I recently had my rear alignment checked on my 98 SE and found that the toe was out of spec by about a 1/2 of degree. The dealer told me there's nothing I can do except replace the rear axle and this will cost about 600 bucks. The car doesn't ride bad nor does it pull to either side. Is there any other alternative instead of replacing the axle. Maybe shims behind the hub?? Any suggestions on where I could get those??

 

Sometimes you can get it a little straighter by using the play in the bolts that hold the whole contraption together...

 

Take it to a GOOD frame shope. One that deals w/ straighting unibody cars. I'm sure they can "tweak" minor adjustments to your non-adustable log boom rear suspension. They can gently pull on it to slightly bend it back into alignment. Chain alignment places are NOT usually equipped to do this type of work. Nor are they usually skilled enough to do it.

 

How can toe be out by half a degree, when toe is measured in inches? (1/16", 1/4", etc).

Is your car lowered? That may cause it to go out of spec.

A GOOD alignment shop can bend the beam axle to remove the excess toe. West End Alignment in Gardena, California can do it... I'm not sure who else has experience doing this.

 

For many years Ford pickup trucks used the Twin I-Beam front suspension. This suspension had, in effect, two independent rigid front axles. The way to adjust camber on these trucks is to bend the axle and alignment shops use a hydraulic bender to do this. Perhaps the same tool can be used on the Maxima rear beam axle.

 

Dan, frame shops all use hydraulic power to bend/straighten frames or unibody constructions. All that's needed is the correct attachement points and user skill. Should be no problem for a qualified/experienced handler.

 

I agree that frame shops have the means to bend metal. If the frame shop has an alignment rack they can do this repair. If not, an alignment shop is the place to go.

 

Actually .5 degrees is no big deal. If you are experiencing handling problems or abnormal tire wear, then I would have it corrected by a frame shop. But otherwise, I don't think it is worth the expense.