2006 Corolla Rear Toe Adjustment

[The Critic]

I'm going to be taking a 2006 Corolla to the tire shop for an alignment on Friday.

From what I understand, the front toe is adjustable, but the rear toe is not adjust due to a torsion beam design. If the rear toe needs to be adjusted, I would need to use shims from Moog or Spicer to get the toe in spec.

So my questions are:

1. Is it common for Corollas to need shims in order to bring the rear toe in spec?

2. If shims are needed, how much would it cost to install shims, per side? The shims are around $10 each, but what kind of labor is involved to install the shims? What parts would need to be removed before you can install the shims?

Thanks!

 

[chrome]

It takes a lot of force to get the toe out on a torsion bar rear suspension. Unless the car has hit a HUGE pothole or a kerb at high speeds, which usually results in damaged wheels and tyres, the rear toe should be within spec.

 

[bdcardinal]

if the shop has a proper alignment machine that does printouts for the techs, you are looking at about .5 a side maybe.

 

[labman]

I just paid Firestone $173 to shim the rear of my 02 Cavalier. If I knew it would be that much, I might have grit my teeth and done it my self. I couldn't back out once I got the estimate. Long story partly to do with a lifetime alignment.

Except for removing the hub bolts, it isn't much of a job. They are Torx heads and I had tried and given up on another project. You are working next to the speed sensor. Bust it, and you have to replace the hub.

 

[bdcardinal]

the only issue with doing it yourself is cutting the shim to fit correctly without them providing you with a printout.

 

[The Critic]

Just got back from the shop.

The LF toe was off by 0.08. It was still in the green, but the tech went ahead and adjusted it.

Everything else was fine. Thanks for all of the help!

I'll post the complete results shortly in a new thread.