5th & 6th Generation (2002-2006 & 2007-2011)Toyota Camry Discussion for years: 2002-2006 & 2007-2011
Topics of discussion range from fuel economy, safety, modifications, performance all involving America's favorite family car, the Toyota Camry.
I thought I had hitten the jackpot this afternoon. I went to Sears to get an alignment done. My TRD springs have been on for a tad over 2 weeks now. The guy asked why I wanted an alignment on a new car, I told him and he said I had to bring in the new specs for alignment. I explained that they were TRD springs and he said they wouldn't do the alignment because it required different alignment numbers than stock. I asked him to just go by stock and I would be fine with that. They declined!
I'd probably go to a place that's accustomed to working with lowered/modified cars. A week after I put TRD springs on my '02 Camry, I took it to the dealer for alignment. It's TRD, so I figure they wouldn't have a problem with it. Although they aligned it, some numbers were slightly out of the specified ranges and they blamed it on the car being lowered It's an easy avenue for them to make excuses. What a waste of money. I'll have to get another alignment done.
Ouch.. here's a friendly tip, though: Never get your car aligned anywhere that settles for "spec.." and that includes Toyota dealers. If you bring it to Toyota, give them exact numbers, or at least a much smaller specification range.. otherwise you'll be prone to getting an alignment done and not having a car that tracks straight. =/
The key is to take it back right away.. and I do mean right away. Once you start driving straight down the street, see if it tracks well. If not, flip a bitch and make 'em fix it =)
Ouch.. here's a friendly tip, though: Never get your car aligned anywhere that settles for "spec.." and that includes Toyota dealers. If you bring it to Toyota, give them exact numbers, or at least a much smaller specification range.. otherwise you'll be prone to getting an alignment done and not having a car that tracks straight. =/
The key is to take it back right away.. and I do mean right away. Once you start driving straight down the street, see if it tracks well. If not, flip a bitch and make 'em fix it =)
Wow, that's not good information to be handing out to people.
Actually, "spec" is the MANUFACTURER'S alignment specifications and they work perfectly for a street driven vehicle. It takes into account tire wear, ride, handling, etc.
I'll admit that the manufacturer's specs aren't ideal for race conditions but that isn't what's being talked about here.
That being said, if a shop puts everything within specs and it's not even from side to side you might as well not of even had an alignment.
Post your alignment specs from your alignment at the Toyota dealer. I'm interested to see what couldn't be adjusted.
sn1cko: Is your car pulling or anything? Your alignment is fine.
Nope, my car isn't pulling to any side, so I guess I'm good. I just wasn't familiar with the 'slack' of alignment numbers. Thanks for your input, much appreciated!
Nope, my car isn't pulling to any side, so I guess I'm good. I just wasn't familiar with the 'slack' of alignment numbers. Thanks for your input, much appreciated!
No problem. Camber, caster, and toe are the three main specs that are adjusted. Yours are all good.
Sears probably does not want to do it for liability reasons thanks to this sue happy country. That is the same reason they won't sell you tires with lower speed ratings or different size than what the car came with or what is recommended by the manufacturer. My car has V rated tires...when am I ever going to go 149 MPH??!!
I wouldn't let Sears put air in my tires. Their response pointed out right away that they don't even know what they're doing.
I never could figure out why someone would bring their car to a joe-blow joint instead of the dealer for stuff like alignments. The prices are hardly different and nobody knows more about a Toyota than the Toyota dealer. Same goes for all brands actually.
I've been a technician and a service manager. I always bring my Pontiac to the Pontiac dealer and my Toyota to the Toyota dealer for those type of things.
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It's an easy avenue for them to make excuses. What a waste of money. I'll have to get another alignment done.
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