Tracks straight as an arrow.

phaznet · 02-27-2015, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MUSKOKA800

Weight of the driver can also be significant. I'm heavy so the alignment machine was set to account for that. Tracks straight as an arrow.

I'm 140 soaking wet, shouldn't be an issue.

The printout doesn't show much, but here's what they wrote:

Description: Front Wheel alignment, check front and rear wheel angles. No adjustment. Environmental service fee.

Also, am I right in my suspicion that the lowering springs have nothing to do with it?

CoryM · 02-27-2015, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phaznet

I'm 140 soaking wet, shouldn't be an issue.

The printout doesn't show much, but here's what they wrote:

Description: Front Wheel alignment, check front and rear wheel angles. No adjustment. Environmental service fee.

Also, am I right in my suspicion that the lowering springs have nothing to do with it?

OK. The printout I was after is the one that shows the actual angles. They may not have given it to you. Lowering does affect alignment, and you should always have it checked/done afterwards. Lots of places will check for free, and only charge if it is required. May want to have one of them try. If you get the printout I can advise more.
Cheers.

phaznet · 02-27-2015, 05:59 PM

I had a wheel alignment done right after I put on the springs about 3 years ago. The winters a quite rough here, lots of pot holes, curbs hidden by snow etc. I definitely thought I was overdue for one since I haven't done a wheel alignment in the past in 3 years.

Thanks for the help guys/girls!

MoneyT8 · 02-27-2015, 08:46 PM

I've just had my alignment done and now the steering wheel is tilting to the left when driving highspeeds. I've been thinking about taking it back and getting it re-checked but no warranty or just taking it some place else. It drives me insane I mean I thought the steering wheel is suppose to be dead straight. I hope it's not damaging my tires. So stressful.

MUSKOKA800 · 02-28-2015, 12:10 PM

If you're up for a drive. You might gain by contacting Scott at Can-Alignment. He's just north of Hamilton on hwy 6.

http://www.canalignment.com/

2005rs · 02-28-2015, 05:04 PM

I had my echo to the same garage three times in a row to correct alignment after redoing the front struts. One of the mechanics suggested rotating the tires. The manager wanted to 'adjust the alignment out of spec to make it work right'. I rotated the tires and it worked! Don't know why, but it did

phaznet · 03-01-2015, 08:20 PM

Did you rotate the front tires only, or all 4?

CoryM · 03-02-2015, 12:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2005rs

I had my echo to the same garage three times in a row to correct alignment after redoing the front struts. One of the mechanics suggested rotating the tires. The manager wanted to 'adjust the alignment out of spec to make it work right'. I rotated the tires and it worked! Don't know why, but it did

Tires can definitely cause leads/pulls. It's possible that now your tire lead is going the opposite direction of your car's lead, and cancelling it out. If a car comes into my shop with no impact-damage, I always rotate the front tires left to right first to diagnose if it is a tire-lead, or an alignment-lead.
Cheers.

phaznet · 03-02-2015, 11:19 AM

I will have to try this. Will post back with results.

phaznet · 03-03-2015, 12:52 PM

Rotated front tires, no discernible difference :(

Exiwolfman · 03-03-2015, 05:52 PM

Go back to the shop have the alignment redone rear is non adjust unless u shim it its mainly toe set and that is all one really needs or can do on a yaris unless u shim ...my yaris is on teins and all I had to do was reset toe my front camber is at 0 and rear with in spec.
I say take it back !

02-27-2015, 03:51 PM	#1
phaznet View User's Garage Drives: '07 Yaris Sdn Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: YGK Posts: 151	Wheel Alignment help Hey friends, I need your input(s). Took my car to get a wheel alignment today (steering wheel is slightly to right when driving in a straight line), not a lot, but enough for me to notice. No adjustment was done to it. Mechanic said it was all within spec. Is that right? Also, when speaking to the mechanic about the unnecessary 105$ wheel alignment, he told me it may have something to do with the lowering springs. I'm thinking of bringing it to another local mechanic (trusted) to see if they recommend a wheel alignment (done elsewhere). Anybody have similar issues? Any help would be appreciated! Phaznet

02-27-2015, 04:27 PM	#2
IllusionX It's the illusion you see View User's Garage Drives: 07 Yaris Sedan Aero Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Brossard, QC Posts: 3,888	I'm not sure if straight line is affected by camber. Mine was out of spec, and I had camber shims added to get 0 camber at the front. __________________

02-27-2015, 04:57 PM	#5
MUSKOKA800 Drives: '08 Yaris Sedan, Aero Package Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,720	Weight of the driver can also be significant. I'm heavy so the alignment machine was set to account for that. Tracks straight as an arrow. __________________ TRD Upgrades: 18" Wheels wrapped in 215/35/18 PZero's, Sportivo Shocks/Struts, Lowering Springs, Swaybar, Axle-Back Exhaust, Oil Cap, Rad Cap, Signage. Aftermarket Goodies: Piggies SS, K&N Drop-In, Blitz S/C, DC Header, NST Pulley) Toyota Options/Accessories: Sport Pedal Covers, Sport Shift Knob, Ipod Interface, Summer Mats, Winter Mats, Cruise Control, Auto-Dim Mirror, Echo steelies with winter boots.

02-28-2015, 12:10 PM	#10
MUSKOKA800 Drives: '08 Yaris Sedan, Aero Package Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Burlington, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,720	If you're up for a drive. You might gain by contacting Scott at Can-Alignment. He's just north of Hamilton on hwy 6. http://www.canalignment.com/ __________________ TRD Upgrades: 18" Wheels wrapped in 215/35/18 PZero's, Sportivo Shocks/Struts, Lowering Springs, Swaybar, Axle-Back Exhaust, Oil Cap, Rad Cap, Signage. Aftermarket Goodies: Piggies SS, K&N Drop-In, Blitz S/C, DC Header, NST Pulley) Toyota Options/Accessories: Sport Pedal Covers, Sport Shift Knob, Ipod Interface, Summer Mats, Winter Mats, Cruise Control, Auto-Dim Mirror, Echo steelies with winter boots.

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02-27-2015, 04:48 PM	#3
CoryM Drives: 2009 5-door, 5-speed Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: White Rock BC Posts: 687	When doing an alignment you set the steering wheel to wherever you want, then adjust the tie-rods so that the tires are pointed the correct amount to keep the steering wheel there when driving. Meaning, you can set the steering wheel wherever you want (even off center). Yarii are odd because there is no cluster to line up with so what you feel is centered may be different than the techs idea. My suggestion would be to show the tech where you feel center is, and have him adjust it to that. Also, within spec does not mean perfect. They charged you for an alignment, they should have it close to perfect. If you show me the print out, I can advise further (I've done thousands of alignments). Cheers.

02-27-2015, 05:59 PM	#8
phaznet View User's Garage Drives: '07 Yaris Sdn Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: YGK Posts: 151	I had a wheel alignment done right after I put on the springs about 3 years ago. The winters a quite rough here, lots of pot holes, curbs hidden by snow etc. I definitely thought I was overdue for one since I haven't done a wheel alignment in the past in 3 years. Thanks for the help guys/girls!

02-27-2015, 08:46 PM	#9
MoneyT8 Drives: White Yaris Sedan Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: USA Posts: 85	I've just had my alignment done and now the steering wheel is tilting to the left when driving highspeeds. I've been thinking about taking it back and getting it re-checked but no warranty or just taking it some place else. It drives me insane I mean I thought the steering wheel is suppose to be dead straight. I hope it's not damaging my tires. So stressful.

02-28-2015, 05:04 PM	#11
2005rs Drives: 2005 Echo Rs Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Beaverton ON Posts: 48	I had my echo to the same garage three times in a row to correct alignment after redoing the front struts. One of the mechanics suggested rotating the tires. The manager wanted to 'adjust the alignment out of spec to make it work right'. I rotated the tires and it worked! Don't know why, but it did

03-01-2015, 08:20 PM	#12
phaznet View User's Garage Drives: '07 Yaris Sdn Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: YGK Posts: 151	Did you rotate the front tires only, or all 4?

03-02-2015, 11:19 AM	#14
phaznet View User's Garage Drives: '07 Yaris Sdn Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: YGK Posts: 151	I will have to try this. Will post back with results.

03-03-2015, 12:52 PM	#15
phaznet View User's Garage Drives: '07 Yaris Sdn Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: YGK Posts: 151	Rotated front tires, no discernible difference :(

03-03-2015, 05:52 PM	#16
Exiwolfman View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Yaris Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Wasaga beach Posts: 1,617	Go back to the shop have the alignment redone rear is non adjust unless u shim it its mainly toe set and that is all one really needs or can do on a yaris unless u shim ...my yaris is on teins and all I had to do was reset toe my front camber is at 0 and rear with in spec. I say take it back !