Ever had to get a front alignment on Yaris? - Toyota Yaris Forums

CoryM · 08-31-2015, 11:02 PM

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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08-31-2015, 11:02 PM	#18
CoryM Drives: 2009 5-door, 5-speed Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: White Rock BC Posts: 687	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.