Camry Wheel Alignment Refused Due to Worn Bushings & Rubbers

kangaroo on 24/07/2020 - 17:57
Last edited 24/07/2020 - 18:29 by 1 other user

Recently a mechanic replaced the steering rack boot on my Toyota 2001 Camry during the safety check.
After the replacement my front wheel alignment is off.

Today I took the car to a Tyre Store to do the alignment.

After inspection I was told that an alignment is not going to work for me given my car has the following issues.

1. Front control arm bushings worn
2. Rear trailing arm bushes worn
3. Front and rear "D" rubbers worn.

They quoted me nearly $1100 to repair the above which I declined.

I requested to go ahead with an alignment only, but the store declined to do it since they claim the alignment will not last long.
They did not charge me for the inspection.

Question:
To redo the front alignment which of the above repairs are mandatory?

Note: Prior to the steering rack boot change, the alignment on my car was perfect.

Thanks

• 

  brendanm on 24/07/2020 - 17:58

  +2

  How do you know it was perfect before? Those are common early 2000s Camry wear items. You don't need to replace anything to do with the swaybar for wheel alignment.

  • 

    kangaroo on 24/07/2020 - 18:06

    Thanks.

    After the steering rack boot change the left front wheels pulls towards the pavement. Before that the handling was very smooth. All 4 tyres were only changed a year ago and I did wheel alignment as well during the change. I have barely driven the car for the last year.

    • 

      brendanm on 24/07/2020 - 18:41

      +3

      That's fine, but doesn't mean the alignment was ok. The mechanic should have been able to put the tie rod back in the same place.

      If those parts are worn, they need replacement. Perhaps get a second opinion, but as I said, they are pretty normal for a Camry that age.

• 

  AdosHouse on 24/07/2020 - 18:11

  +3

  The first mechanic only changed the boot? If he/she was careful, they could have marked where the adjustment nuts were and put it back to that location, would barely have affected the alignment.

  As for those bushes, if they are the factory bushes, they have probably be buggered for over 10 years. Rubber bushes don't last 20 years.

  I suggest getting them done, but you can get an alignment done without replacing them.

  Side note, I've never had to do bushes on a FWD before, so maybe it's different and I know I could be wrong.

  • 

    kangaroo on 24/07/2020 - 18:15

    Yes, I agree. I saw few videos on youtube where they mark the positions in order to preserve the alignment.

    The Tyre Store guy has written "Front D Rubbers".

• 

  whooah1979 on 24/07/2020 - 18:36

  +1

  Vote with your wallet. There are plenty of other workshops that will take your money and do the wheel alignment no questions asked.

  • 

    Euphemistic on 24/07/2020 - 18:49

    +2

    This is true. Although, they’ll probably warn you that parts are worn and it won’t last long!

    • 

      elgrande on 24/07/2020 - 20:35

      +1

      Yeh, those darn mechanics trying to fix your car.. I once had a mechanic try and fix my brakes.. I showed him!..

      • 

        pegaxs on 24/07/2020 - 23:51

        +6

        “I didn’t let that stop me…”

  • 

    Franc-T on 24/07/2020 - 21:22

    +2

    Yes, but its pretty ethical refusing to do so….though its probably because they dont want to deal with the inevitable bullshit when the alignment gets back out pretty much immediately and customers wanting refunds despite what tehy were advised.

• 

  Euphemistic on 24/07/2020 - 18:52

  They are trying to do the right thing by warning you it’s kinda pointless to do the alignment without replacing the bushes. They are also trying to protect their reputation by not doing work that cannot be guaranteed. They don’t want you coming back in a few weeks complaining you weren’t told about the bushes. .

  Plenty of places will take your money and then take some more when you come back in a few thousand kms wth badly worn tyres.

• 

  kahn on 24/07/2020 - 19:36

  -8

  The first rule of ozbargain is to never buy a Toyota Camry.

• 

  bdl on 24/07/2020 - 19:52

  +1

  .4. Dented rear bumper :)

• 

  JimmyF on 24/07/2020 - 20:06

  To redo the front alignment which of the above repairs are mandatory?

  Only if you want the alignment done right…

• 

  highon2str on 25/07/2020 - 00:48

  Go back to the mechanic who did the repair and explain what has happened. As others have mentioned, if you're careful with the boot change you can get away with it - however it seems that the tie rod was not adjusted back to the position it was at before. I present to you 2 (cheap, ozb level) options:

  Option 1: Go back to your mechanic (hope you're friendly with him?), he can potentially fix the issue on site if he has a wheel aligner, otherwise he will be friendly with the other guy down the road who he subs out all his alignment/rwc work to.

  Option 2: Alternatively if the bush mechanic in you is strong, you (or your mechanic) can try to adjust the tie rod on the side that the boot was replaced. If the left boot was replaced and the car now pulls left then there is too much toe out, so wind in or out (depending on the physical location of the tie rod end) the LH tie rod in 1/4 turn increments on a drive/road test until the car drives straight. If the right boot was replaced and the car pulls left then there is too much toe in and the procedure is similar, but done on the RH tie rod. Don't forget to nip up the locking nut when the car eventually drives straight(ish).

  • 

    kangaroo on 25/07/2020 - 14:39

    Thank you , I will take the car back to the mechanic.

• 

  Hackney on 25/07/2020 - 06:42

  Just get it fixed!

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  brad1-8tsi on 27/07/2020 - 12:11

  get a 2nd opinion as they might be really fussy or simply not want the job but if bushings are worn then you can set the alignment and it will move around like a prick in shirt sleeve.
  A 19 year old car will have a fair bit of wear and dry rot in the rubber.

  Front control arm bushings worn - this will cause toe, camber and caster to be unstable. It's probably not a hard job to replace if you buy the whole arm with bushes installed. They will be <$200/pr off ebay.
  With the right tools 1.5hrs labour.

  Rear trailing arm bushes worn - not as critical as the fronts but may affect the thrustline and rear toe setting. A complete arm is ~$140/pr on ebay.
  Around 1-1.5hrs on this.

  Front and rear "D" rubbers worn. I assume these are the sway bar rubbers. They won't affect the alignment but will clunk and be annoying. The front & rear bushings are $40-$60 set of 4 depending on what model you have (camry changed in 2001 didn't they?). 1.5hrs labour
  I'd also check the drop links.

  Plus 4 wheel alignment $80.

  All up around $400 in parts and $450 labour + W/A so their $1100 isn't a rip off as they are entitled to a 20% markup on parts and they aren't going to waste time phoning around getting the best price.