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front end alignment

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by GaryD1, Jun 13, 2017.

  1. GaryD1

    GaryD1 Active Member

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    are there a problem with the front end getting out of alignment after 20k mile? The dealer tried to talk me into getting this $69.95. They said people were coming in complaining about their tires making noise and this was the cure for it. I had oil changed and tire rotation, said tires were wearing perfect. I just passed it off that my have this done later. At the very end after car was finished the service manager told me I could bring the car in anytime for the front end alignment. I will tell them next time that if there is a problem then there needs to be a recall.

    this may be something they recommend in owners manual.
     
    #1 GaryD1, Jun 13, 2017
  2. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Just trying to make an extra $69.95.

    My experience with recent cars is that they rarely need Wheel Alignments. Back in the '50/60/70s, it was often an annual event, but I don't recall doing a wheel alignment since 2000 - when I had to get a new rim from a severe pothole.
     
    #2 alanclarkeau, Jun 13, 2017
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  3. GaryD1

    GaryD1 Active Member

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    well they explained to me how they liked perfect score on the questionnaire they send out after service has been preformed. I gave all high scores but in the comment box noted that I was put under pressure about getting front end alignment, I didn't like that. I drove my gen 3 prius 165K and tires were still wearing perfect, never had it aligned. Just looking for a good line to give back to them when they start up next time. I have one more free oil change because of the factory Elite deal I got with car. I was thinking about telling them they needed to have a recall.
     
    #3 GaryD1, Jun 13, 2017
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  4. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    I suppose, theoretically, re-aligning the toe-in/out could lessen the road noise, but what would it do to handling and tyre wear if outside the manufacturers spec. Unless there is a sweet spot within the tolerances that this dealer has found. I would want guarantees that it is within tolerances and that it actually works if paying for it.
     
    #4 kithmo, Jun 14, 2017
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  5. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Agreed, toe-in/out can affect road noise, but it is best kept at manufacturer's specification, particularly on a new vehicle which is driving well and not showing tyre wear.

    Slight adjustments beyond the specification are generally only made if the equipment has changed (wider tyres, roll bars etc fitted) and done at to change steering response (maybe aiming for greater stability but at the cost of tyre wear or sluggish (or heavier) steering and I suspect increasing fuel use slightly). Reducing toe-in on one of my cars trying to improve slight tyre wear, had it wandering at speed - it went back to specification.

    Seeing there is no tyre wear, I wouldn't be touching it.

    I've had bad wheel alignments - not all technicians know what they're doing (or care).
     
    #5 alanclarkeau, Jun 14, 2017
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  6. Gen 2 Tom

    Gen 2 Tom Active Member

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    I haven't done a wheel alignment on any car in 40 years. I wouldn't do anything until I had unusually tire wear.
     
    #6 Gen 2 Tom, Jun 18, 2017
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