alignment question
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 853
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From: New York
alignment question
on the first gen LS, what is a better toe setting for the alignment ? toe-in or zero toe ?
I had new tires put on at sears and they did the alignment on the 93LS as well. the alignment was done by the dealer before and was perfect, now the guy at sears aligned the car by only adjusting the toe settings and made it 0.16 on both front tires, versus -0.05 on both front wheels that the setting was before.
the steering is not as responsive and feels stiffer now at low speeds.
I went back and complained about it but I was told that before it was out of spec and now it isn't so there's not much that they can do ! the machine used was a hunter machine.
any advice would be appreciated.
I had new tires put on at sears and they did the alignment on the 93LS as well. the alignment was done by the dealer before and was perfect, now the guy at sears aligned the car by only adjusting the toe settings and made it 0.16 on both front tires, versus -0.05 on both front wheels that the setting was before.
the steering is not as responsive and feels stiffer now at low speeds.
I went back and complained about it but I was told that before it was out of spec and now it isn't so there's not much that they can do ! the machine used was a hunter machine.
any advice would be appreciated.
Factory settings are always the best. Im not 100% on what they are off the top of my head, but what you're talking about, stiff steering, is a result of toe-in. Personally, my cars are set to zero toe... The tech may be right about how it was out of spec, but the specs he set it to, should be factory. It may be within factory tolerances though.. and thats why they're saying they cant do anything. In actuality, they can... they may be a little off the factory middle mark for the setting... do you happen to have a scan of the alignment sheet?
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 853
Likes: 0
From: New York
this is what the print our reads for the front tow.
range 0.05 to 0.24
..........before after
left : -0.05 0.16
right: -0.08 0.16
now what I'm trying to figure out is when we say "zero" toe, are we referring to 0.00 readout or are we talking about 0 angle which is the middle of 0.05 and 0.24 range on the readout ?
based upon the readout the alignment was off the range towards negative on both sides, but rode perfectly. I told them to ask me before making any changes to the alignment but by the time the car came out they had already made the adjustments !
range 0.05 to 0.24
..........before after
left : -0.05 0.16
right: -0.08 0.16
now what I'm trying to figure out is when we say "zero" toe, are we referring to 0.00 readout or are we talking about 0 angle which is the middle of 0.05 and 0.24 range on the readout ?
based upon the readout the alignment was off the range towards negative on both sides, but rode perfectly. I told them to ask me before making any changes to the alignment but by the time the car came out they had already made the adjustments !
Last edited by Lexs400; Nov 6, 2004 at 03:58 PM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,497
Likes: 1
From: Texas
IMO it is worth the extra money to have the car aligned at the dealer.
I've had NTB get it wrong (causing severe outside wear on the fronts) and I've also been told that I need a new tie rod (when I did not - some local shop trying to make extra $$ I guess). My dealership charged me $90 but I figure I will make that back since my tires will last longer and I will get better gas mileage.
On the GS (I assume the LS, too) you can adjust camber, caster and toe. I would rather have the Lexus dealer get all that into spec with their computer. And drive the pimpin loaner car in the meantime. lol.
I've had NTB get it wrong (causing severe outside wear on the fronts) and I've also been told that I need a new tie rod (when I did not - some local shop trying to make extra $$ I guess). My dealership charged me $90 but I figure I will make that back since my tires will last longer and I will get better gas mileage.
On the GS (I assume the LS, too) you can adjust camber, caster and toe. I would rather have the Lexus dealer get all that into spec with their computer. And drive the pimpin loaner car in the meantime. lol.
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