Wheel Alignment Issues?

Hey all, I've been registered for a few years but this is my first post. I've seen a few posts on this subject but none I feel that help me directly.

I replaced my original POS Integrity's (at 38k) from my 08 Prius this past weekend with ComforTreads and had an alignment done. Although the ComforTreads are a MUCH better ride, I now struggle to keep the car going a in a straight line down the highway. I'm constantly making mini-adjustments to keep `er straight and things feel strange around corners and definitely when braking...I can be holding the wheel straight when braking but the car may pull right or left. The car don't have play in the steering, but it's acting that way

When first on the rack, toe readings were -0.13 front (.06 left / -0.19 right) and -0.06 rear (0.12 left / 0.25 right). My step-dad, who owns an `05 Prius, said it's best to ask for a slight toe-in of 0.05 when getting an alignment on these..., so that's what I asked for.

As you can gather, that front/right was off pretty bad (but it drove better than it does now, believe it or not) and they said they couldn't do anything w/the rear, of course. However, the 'after' read out makes it seem they only adjusted the front/right wheel as that was the only reading that changed from the initial check...they put it to 0.05 and changed the caster from -0.84 to -0.80, leaving the front/left at 0.06 and the caster at -1.11.

My step-dad's theory is "they just adjusted one side, when they should have centered the steering wheel and then adjust both sides to be in the +.05 range for each tire, otherwise the way they did it would uncenter the steering wheel and possibly make the 'steering assist' power steering hunt for center...which may account for the feeling of play in the steering." Any of you agree w/that?

Of course, the service rep. says that he didn't do it that way (TiresPlus)...but then why wouldn't they put the left to 0.05 as I asked, ya know? Could the caster settings I explained be a prob. too?

Anyway, I'm bringing it back tomorrow...really don't know what to tell this guy other than my suspicions. Based on where the rears are now, is the slight toe-in still a good idea or should I go w/factory spec? Should I get Galaxee's Shim Kit base on my current rear toe? Any suggestions/advise would be much appreciated...I really know nothing about alignment. HELP!

 

Thank you for your response! Is performing a "Zero Point VSC calibration" part of a normal alignment on cars with VSC now? Or is that only done at the dealer? I mean, a shop that says they are 'alignment specialists' should know what that is if I request that right?

 

Thanks again, but you are probably more on w/the rear alignment suspicians thought...Galaxee responded to an email of mine saying that my rear #'s were WAY OFF...more than any shim kit could fix. I emailed a PDF of the readings and am awaiting advice. Almost wonder if I should put settings back to the 'check' readings...perhaps that compensated? I got just over 38k on my original Integrities (more than most, I'm told), there were no bad wear patterns...other than both edges being bald, but smooth...even though tires were over-inflated. I don't know.

 

Like I said, 1st post...figured out how to attach, here's a PDF of the readings. 1st pg. is performed alignment, 2nd pg. is the initial alignment check. Thank you for your response/help!

 

Yes, degrees...and I don't know, to me the front #'s add up. But they don't give a total toe for the rears...just 0.12 L and 0.25 R. The Rear Right toe in seems excessive, not? Since no negative mark, I guess that'd be (toe in). I attached the PDF alignment readings in a post to 'thecritic' in this thread if you'd wanna have a look.

Otherwise, I just got off the phone w/the dealer and they said that Zero Calibration on the VSC can be crucial for the Prius...and it could be a combonation of the elect. steering assist hunting for center if TiresPlus didn't center it properly too. So I'm gonna go back to TP tonight and say "Zero VSC Calibration" and "Steering Assist" and if I get a blank stare I'm going to demand my money back and make an appt. w/the dealer. But then I've read so many bad things about guys bringing their alignment issue to the dealer on here too. Still haven't heard back from Galaxee either, hopefully will by end of day.

 

Thanks! Do you have any weigh-in on them perhaps not centering the wheel (or properly) to throw off the elect. steering assist...or the Zero VSC Calibration? Perhaps Galaxee thought my figures were in inches, not degrees (should've specified). If a shim can fix 1/4 degree, that isn't too bad...I will look up RockAuto! I also attached a PDF of the readouts in my previous reply to you if you care to take a look? Much appreciated...and that goes for everyone!

 

Thank you, what ur saying makes a lot of sense...but there is no consistent pulling, but more like unnecessary micro-adjustments made by the computer and me feeling like I have to constantly compensate in order to keep it straight. And the 'center' feels like it got really soft compared to before so feels like there's play now...the whole thing gives the car a sense of instability and is exhausting to drive the .5hrs backNforth to work now...can't imagine a long trip.

Anyway, TiresPlus had it on the rack again last night and wouldn't change any alignment from where it was...so consensus is it has to be an electronic issue. We decided the only thing left to was to let Toyota do the VSC calibration. If that fixes the problem, then TiresPlus said they'd give me my alignment money back.

Thank you all for your time/suggestions/advice. I learned a lot!

 

Hey again, I see you have an `07...wonder if the manual for my `08 is the same (why wouldn't it be?). Anyway, where did you see in your manual that a "VSC calibration should be done"? I went thru mine last night and couldn't find that anywhere. I think I'm going to go to Toyota to have this done, and if I could find where it specifically says that in my manual, that will really help my case of getting a refund on my alignment at TiresPlus since they cannot provide that service.

 

OK, so TiresPlus called me back after discussing VSC calibration w/the dealer...but they asked about tire pressure first. I should've mentioned this before, but I've read on here to run 40 fronts and 38 rears (I see some even run higher) for better MPG...I ran that not too long after buying the car and did notice a difference (could never average above 50 b4 doing so) so that's the pressure I asked for on the new tires. So whatever, I figured whats the harm in letting TiresPlus let a little air out?

I gotta say, it's much better...but still noticeable. I could actually go with it. But my fear is safety...I can still feel it make it's little adjustments, and still a little softness/play at center and weird shifts when breaking or letting off the gas, just not nearly as much. Now will those little adjustments cause a swerve when the roads ice up here in MN? I could probably handle it but not sure about my wife? And I feel that's not really fixing the problem...just lessening it.

Or, perhaps it's just breaking in new tires...and these ComforTreads are a much softer tire than da Integritys. Perhaps I should wait 5k, do a tire rotation and then play with pressure again? But then again, I don't want to find out the hard way if the VSC should still be calibrated...and if I let time go by, there's no chance of getting TP to refund that alignment...what to do?

For my family's safety, I'm leaning towards spending the money on a second opinion at the dealer...even if it don't fix it, but only if you all feel there's a good chance it will. Toyota makes no guarantees it will.

How many of you have actually NEEDED the VSC recalibrated?