2 Time Alignment Fail, Right Front Caster Off.

Had a shop and then a dealer align the car. Was told/hoping that I would get information from the dealer that would direct me towards what needed replacing to fix the out of caster setting. There has been impacts on that tire location. First original tire popped because my dad hit something. The replacement also seemed to have the same issue recently. Combined with the rest of the 215/50R17 Toyos being worn out and curb rash galore, I replaced the wheels and tires. I've attached the two printouts.

Should I try to replace the strut for now? Right front control arms? Both strut and arms? Then have it realigned again?

Thanks, and take care.

 

Thank you so much for the detailed input!

Yes, the mileage is that low. My dad is 89, and over the years has impacted a lot of things. (My mom while still driving had backed into the wall of her building at work. But I assume that is completely unrelated to this issue as it's the rear end). He has reported each time the front right tire went flat making an early turn and impacting something so the tire burst in catastrophic failure, then he continued to drive for a little while until he got to a location. This last time I noticed the tire flat in our driveway and immediately went on to forget it! He then drove about 3.5 miles to the office, and later called me about the flat that I had forgotten about.

The first shop does tires, wheels, and alignment. No repairs. The owner advised me that it was too little to be concerned. I took it to another reputable shop and similar response, he also made suggestion for body shop where they might fix this alignment issue by pulling with chains and or frame machine. The dealer SA said they'd give me an idea of what needs to be done when I made the appointment yesterday afternoon. I'm afraid I didn't get direction on what is bent, and advice that if it is driving okay should be fine.

It's driving okay. Just annoyed as it has brand new tires and would like to take care of them.

I saw a few complete strut assemblies yesterday afternoon:. Sensen and KYB. Monroe doesn't seem to make a complete assembly anymore. I noticed the Sensen is much lighter than the KYB. Is that a bad sign? There was also a brand called TRQ. I hope to do work myself and then have it realigned. Since the negative camber is showing up more now I assume it is bent strut? Any thoughts on aftermarket parts options that are good?

Thanks again!!!

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I've been researching on what parts to get for quite some time now. I finally bumped into some bushings that provide an amount of caster adjustment! I guess I should ask the alignment shop if they would be able to adjust the alignment with these installed...

SuperPro Control Arm Bush Kit for TOYOTA PRIUS V 2011-on - ZVW40

Much less headache then throwing a lot of different parts at her. Thoughts please? (Thank you).

 

Ordered two sets of polyurethane bushings from http://www.suspension.com . Looks like the caster adjusting set is on order for 3 to 6 weeks. Will have wait until then.

SPF3589K is for the front lower arm front bushings
SPF3866K is for the front lower arm rear bushings (with 1 side adjustable caster by +/- 0.5 °. Should get it within spec.

https://imageapi.partsdb.com.au/api/Image?urlId=hY%2BRl2935T1BzaDZGYMdswTRxP6wyJ%2F5kUPTKZlzm8U%3D

 

It's been 13 weeks since I placed the order. Still haven't received the bushings....

moto g(7) power ?

 

Bushings are FINALLY on their way. Debating to try to buy a hydraulic press to install them, before taking back for an alignment. Do I need anything stronger than the 12 ton available at Harbor Freight? I bought the different size press whatchamacallits off eBay...

moto g(7) power ?

 

The bushings arrived. Sorting through a 2-day Techinfo subscription seems like left side is not too difficult to remove the lower control arm, but instructions are sketchy for the right hand side. If it's accurate that I need to lower the "front suspension crossmember sub-assembly" to remove the right lower arm then this may be way above my abilities, especially since I don't have an engine lift or the like....

Sigh, does anyone know from experience?

 

Took a peek. The right side is blocked by the oil filter housing. The left side looks like the transmission might be in the way but instructions say it can be removed without further tinkering. Likely but not 100% sure...

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Pulled the oil filter housing very little oil came out. May not even need to add any. There were 4 bolts not 3, I was mistaken. Three look like they have blue Locktite. Not strong enough to leverage the big bolt(s) loose. Gonna try again tomorrow...

moto g(7) power ?

 

@vvillovv Thank you so much for the input!

Nothing is obvious from visual inspection, but I just know something got bent. Twice a right front tire blew under my father's driving, from impacting something. I actually took it to three shops, my favorite alignment place, another reputable mechanic, and the dealer, who promised me they'd tell me what was wrong, but unfortunately did not. My alignment shop said don't worry it is not a tire wearing issue. The second shop confirmed he can't fix it. The dealer, well, I got another alignment and no insight as promised. The funny thing is is that if they in fact did figure out what was wrong I would have likely paid them to fix it!

I got this Super Pro bushing set, as well as the front one. There are two bushings in the lower control arm and the ball joint is a separate piece. Will try to snap a picture. Supposed to correct up to 0.5 degree of castor on one side in the orientation given. It took countless weeks to get to me but what can I say COVID....

I'm having a poopoo of a time trying to get the lower control arm out. I used a jack and breaker bar to loosen the front bolt I just wasn't strong enough to get it to budge by arm force. I'll try to attach a picture of what it looks like, may have to replace the ball joint it is badly bent! (Sigh).

moto g(7) power ?

 

Here's where I'm stuck. Being on the not so muscular side of the spectrum definitely does not help, but I'm supposed to separate the lower arm from the ball joint at this point, actually per instructions prior to loosing up the inner attachments but I don't think loosening them up a bit would cause it to be stuck.

I tried jacking at a few points and it was still stuck like that:

tried lifting at the disc brake disc
tried lifting at the ball joint
tried lifting the lower control arm

All resulted in raising the entire car up vs compressing the suspension. I guess the next thing to try is to compress the strut spring to try to relieve the pressure...

moto g(7) power ?

 

@vvillovv -. Yikes!!! To be honest I missed it. Upon reviewing the first pic looks like that may have given way at any moment! For an at home mechanic without a lift I guess it would be harder to see but with a lift at the dealer to miss that I don't know what to say.

Delay in work:

Yesterday I finally opened the strut spring compressor I bought (1 yr and 1 month ago) at Harbor Freight. (We had a front air strut failure in the Panamera and I was hoping to replace it on my own but ended up paying a local independent). Low and behold it was missing a silver securing pin. So I called support, got a run around as I was honest about buying it beyond 90 days ago. Lady tried to send me to warranty I guess. Then back to spare parts none are available! So I called the store where I got it and lady transfers me to the manager who says bring it in and they'll swap it out. Sure enough they kindly did. By the time I got back home after all that I was tired and didn't feel like messing with spring forces which I'm fearful of....

Looking at possibly getting a ball joint at an AutoZone which has two versions in stock. Trying to make $50 for $10 off $50 or more promotion. Researched Mevotech but seems like warranty is not as good, plus don't know if any local stock, would have to deal with warranty shipping hassle if anything happens.

I have a universal tool kit for the bushing replacement but it is hammer type. Not good with a hammer I found a local store Econo Super Store in City of Industry sells the two kits I'm considering to try to screw press the old bushings out. I hope to use the new bushing to press the old one out and install in one step. Partly because the large diameter bushing is oddly sized around 67.5 mm if my ruler is accurate. If I use the new bushing it should match perfectly and also help line it up with the hole at the same time. I can use the larger diameter plate I have because instructions say to level the bottom of the new bushing with the bottom of the arm. Hoping that I can push the old bushings through crossing my fingers on that...

moto g(7) power ?

 

Thank you so much!

Actually, the only thing in the way was the oil filter housing. I guess the configuration of the Prius v is different? (Shrugs). I didn't take a picture of it but the housing is out. I guess I could swap in the spin on type if I really wanted to, but I use the same Fram Ultra on my iQ which is not changeable to the spin on type so for convenience I just need one filter for both cars. I'm not planning on doing the mod.

As of this morning looking at things with new sunlight the spring compressor idea did not work. (I even spent extra time lubing the threads with some Mobil 1 AP 0W-20. There's very little room to fit them and I barely got one on, tried to snug it up, only to realize the bolt basically reached the top. I decided not to try a lower rung. Anyways no hope in that direction I squeezed the ball joint downwards and pressed down on the lower control arm and it moved! I was able to separate it from the ball joint, and after pulling those two bolts (and one nut) I was able to remove the lower control arm!

Now you got me thinking on what to do, whether to try the new bushings or start replacing parts. (I have a new confidence that I can change whatever is there now)...

 

Oh, the darn lower ball joint is leaking grease. Time to replace it. San Diego is 100 miles not really practical to go that far, but thank you. I'll try to check them out with regards to shipping. A few years ago when I got my iQ I found a site called oempartstoyou.com It is the online store of Toyota San Bernardino, which had very competitive pricing and allowed local pickup, so I got a bunch of accessories from them and drove there... I ordered the o-rings for the oil filter housing along with a couple of nuts I slightly rounded (turning the wrong direction) from Toyota of Pasadena yesterday. Should be there already. Do I dare get a Duralast ball joint? Free replacement for life but....