Suspension gurus out there - Results after Alignment.

[sundarpn]

To suspension gurus out here...

I got 4-wheel alignment done at AAA for my 2002 Camry XLE (4cyl, 16 inch wheel, everything stock).

In the print out - The front specs all looked good (was shown in green).

I noticed the below in red for the REAR. I am curious why they could not get the toe within spec?

Rear Left
Actual-------Before-------- specified range
-1.8 ........ -1.8 ......... -2.0 to -0.5
0.63 ......... 0.63 ........ 0.09 to 0.28


Rear Right
Actual--------Before------- specified range
-1.4 ........ -1.4 ............. -2.0 to -0.5
0.39 ........ 0.39 ............ 0.09 to 0.28


Rear
Actual ..... Before ........ Range
1.02 ....... 1.02 .......... 0.18 to 0.55 (Total Toe )
0.12 ....... 0.12 (Thrust Angle )


Should I even bother going back to them and asking abt the rear toe?

[new echo owner]

Did they even try to adjust them, since the actual and before reading hasn't change a bit?

N.E.O.

[sundarpn]

I guess not too. Should I bother going and arguing with them to check again? I mean is the above serious enough

[new echo owner]

I would say yes, it is not even close to the spec range, it is way out there. The total toe is about twice what the spec calls for; it may cause handling concern and not to mention tire wear concern. Beside, if the rear is out of adjustment, it is also possible that the front end isn't aligned correctly; some alignment machine depends on the rear readings to properly set up the front.

N.E.O.

[TRD VVTi]

It appears as if you got a front end alignment instead of a four wheel alignment.

Get your money back and go somewhere else. That's not acceptable.

AAA sucks.

[sundarpn]

Oh well thx. Hate when this happens. Not sure if they are going give money back.

[PRINCESS PEACH]

Originally Posted by sundarpn

Oh well thx. Hate when this happens. Not sure if they are going give money back.

they better. or threaten to bring to court. They scammed you, and its as simple as that.

[sundarpn]

Any pointers on how I talk to them to get my refund? (I am sure they'll say we do the alignment again, but I don't want them to touch it).

Actually saturday, they front desk guy did not even give me the alignment print out till I asked for it.

I asked him as to why I see things in Red and he gave a BS answer that it checked out fine. I noticed that they have not done anything to the rear alignment only after coming how.

[new echo owner]

There isn't a simple way of asking for a refund in a case like yours. The first thing you need to do is look at your invoice to make sure that it has four wheel alignment printed on there; otherwise, they will just deny any wrong doing. The next thing I would suggest is to check with your local AAA office, see what they recommend that you should do, explain to them that you do not want this place to work on your car again, and you just want a refund.

N.E.O.

[CharmCityES]

you got scammed....go back, tell them you are unsatisfied, get your money back and take it to your friendly local toyota dealer, where they always align to factory specs....i do at least 6 alignments a week at the dealer i work for, and i make sure everything is perfectly within spec, and i always test drive to verify that the alignment is on point
im very anal about how a car rides and handles, so i treat each car i align like my own.
always be choosy of where you get work on your car done. find a good toyota dealer or private mechanic you can trust and stick with them.