Heavy Wear on Inside Rear Tires

Get your car to wheel alignment.

Your rear tires probably have too much toe out and/or negative camper. Toyota only recommends replacing rear axle to correct it but shops can probably correct it by using shims.

 

Alignment of the rear suspension (get a 4wd alignment).
Inspection of the wheels for "trueness".
Tire rotation every 5k miles.

 

Yes you should put the new tyres on before having the alignment, then have the alignment done straight away.

John (Britprius)

 

Regarding:

1) Yup. I haven't called every single dealership in US, but the few, near me, I have inquired with, all said NO. Replace rear beam.

2) Get new rear tires, then drive straight over to tire/alignment shop. The more miles you put on the new tires, the more undesired uneven wear you'll put on these tires. Alignment will be based off these uneven worn tires plus the corrected toe, via the shims (assuming shimming is still possible). Thus the importance to put very few miles on the new tires before alignment with shim correction.

The tire/alignment shop may give you same deal as Costco (tire, road hazard warranty, per tire install fee, tire disposal fee, TPMS rebuild your choice (I've never done mine and on 3rd set of tires, no problem)). Just know what Costco fee break down is, and duration of road hazard warranty for fair comparison. Costco is always running some kind of $70 off four tires (Bridgestone or Michelin).

3) Costco and most tire shops will always put the new tires on rear due to liability. I'm sure the alignment place will be happy to rotate the new tires to the front, assuming enough tread depth left. Educate yourself and read this link; info about why new tires go on rear.
​

You need to start calling tire/alignment shops to see if they do they shims for the Prius, so you know what the damage (co$t) will be. I remember Firestone Tires does, and it was $250 (part w/ labor), if I recall correctly.

READ this link, as it has info on rear shims someone did and shared his experience here on Prius Chat.

If you plan to keep your Prius till it falls apart, consider getting a lifetime (as long as I own the car) wheel alignment. I bought this for the Prius and it saved me money. $110 in 2010 at Firestone Tire. I just drop the car off once a year, walk back home, then walk back and pickup the car, getting a before and after alignment printout. New tires or any suspension component repair will bring the car in early, but it's all zero dollars for me (cost of alignment that is). Still need to get the rear shim done, but it is still within Toyota specs and fortunately I don't have your horrible toe issue causing such massive early rear tire wear.

​

 

if the wear is really bad, you may have a bent axle and shims won't help.

 

if its never hit a curb or something, it would be unlikely to be bent. hopefully it just needs a shim or 2