2001 Avalon Alignment

[hl]

I recently came into posession of a 2001 Avalon with only 12,000 miles on it (a relative had it since new). I had an alignment done on it by a shop I have used for years on my other vehicles. They told me that the camber was off on most of the wheels and that there was not much adjustment left. They said they were able to correct it but in the future I would be looking at kits to get it in spec. I am not an alignment pro, but it seems strange to me that with such low mileage there could be issues like this already. Any comments from those with more knowledge?

[benbeaux]

Originally Posted by hl

I recently came into posession of a 2001 Avalon with only 12,000 miles on it (a relative had it since new). I had an alignment done on it by a shop I have used for years on my other vehicles. They told me that the camber was off on most of the wheels and that there was not much adjustment left. They said they were able to correct it but in the future I would be looking at kits to get it in spec. I am not an alignment pro, but it seems strange to me that with such low mileage there could be issues like this already. Any comments from those with more knowledge?

My wife's '06 with 16k needed a kit to complete the alignment. $200 later it drives better than new. This was an independant shop she took it to after the stealership said there was nothing wrong with the tires wearing on the outside edge, but that my lack of having the tires rotated was the cause.

[LifeTech]

Originally Posted by hl

I recently came into posession of a 2001 Avalon with only 12,000 miles on it (a relative had it since new). I had an alignment done on it by a shop I have used for years on my other vehicles. They told me that the camber was off on most of the wheels and that there was not much adjustment left. They said they were able to correct it but in the future I would be looking at kits to get it in spec. I am not an alignment pro, but it seems strange to me that with such low mileage there could be issues like this already. Any comments from those with more knowledge?

Although yu may be using a Good Dedicated Shop, The Alignment machine may be out of calibration. Or, your Upperstrut mounts are worn/ have sagging springs. But, Yu have such VERY LOW mileage! Nonetheless,I am not a fan of shim kits. Tire rotaion should be done every 5K miles. At 12k THAT IS NOT MUCH. Only Two rotations were needed currently. How are the tires? MY 01 Avalon XLS has 64K. I'm on my 2nd set of (4)OE "Michelin MXV4 Plus" (on OE-XLS 16 inch rims) with approx. 15K on them.
My tires are wearing perfect. Better than I have had on my other Toyotas.
If yu were to get another opinion ,I would venture to say yu would get a different opinion/spec..
Only use Shops that have "Hunter Equipment" They are THE best machines out there. But, again these are only as good as the tech using it and, as long as it is calibrated regularly by Hunter techs that are called in to service them..
I would bring it to another reputable Hunter equipped alignment shop and Say nothing to them and see what they tell yu. Yu should ALWAYS get a printout of the wheel alignment. It is very useful for your records. Any good shop WILL give it to yu showing before and after readings and the limits set forth by Toyota. This IS customary. I understand that this could be cost prohibitive to get a second opinion.. But, yu can question the equipment...politely ask when it was last calibrated. The shop might have to think for a moment, and understand that your question is a valid one!

Although, if a there was major collision frame damage that was not fixed correctly yu might have no choice.

But these "shim kits" as some call them are money makers and are most often used TOO frequently when they are NOT needed. I've seen this in several shops that I have worked in. They are not OE and Toyota does not recognize them. It is considered a suspension Modification by TMS. A band-aid that is really a quick fix that masks a suspension component(s) that is worn, that I stated above. Shim kit equipped struts(installed to the bottom ofthe strut) tend to "go out" of alignment often.

FYI, ALL loosened and adjusted fasteners(nuts/bolts/hardware MUST be torqued to OE spec with a good torque wrench. Most shops don't do this. Ask, and see if they are doing this. Or yu wil find yourself back for another wheel alignment very often. This is so common. Dealers are just as notorious. Go figure!

Good luck ,I hope this helps, without getting too technical. I could go on and on. Don't want to confuse yu. Get back to me if yu need to.


LT

[hl]

Thanks much ! This was found when I had new tires put on it and an alignment. The previous tires were wearing good-mainly age cracking and wanted better tires for the wife. I know the car from when it was purchased new and no accidents or crazy driving. This is a very busy tire/alignment shop. It was a different man on the alignment machine than always worked it for years past, so I have my suspicions especially with what you say. No Toyota dealer where I live. Local shop did give me a print. I will get car checked somewhere else before I ever ok add ons. Do you know anywhere on the web I could get the alignment specs to double check the shop's print?

[LifeTech]

Yu kind of answered this issue here.

If the tires were worn perfectly even all around, then the alignment is within spec. ...AND, the alignment mchine was not correct or out of calibration.

The wear on the tires IS the true indicator of a properly aligned vehicle.

Reading a cars tire tread is very key here and always tells a story to a keen eye. Not all mechanics care to understand this. Yu can learn like anyone else.



All things being constant,i.e., car drives straight...no pulling etc.

LT

[hl]

Got the factory specs from Toyota dealership. The alignment is fine. The local shop's alignment machine doesn't have the proper specs in it's computer. Will take proper specs to them next time.