When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Passed alignment, but rear right toe is out of spec
So I “passed” alignment but apparently my toe in the rear right is maxed out. Mind you, this vehicle was in a minor collision and sustained some damage to the rear right wheel. With that being said, what component would you say got damaged? Rear toe link/tie rod? Here’s a pic of my alignment:
tie rods, control arms (or their bushings) cv joints, etc. it could be a matter of replacing everything... was there frame damage? The energy could have been distributed to multiple parts with subtle damage to all or several.
tie rods, control arms (or their bushings) cv joints, etc. it could be a matter of replacing everything... was there frame damage? The energy could have been distributed to multiple parts with subtle damage to all or several.
i would get a rear end specialist to look at it
No frame damage at all. The wheel got some some rash and was a little bent.
See below, you can see where the rim was struck(shiny part). The tire itself was unharmed. The vehicle currently drives straight, doesn’t pull or anything so whatever is causing the tow adjustment to be maxed out has to be a single component would be my guess. Here’s the thing, where in the heck is the tie rod in the rear? I do not see one.
I guess my point is that when I had a similar issue with another vehicle after curbing the right rear rim avoiding a car coming into my lane ... the tech told me any one of those parts could be affected or multiple parts affected... and it could be a subtle bend so hard to easily identify
I guess my point is that when I had a similar issue with another vehicle after curbing the right rear rim avoiding a car coming into my lane ... the tech told me any one of those parts could be affected or multiple parts affected... and it could be a subtle bend so hard to easily identify
Ya it's subtle because they are cast aluminum parts. Aluminum bends differently than steel. Anyways, took a peak underneath the vehicle and can see the tie rod now, ya it literally looks like a control arm... however it has a eccentric washer where it mounts to the subframe. So that is definitely it. After doing some googling and youtubing, the tie rod is usually the first part to sustain damage before anything else. Basically, a mechanical fuse of sorts when it comes to suspension. The shape of the rear tie rod in particular is designed to sustain damage rather than transferring the torque to something else. So I'll pickup a tie rod, remove the old one and compare them side by side. Might find the damage that way.
The reality is OEM there is no longer ongoing adjustment to cater for curb knock damage, altered height through load carrying or lowering, fitting wide profile tires or being able to adjust to compensate for high cambered roads with excess edge wear on passenger side!
It is all to do with cost cutting and the ever increasing speed of assembly lines. New car industry’s best kept secret.
We saw the need therefore to re instate from the 90’s once again front Camber and Caster adjustment along with rear Camber (and extra Toe to compensate).
Allowing to adjust tire contact angles spread load more evenly to resolve costly premature edge tire wear. Excessive edge load can also lead to higher impact ruptured side walls.
All front and rear kits replace at same time the highest wearing bushings and are precise single wrench adjustable (accurately on alignment rack under load).
AUDI to VOLVO - KMAC Experience Of Resolving OEM Suspension Shortcomings Since 1964!
I don't think I'm going to go back to that alignment shop. Was going to replace the tie rod earlier today. Got the back end up on a jack stand and noticed that the end of the adjustment bolt was all marred up. Looked like some noob used vise grips to turn the end of the bolt because they didn't have a triple square socket to turn it from the head side. There was definitely more room for adjustment. So I'm going to hold off on touching that part and take it to legit alignment shop that works on mercs.
Heh. Went to a different shop and they were able to align everything perfectly with zero issues. Told me the toe had plenty more to adjust on top of that. So zero issues with my suspension components. You live and you learn lol.
11-08-2022, 05:10 PM
