long time reader first time posting... I am looking at replacing my rear axle to my 2007 Prius and had a few questions that I'm hoping someone here can help me with. The reason for the replacement is that my rear axle is bent (most likely due to bottoming out on rough roads near where I live and is now causing severe cupping on the inside of my rear tires. As I know this is a very expensive part, I am looking into finding a decent used axle in a junkyard. There is one locally that I have found but it is for a Touring edition. Are the rear axles interchangeable between the touring and standard editions? Does anyone have any experience in replacing the rear axles and have any advice on the replacement? Lastly, and most important, is there any (simple) way to check a used axle to make sure it is relatively straight and won't cause the same problems? Appreciate any help and advice from users with experience.... Thanks!
I wonder if commercially available shims, used for alignment purposes, would have enough of an angle to bring things back to true again? Maybe getting an alignment shop to test would be a start. Easier to install shims than a whole axle.
As far as I know the only difference is the brakes they are discs with parking brake in the centers on the touring
Thanks for the info. I did get my alignment checked, which is when I was told about the rear axle issue. Attached is the spec sheet I was given. I do not know if my wheels are too far out of alignment for shims to be a possible solution. Can anyone with more experience take a look at the spec sheet and let me know how far out of alignment my wheels are?
You should find a specialty alignment shop, show them your report and ask if they can install shims to help the rear. Your front alignment is not very good either, the toe-in and camber on the front wheels can and should be adjusted. Toe-in should be 0 or very slightly positive while camber should be equal on both sides and at the middle of the range.
