Car was hit, rear beam slightly bent?

[tubaST]

My car was hit last month when parked on the street, left rear was where all the damage was (needed a new left rear quarter panel). I just got it back from the shop today, everything looks pretty good, but when looking at the alignment specs the left rear toe seems off. It's showing 0.55°, my previous alignment was 0.01°. Is this change of concern? I haven't had a chance to drive the car hard yet. Body shop is suggesting that this is within spec, but I might be able to throw a fit and get them to do something about it.

 

[SteveS]

They can't adjust the rear toe so since it's in the range their computer gave them they left it. Since it shows in range the insurance might not pay for fixing it either. I imagine repair choices will be new beam axle, or try bending it, or shims.

 

[tubaST]

Got it. 0.55° isn't out of spec? I know their sheet only shows spec for thrust angle, is that the only spec given for toe in the rear? I just don't really know.

 

[SteveS]

Got it. 0.55° isn't out of spec? I know their sheet only shows spec for thrust angle, is that the only spec given for toe in the rear? I just don't really know.

It says range is -1.6 to +0.6 degrees for camber but nothing for toe. However camber is not adjustable at the rear. The current reading is 0.55 degrees for toe. I think they are looking at the line for camber and calling the toe in spec.

It's not really in spec. But toe is adjustable at the rear (it's the only thing adjustable at the rear). When I made my earlier comment I was thinking camber was out.

Although I hate seeing toe in degrees instead of inches or millimeters, I'm pretty sure the car would be dogtracking with toe out on the right and toe in on the left rear.

Edit: I just looked it up and the rear is supposed to toe in both sides, range 0.01 to 0.31 degrees each side, with both sides the same, total toe 0.01 to 0.61. So the rear toe is actually way out on both sides. Have them fix it.

 

[tubaST]

Edit: I just looked it up and the rear is supposed to toe in both sides, range 0.01 to 0.31 degrees each side, with both sides the same, total toe 0.01 to 0.61. So the rear toe is actually way out on both sides. Have them fix it.

Thank you! Where did you find that info? Just in case they push back. I haven’t been able to find the specific rear toe specifications.
Edit: punctuation

 

[Stubborn Approach]

Toe wears tires. I don’t know a tech that would think that alignment is ok to give to the customer.

Its going to need some shims but also some adjustments at the beam pockets.

 

[SteveS]

Unfortunately the source appears to have been taken down. It was the factory service manual. I also have another spec I wrote down from a thread on this forum years ago that says total rear toe is 0.0-0.50 degrees, evenly split between the sides.

 

[Intuit]

With some exception, alignment techs only seem to be interested in the quick job. At least in our area there seems to be a number of body shops that don't have their own equipment for alignment and so will sublet specifically their wheel alignment work out. Confirm whether your body shop is aligning it in-house or sending it to some place else. For anything with a sport suspension setup, minor tweaks make a big difference.

 

[tubaST]

They do it in-house, I'm still waiting to hear back if they'll revisit it, but because my car meets all of the provided specs I'm doubtful they'll do much more. I talked to the guys who usually do my alignment and they say that they didn't think it would be too much of an affect, but I'd likely need to source a new beam if it is.
This was the only service manual I was able to find online, screenshot of the suspension specs it has below: http://sluggyjunx.com/auto/2014_Fiesta/Service Manual.htm

 

[madhatter]

get a different shop to do it. call ahead, tell them you want X toe and that you want it with you sitting in the driver seat. if they won't do that, keep going as they won't do the job you want anyway.

 

[tubaST]

I talked to the shop that I go to for alignment, they say that rear toe just isn't adjustable and short of getting a new beam I'm kind of stuck. They also said that it's pretty minor and the end effect of having both sides slightly toed in. I was hoping to find if there was a factory spec beyond the Thrust Angle, so that I could force my insurance to cove a new beam, but that's looking unlikely.

I'll call around and see if anyone else thinks they can do something about it, but I'm not noticing any ill effects at this moment.

 

[Zormecteon]

No ill effects being felt.

Reminds me of old stereo specs. Total Harmonic Distortion was one of the ones most often cited and compared. 1%, .1%, .05%, .01%.. The specs kept getting lower and lower, better and better the more $$$ spent...
BUT..... If you can't HEAR the difference, then there is no difference.

Keep testing under various conditions, but if you can't feel anything wrong, then it's just fine.

 

[Stubborn Approach]

I talked to the shop that I go to for alignment, they say that rear toe just isn't adjustable and short of getting a new beam I'm kind of stuck.

Toe is adjustable at the knuckle to beam mounting location using shims. The same solution that was used by alignment techs on VWs over 40 years ago. Not only are they lazy, but they are liars too.

 

[tubaST]

I guess I'll be calling around to see if I can find someone that is willing to take that on.