Rear tire alignment issue

[Nkiefer]

Just purchased a 2003 Tundra Acess Cab V8, and had the alignment checked by my local garage. The right rear toe is currently at -0.43, and the left rear toe is at -0.03 which obviously ok. After talking to 3 different mechanics they all had the same basic conclusion that the right rear housing as been bent and there recommendations is replacement of the rear axle. My question is, does anyone know what Toyota's spec. range is for rear tire toe ? And has anyone else had this issue, and how did they get it resolved with Toyota?

Thanks,

N Kiefer

[DJ]

Before I would replace a rear axle, I would make sure the measurements are accurate. It's time for a "second opinion" before doing surgery. Wheel alignment systems can become uncalibrated, and a "total rear toe" (which is the sum of the individual rear toe values) of -0.46 means either the axle housing is bad OR the alignment system is out of calibration.

I would go to a different shop (of course, one with Hunter equipment), tell them what you found elsewhere, and ask them when their system was last calibrated. Under these circumstances, I expect them to understand your concern. When you find one that was calibrated recently (perhaps three months or so), check it again.

Another dead giveaway of total rear toe being bad is worn rear tires because the tires would scrub slightly sideways as they roll. With toe out, this will cause a "rounded" wear on the inboard side of the tread lugs and a "feathered" or sharpened edge on the outboard side of the lugs. If that's what the tires show, and they've been on the rear axle a while, then you really do have a bad axle. If the tire wear is fine, then the axle is fine, too.

[dupont24]

There is no spec for rear toe, as long as the tires are wearing ok, leave it be!

[Nkiefer]

DJ,

Thanks for the info.