Alignment Question: New Camber Bolts? - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

dustoff · 05-07-2010, 02:39 AM

I just got an alignment and the shop told me that the front camber can only adjusted with new camber bolts.

I did some searching and it seems like camber can be adjusted, around 1 degree or so, but there was no consensus. One degree is enough for me. I don't want to spend money if I don't have to.

So, is camber adjustable without new bolts?

**PRINCESS PEACH** · 05-07-2010, 02:42 AM

YES. your shop is crazy trying you to spend money on camber bolts.

dustoff · 05-07-2010, 02:45 AM

Thanks for the quick reply!

I guess I need to go talk to them. Maybe I'll get a refund since they don't know what they're doing. Sigh... Finding a good alignment shop is tough. I wasted so much time today.

**PRINCESS PEACH** · 05-07-2010, 02:47 AM

what city and state?

dustoff · 05-07-2010, 03:14 AM

home

**PRINCESS PEACH** · 05-07-2010, 03:18 AM

dang dude.. but yeah u don't need camber bolts to fix stock alignment.

dustoff · 05-07-2010, 04:18 PM

So I got my refund.

I think I'm going to the dealership since they're familiar with Toyotas, and the service guy said camber bolts weren't needed. I hope they're competent. I've been to so many different shops and they've all given me different values.

I'll post the differences in a bit.

EDIT: Nevermind. Too many numbers. Rear toe seems to be aligned properly since two shops do agree on those numbers. Not exact, but close enough.

Front is another matter. Nobody agrees on any of the numbers. The only thing I know is that left and right toe are equal after the alignment. The shop that did it says it's at ~0.00. Another shop says they're at 0.07.

**PRINCESS PEACH** · 05-07-2010, 06:07 PM

Pawel062 · 05-07-2010, 08:35 PM

sound like ur getting there slowly. dealership should get it right.

***JohnGD*** · 05-07-2010, 11:01 PM

So you're stock suspension all around?

Many shops can't seem do it right even with computerized alignment equipment. I'd find a shop with later model Hunter equipment and maybe ask tuner friends for references.

http://www.hunter.com/PUB/product/AL...-T/5384T-4.htm

However, most dealer installations do use Hunter. You can ask. But there are duds there too. It's only as good as the operator I guess.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dustoff

So I got my refund.

I think I'm going to the dealership since they're familiar with Toyotas, and the service guy said camber bolts weren't needed. I hope they're competent. I've been to so many different shops and they've all given me different values.

I'll post the differences in a bit.

EDIT: Nevermind. Too many numbers. Rear toe seems to be aligned properly since two shops do agree on those numbers. Not exact, but close enough.

Front is another matter. Nobody agrees on any of the numbers. The only thing I know is that left and right toe are equal after the alignment. The shop that did it says it's at ~0.00. Another shop says they're at 0.07.

RickF · 05-08-2010, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Many shops can't seem do it right even with computerized alignment equipment.

Boy ain't that the truth. Even at some dealers they may not get it right. When I still had my '02 Camry, I took it in for an alignment as they were running a special. The car was pulling to the left during acceleration. They put it on the alignment rack, ran some diagnostic and said I needed new strut / tower and some other things... at the tune of $1100!

Needless to say I didn't have the work done (this was at the main dealer in West Palm Beach, FL). I called my friend at 'Weber Wheel' (who has been in business since late 1940's and use Bear equip.) and told them about my problem. He said bring it in and they'd check it out. It was a simple adjustment -- and no cost to me. No more pulling to the left.

***JohnGD*** · 05-08-2010, 08:41 PM

Sheeeesh!! No wonder people call them "stealers". That's too bad, giving everyone else in the trade a bad name.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickF

Boy ain't that the truth. Even at some dealers they may not get it right. When I still had my '02 Camry, I took it in for an alignment as they were running a special. The car was pulling to the left during acceleration. They put it on the alignment rack, ran some diagnostic and said I needed new strut / tower and some other things... at the tune of $1100!

Needless to say I didn't have the work done (this was at the main dealer in West Palm Beach, FL). I called my friend at 'Weber Wheel' (who has been in business since late 1940's and use Bear equip.) and told them about my problem. He said bring it in and they'd check it out. It was a simple adjustment -- and no cost to me. No more pulling to the left.

dustoff · 06-07-2010, 07:15 AM

Just thought I would update this thread. I went to the dealership and they did a great job. Much easer to keep the car straight. All numbers are right on target except camber on a rear wheel. It's still in spec.

Only $10 more than the other guys. I should've gone there in the first place instead of running around wasting my time.

Pawel062 · 06-07-2010, 09:18 PM

good that u finally got it done properly. sometimes dealerships can't be beat.