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Old 08-27-2015, 12:53 PM   #1
RutherfordmanX
 
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Ever had to get a front alignment on Yaris?

Just curious how many folks have found the need to do a front end alignment on their Yaris. I am at 305,000 miles and have never had one done since I bought my 2008 new. No problems with uneven tire wear or anything. the only thing I can figure is the car is so light that maybe it is hard to mess it up. With the trucks and jeeps I have owned they were in need quite often.
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Old 08-27-2015, 01:38 PM   #2
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I've changed my shocks twice and after that, alignment has been required
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Old 08-27-2015, 08:13 PM   #3
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^this.
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Old 08-27-2015, 10:25 PM   #4
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Yarii are pretty gentle on tires/alignments in general. Your alignment should only change from:
-removing/installing parts
-impacts (potholes, curbs, idiots etc)
-suspension wear (bushings, joints, springs sagging etc).

If you avoid those things, your alignment should be good for a long time on a Yaris.
Cheers.
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Old 08-30-2015, 05:36 PM   #5
why?
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Every time you install new tires you should get an alignment.

I installed coilovers, so I needed a few.
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Old 08-30-2015, 05:54 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by why? View Post
Every time you install new tires you should get an alignment.

I installed coilovers, so I needed a few.
LOL.....first time I hear this one. And no!!!

Cory pretty much made the points.
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Old 08-30-2015, 05:54 PM   #7
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I think the only thing you can adjust is toe in.
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Old 08-30-2015, 06:46 PM   #8
why?
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LOL.....first time I hear this one. And no!!!

Cory pretty much made the points.
Really? lol must be because all the tire shops around here always do it for free anyways.

Quote:
Originally Posted by bronsin View Post
I think the only thing you can adjust is toe in.
Really? Still toe is important, but i thought you could adjust camber or caster too on a stock car.
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Old 08-30-2015, 07:00 PM   #9
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In 33 years I have not ever gotten an alignment from changing tires.

I guess pit crews are doing it wrong on race tracks. And yes being properly aligned on a race car is even more important then for the street.
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Old 08-30-2015, 07:12 PM   #10
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Quote:
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In 33 years I have not ever gotten an alignment from changing tires.

I guess pit crews are doing it wrong on race tracks. And yes being properly aligned on a race car is even more important then for the street.
lol, kind of a different situation. You better believe they go through every wheel/tire set and make sure they are perfect.

Like I said, thought it was automatic, but could just be from local tire shops doing it automatically when you buy tires.
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Old 08-30-2015, 07:55 PM   #11
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I switched from summer OEM size tires that came with my car about 2 years ago to winter thread. Did 20,000km in one winter on them then switched to summer semi slicks 205/45R16 I got used and evenly worn. Finished those off this summer and now on a new set of tires. No alignment yet and none of my tires wear uneven. Your wheels don't determine your alignment.

All I'm saying is I agree with Cory. Maybe they do it where you live but in general it's not required. Now if you lower your car yes you should get your alignment, camber, etc... verified. ;)
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Old 08-30-2015, 08:08 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by why? View Post



Really? Still toe is important, but i thought you could adjust camber or caster too on a stock car.
I mean, on a Yaris. Caster and camber have no adjustment as far as I know on this car.
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Old 08-30-2015, 08:39 PM   #13
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I mean, on a Yaris. Caster and camber have no adjustment as far as I know on this car.
Your right with stock set up no adjustments. Front you need to instal camber plates to make changes and rear it's washers or spacers.
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Old 08-31-2015, 10:51 AM   #14
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Camber is adjustable by adjusting the bolts connecting the knuckle to the strut (Toyota themselves sell the eccentric bolts needed, just bought two a couple of weeks ago). Toe is adjustable by adjusting the tie rods (just replaced those too). I do not see an easy way to adjust caster.

So you can set camber and toe for certain on the front. The rear, being a trailing axle, probably has almost no adjustments.
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Old 08-31-2015, 11:12 AM   #15
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Just had a shop align mine after lowering. He confirmed that stock, there is no rear adjustment and only toe in the front.
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Old 08-31-2015, 11:36 AM   #16
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I'm not trying to be a pain, but the shop manual for the Yaris lists doing a camber alignment on page SP-5:

ADJUST CAMBER
NOTICE: Inspect the toe-in after the camber has been adjusted.
(a) Remove the front wheel.
(b) w/ ABS:
(1) Remove the bolt and separate the speed
sensor and flexible hose.
(c) Remove the 2 nuts on the lower side of the shock absorber.
HINT:
Keep the bolt from rotating while loosening and removing the nuts.
(d) Clean the installation surfaces of the shock absorber and steering knuckle.
(e) Provisionally install the 2 nuts (Step A).
(f) Fully push or pull the axle hub in the direction of the required adjustment (Step B).
(g) Tighten the 2 nuts.
Torque: 164 N*m (1,672 kgf*cm, 121 ft.*lbf)
HINT:
Keep the bolt from rotating while loosening and removing the nuts.
(h) w/ ABS:
(1) Install the flexible hose and speed sensor with the bolt.
Torque: 29 N*m (300 kgf*cm, 22 ft.*lbf)
NOTICE:
Install the flexible hose and speed sensor without twisting them.
(i) Install the front wheel.
Torque: 103 N*m (1,050 kgf*cm, 76 ft.*lbf)
(j) Check the camber. If the measured value is not within the specification, calculate the required adjustment amount using the formula below.
(Camber adjustment amount) = Center of specified range - Measured value
Check the combination of installed bolts. Select appropriate bolts from the table below to adjust the camber to within the specified range.
HINT:
Try to adjust the camber to the center of the specified range.

SP-7 shows the bolts to use for various camber settings. It is adjustable from -1.5 to +1.5 degrees.

Maybe I should bring the service manual with me when I get my alignment done. :) I only know that it's adjustable because when I called to buy new bolts the parts guy at Toyota asked me what camber range I wanted. Since I just wanted to bolt the thing back together, I didn't care (I figure the guy doing the alignment will get to put in the correct bolts instead). But now I'm wondering if they'll actually bother... :(
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Old 08-31-2015, 10:23 PM   #17
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Yaris has camber and toe adjustments. Caster is affected by both of those. The biggest symptom of bad alignment is tire wear so if it's not broke don't fix it
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Old 08-31-2015, 11:02 PM   #18
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I probably average 2-3 alignments per day, and have done hundreds (thousands?) of alignments. Toe is the main angle to worry about for tire wear. Typically it will wear out the inside edge of the tire (only about 1"). This is why it is adjustable on virtually every vehicle. Shops will suggest to check your alignment with every tire change, and the toe is often out. Where alignments become a very wise idea is when that $100 will save you more than $100 in tire wear. Around here the average set of 4 tires is around $1000 so it usually pays off to have your alignment done. On a Yaris with cheap tires, and generally being gentle on tires, it is less critical. And less likely to be cost effective. On a Yaris I would wait until there has been an impact, parts installed, or evidence of toe wear seen.

Front camber is adjustable. Typically you buy a $20 camber bolt to do it. This allows you to change camber by +/- 1.5° usually. Camber rarely causes tire wear before the customer complains about other symptoms. If it does, it's usually from having too little negative camber, causing the tires to roll over in corners. Tip: anytime you loosen the two strut-to-knuckle bolts, push in on the knuckle when tightening to gain as much negative camber as possible. Most people need more negative camber than the fuel-efficient engineers design in.

Rear camber and toe are not adjustable, and the available shims to do so are poorly designed. I wouldn't run them in my car (or any of my customers).

Cheers.
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