[ratimux]

I normally dont even think about alignment issues on a brand new car with less than 4,000 miles on it, BUT the other day I took the rear wheels off, so I can install sound deadening material under the fender wheel arches and notice that my tires (with no visible thred wear issue) were NOT standing upright and on their own.

This is somewhat concerning, but wanted to see if others have experienced the same and if I need to go to Toyota nad get 4 wheel alignment. I am a bit scarred from a recent experience wit y new Sierra 2500 that I took for a wheel alignment (dealer tech scratche my wheel, bent the alignment pins, messed up my alignment totally...etc), so dont really want to take the Prime in to the dealer unless I really need to.

Thanks!

 

[db821766]

Someone on here did mention alignment issues and showed a picture of their tires. The went to a place that does free alignment checks

 

[surfstar]

You sure that's the tire and not the wheel? More weight where the metal is (outer side). Effect is greater the larger the wheel size.

 

[ratimux]

You sure that's the tire and not the wheel? More weight where the metal is (outer side). Effect is greater the larger the wheel size.

Well…I guess it is possible, both tires are like that and my other vehicles are dead on and tires stay put without falling to one side

 

[NameofUser]

Pay for a lifetime alignment plan from a chain like Firestone, DiscountTire, etc.
Get the car‘s alignment check once a year. If its out, it gets adjusted free of charge, unless a suspension component needs to get replaced/repaired. It is money well spent!

 

[Denofel]

Discount Tire does alignments in your area? Not here. I wish they did.

 

[ratimux]

Discount Tire does alignments in your area? Not here. I wish they did.

They don’t offer it in my area

 

[NameofUser]

Sorry to hear they don't. I guess they stopped. You'll have to inquire w/ tire shops in your area. The big chains will likely be your best bet.

I made my money 10fold. It was CHEAP (just over $100) when I bought YEARS ago. I drop car off once a year, comes back realigned.

 

[Salmon]

The tire standing up or not on it's own is not a very good indication of potential alignment issues. The offset and design of the wheels as well as balance and weight placement can all affect that test. Tread depth checks are better but still not a great way to check alignment. I have read about alignment issues on these vehicles and if you can find somebody to check it for free that's your best option but that is not always available or practical. I think for our R4P I will just keep a close eye out for any symptoms of alignment issues (tread wear and cupping) with the OEM tires then get it aligned when I replace the tires. I don't expect much from the OEMs (I think ours are the Dunlops)

 

[arribasn]

Toyota does cover alignment in first 12 months or 12,000 miles so I'd have dealer do it for free if you suspect something

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

I want to preface my following remarks by admitting I'm no expert on Primes and I may be totally and completely wrong in my theory. Please feel free to correct any mistakes I make in the following. I welcome the knowledge: It is my understanding that the Primes use the SAME rear coil springs as the gas engine models (the TRDs and Adventures have different springs). It is my understanding that the 12V battery is in the rear of the Prime and it is in the engine compartment of the gas model. It is my understanding that the Prime has a Traction or storage battery for the electric motors that weighs a goodly amount and is in the back of the Prime. Thus it is my theory that THE PRIME HAS MUCH MORE WEIGHT DISTRIBUTED TO ITS REAR AND SITTING OVER THE REAR COILS THAN IN THE GAS MODELS. Yet both models use the SAME coil springs. Therefore it seems logical to me that the Prime would have rear tire negative camber issues because the extra weight causes the rear to "squat" more and load the rear tires than in the gas models. Now I am not clear about that camber adjusting bolt on rear suspension of the Prime...whether it's the same as the one on the gas models. If its the same then obviously it can't dial out that negative camber due to the rear weight bias of the Prime. I would bet that after several years and many miles, those rear coils on the Prime are going to sag badly and then the rear camber and tire wear issue will explode across the forums. I would try some Eibach or other stronger rear coil springs and then get an alignment for the rear camber.

 

[Chazz8]

Same rear coil spring in R4Prime as many other Toyota vehicles. (Checked the part). It seems to work in lighter and heavier Toyota vehicles.

12v battery location vs all hybrid & plug-in components they get to distribute makes me think the weight is distributed just fine.

The new biggest Toyota battery is for the first time bolted to the bottom of the vehicle, under the driver (not rear seat like hybrids). Ref; https://www.toyota-tech.eu/HYBRID/HVDM/EN/hvdm RAV PHV.pdf#page6

You can check how much each rav4 weighs to see how much the springs are holding up. Toyota also announced that the suspension for the R4Prime was designed for the battery pack on the bottom and has a higher ground clearance than the Rav4 Hybrid (but not ICE-only Rav4s).

I don’t see many R4Primes with neg camber issues. If it was weight related, then all R4Primes would exhibit this problem.

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

I don’t see many R4Primes with neg camber issues. If it was weight related, then all R4Primes would exhibit this problem.

It is possible that the Primes that DO have negative camber issues are the tip of an unreported iceberg. The ones in this forum may be the first where the rear springs are starting to sag---possibly they hauled more passengers or cargo. Toyota.com and MotorTrend says the Prime weighs 4235 to 4300 lbs. According to dealerships the gas model LE (the lightest)weighs 3370 lbs (FWD) and 3490 (AWD). The heaviest gas model is the TRD at 3655 lbs. and that has special, stronger off road springs. So the Prime which weighs about 1000 lbs more than the gas LE FWD uses the SAME rear coil springs! I think this is precisely why there are these recent reports of Prime rear tire wear and inability to dial out excess negative camber. Toyota should have at least used the TRD coils in the Prime.

 

[arribasn]

It is possible that the Primes that DO have negative camber issues are the tip of an unreported iceberg. The ones in this forum may be the first where the rear springs are starting to sag---possibly they hauled more passengers or cargo. Toyota.com and MotorTrend says the Prime weighs 4235 to 4300 lbs. According to dealerships the gas model LE (the lightest)weighs 3370 lbs (FWD) and 3490 (AWD). The heaviest gas model is the TRD at 3655 lbs. and that has special, stronger off road springs. So the Prime which weighs about 1000 lbs more than the gas LE FWD uses the SAME rear coil springs! I think this is precisely why there are these recent reports of Prime rear tire wear and inability to dial out excess negative camber. Toyota should have at least used the TRD coils in the Prime. View attachment 173093 View attachment 173094 View attachment 173095 View attachment 173096 View attachment 173097

Doesn't the Prime sit a little higher than standard Rav4 to make a little extra room for batteries? I'm not sure how all the suspension could be the same

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

Doesn't the Prime sit a little higher than standard Rav4 to make a little extra room for batteries? I'm not sure how all the suspension could be the same

No. The Prime has LESS ground clearance than the gas models. The XSE is quite lower and I visually observed this parking next to one in my gas XLE at a Walmart. The gas TRD has the most ground clearance.

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

I'm not sure how all the suspension could be the same

That's my point...why use the same springs in a 1000 lbs heavier car. Its nuts!

 

[arribasn]

No. The Prime has LESS ground clearance than the gas models. The XSE is quite lower and I visually observed this parking next to one in my gas XLE at a Walmart. The gas TRD has the most ground clearance.

Less ground clearance since the batteries are underneath, but I could have sworn I read it needed taller suspension to accommodate it and I know many articles have said the Prime has "uniquely tuned suspension" compared to regular

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

Traction battery being underneath floorboards does not remove that weight from the rear coils. The entire weight of the body work and everything in it or attached to it rides upon and is carried by the coil springs.

 

[arribasn]

Traction battery being underneath floorboards does not remove that weight from the rear coils. The entire weight of the body work and everything in it or attached to it rides upon and is carried by the coil springs.

Of course, my comment was that the larger batteries underneath could impact ground clearance more than on any other Rav4 and why I thought I've read the suspension was raised a little relative to other trims

 

[Tazio Nuvolari]

Of course, my comment was that the larger batteries underneath could impact ground clearance more than on any other Rav4 and why I thought I've read the suspension was raised a little relative to other trims

OK. One of you Prime owners needs to thoroughly check the rear coil part numbers for the various Prime model years and see if they are the SAME as the gas model numbers. Also see if you can find the specification for how many pounds each is rated to carry and each spring's end to end length. If the Prime rear coils are totally stronger and longer and different from the gas coils then my theory ( and it is only that --speculation and theorizing) falls apart.