Should I realign? - Toyota Yaris Forums

fmicle · 11-25-2009, 02:19 PM

I have just installed the Tokico blues and Progress springs, which I believe dropped the car by 1.4 inches front and back. I have a couple of questions:

1. Should I get a re-alignment?
2. AFAIK, we can only adjust the front alignment on the hatchback, correct?

schleppy · 11-25-2009, 02:45 PM

As a general rule of thumb you should always re-align the car after suspension modifications.

fmicle · 11-25-2009, 03:19 PM

Yeah, that's what I thought anyway, but I was hoping to learn more along the way

I wonder if I should just bring the car to a shop and let them do whatever, or should I tell them what to do? I only know that I could safely go 1 degree negative camber without tire wear in the front, but that's where my knowledge ends. So I was hoping for more feedback, so I can learn something

The Yaris is my daily driver, so the main focus is on just having a little fun while driving around. I take longer trips from time to time, weekend getaways, visiting relatives, etc so I'm looking for a decent compromise.

Altitude · 11-25-2009, 03:54 PM

There are lots of posts here about this. Some people have had the alignment, others not. Some say it depends on the amount of drop you get, others say you should always do it. I guess the only way to know for sure is to take it to a shop and have it checked and done if it's needed.

I've got a set of TRD springs to put on and I don't plan on doing the alignment unless I notice a problem.

fmicle · 11-25-2009, 04:25 PM

But by the time you notice, say, uneven tire wear, wouldn't it be too late? For the tires anyway?

Altitude · 11-25-2009, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fmicle

But by the time you notice, say, uneven tire wear, wouldn't it be too late? For the tires anyway?

Yes it would, but I really hate taking my car to any shop for service unless there is a known problem that I can't fix myself. Plus, the members that have installed TRD springs and didn't get an alignment don't report any problems so I'm willing to take that chance.

fmicle · 11-25-2009, 05:19 PM

I fully understand, I don't feel compelled to take it to the shop either, the car feels just fine

But I guess I'll do it...

PHXDEMON · 11-25-2009, 06:53 PM

Yes, always realign after you drop it. Guy I bought my Yaris from did a drop with no aligment. 6 months after owning it I was shelling out 400 bucks for 2 new front tires.

PHXDEMON · 11-25-2009, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fmicle

But by the time you notice, say, uneven tire wear, wouldn't it be too late? For the tires anyway?

It was for me. My car has a lip kit and df 210s so it is hard to see the inner wall of the tire. Went to change the oil and saw the inner wall of my driver front tire was down to teh steel belt

Loren · 11-25-2009, 07:52 PM

At the very least, you should check and adjust the front toe. It WILL be off if you've lowered the car that much.

YarisSedan · 11-25-2009, 07:55 PM

I never got a alignment till a year after i dropped my car on trd springs. Didnt notice any real ill effects or tire wear. I did however notice a difference in handling and cornering after i had the alignment finally done. If i could do it over again i would have just got the alignment done in the first place.

thebarber · 11-25-2009, 08:39 PM

wait a week for the springs to settle...then get an alignment...

advocate · 11-25-2009, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebarber

wait a week for the springs to settle...then get an alignment...

^^

Just got mine back from the alignment shop fmicle. My steering wheel ended up becoming crooked.

And just as Loren predicted, the mechanic told me my toe was off.

fmicle · 11-25-2009, 10:23 PM

Alright, alright, it's on the list for Saturday

MUSKOKA800 · 11-26-2009, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Altitude

Yes it would, but I really hate taking my car to any shop for service unless there is a known problem that I can't fix myself. Plus, the members that have installed TRD springs and didn't get an alignment don't report any problems so I'm willing to take that chance.

My sedan required alignment corrections after installing TRD suspension. That said, it could have been slightly off from the factory although the tires looked fine when the suspension was upgraded (at ~12,000 kilometers). Now at close to 60,000 kilometers and the stock rubber is still wearing evenly albeit nearly done. Can't wait to get some sticky sneakers on there next year. Winter boots in play now.

thebarber · 11-26-2009, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MUSKOKA800

My sedan required alignment corrections after installing TRD suspension. That said, it could have been slightly off from the factory although the tires looked fine when the suspension was upgraded (at ~12,000 kilometers). Now at close to 60,000 kilometers and the stock rubber is still wearing evenly albeit nearly done. Can't wait to get some sticky sneakers on there next year. Winter boots in play now.

falken RT615's are on uber sale right now....but really only if you know someone in the states.....$50 instant rebate on discount tire PLUS $80 mail-in if you're in the US

either way, they're about 250 w/ free shipping in the lower 48 for 195-60-14's ;)

MUSKOKA800 · 11-26-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebarber

falken RT615's are on uber sale right now....but really only if you know someone in the states.....$50 instant rebate on discount tire PLUS $80 mail-in if you're in the US

either way, they're about 250 w/ free shipping in the lower 48 for 195-60-14's ;)

I'll wait until late winter/spring to start shopping and only buy from US if the brand offers a NA wide warranty (Michelin, Goodyear do, Bridgestone, Yokohama don't). Having a snowmobile buddy whose business is in Lewiston NY (5 minites from the border) has been handy for US online shopping (eBay etc). He uses a local tire shop who order from TireRack.

ddongbap · 11-26-2009, 02:24 PM

When I slammed my car and added camber to about three degrees, that gave me around a degree and a half of toe in. One and a half set of tires later, I then decided to get an alignment.

11-25-2009, 02:19 PM	#1
fmicle Drives: 2007 Yaris LB Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Jose, CA, USA Posts: 685	Should I realign? I have just installed the Tokico blues and Progress springs, which I believe dropped the car by 1.4 inches front and back. I have a couple of questions: 1. Should I get a re-alignment? 2. AFAIK, we can only adjust the front alignment on the hatchback, correct? __________________ 5% Tint Rear \| Micro Image LED Ignition Light Kit

11-25-2009, 03:19 PM	#3
fmicle Drives: 2007 Yaris LB Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Jose, CA, USA Posts: 685	Yeah, that's what I thought anyway, but I was hoping to learn more along the way I wonder if I should just bring the car to a shop and let them do whatever, or should I tell them what to do? I only know that I could safely go 1 degree negative camber without tire wear in the front, but that's where my knowledge ends. So I was hoping for more feedback, so I can learn something The Yaris is my daily driver, so the main focus is on just having a little fun while driving around. I take longer trips from time to time, weekend getaways, visiting relatives, etc so I'm looking for a decent compromise. __________________ 5% Tint Rear \| Micro Image LED Ignition Light Kit

11-25-2009, 04:25 PM	#5
fmicle Drives: 2007 Yaris LB Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Jose, CA, USA Posts: 685	But by the time you notice, say, uneven tire wear, wouldn't it be too late? For the tires anyway? __________________ 5% Tint Rear \| Micro Image LED Ignition Light Kit

11-25-2009, 05:19 PM	#7
fmicle Drives: 2007 Yaris LB Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Jose, CA, USA Posts: 685	I fully understand, I don't feel compelled to take it to the shop either, the car feels just fine But I guess I'll do it... __________________ 5% Tint Rear \| Micro Image LED Ignition Light Kit

11-25-2009, 07:52 PM	#10
Loren What? Drives: 2007 Yaris LB Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Safety Harbor, FL Posts: 1,006	At the very least, you should check and adjust the front toe. It WILL be off if you've lowered the car that much. __________________ ----------------------- Loren@InvisibleSun.org -----------------------

11-25-2009, 02:45 PM	#2
schleppy I love momentum. View User's Garage Drives: 2009 Yaris LB, Red Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 587	As a general rule of thumb you should always re-align the car after suspension modifications.

11-25-2009, 03:54 PM	#4
Altitude Drives: '08 LB MT Bayou Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,671	There are lots of posts here about this. Some people have had the alignment, others not. Some say it depends on the amount of drop you get, others say you should always do it. I guess the only way to know for sure is to take it to a shop and have it checked and done if it's needed. I've got a set of TRD springs to put on and I don't plan on doing the alignment unless I notice a problem.

11-25-2009, 06:53 PM	#8
PHXDEMON View User's Garage Drives: 2007 Red Liftback Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 885	Yes, always realign after you drop it. Guy I bought my Yaris from did a drop with no aligment. 6 months after owning it I was shelling out 400 bucks for 2 new front tires.

11-25-2009, 07:55 PM	#11
YarisSedan Drives: 08 Yaris Sedan Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: California - Bay Area Posts: 2,773	I never got a alignment till a year after i dropped my car on trd springs. Didnt notice any real ill effects or tire wear. I did however notice a difference in handling and cornering after i had the alignment finally done. If i could do it over again i would have just got the alignment done in the first place. __________________ http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3210549

11-25-2009, 08:39 PM	#12
thebarber daily driver View User's Garage Drives: the #wrecho Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 5,877	wait a week for the springs to settle...then get an alignment... __________________

11-25-2009, 10:23 PM	#14
fmicle Drives: 2007 Yaris LB Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Jose, CA, USA Posts: 685	Alright, alright, it's on the list for Saturday __________________ 5% Tint Rear \| Micro Image LED Ignition Light Kit

11-26-2009, 02:24 PM	#18
ddongbap Banned Drives: yw calls me douche and racist. Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: hay Posts: 2,183	When I slammed my car and added camber to about three degrees, that gave me around a degree and a half of toe in. One and a half set of tires later, I then decided to get an alignment.