Unfortunately there are 2018's out there with the problem. HERE is one example.
Agreed. But whatever alignment process they use at the factory, sometimes a Mirage comes out with the steering wheel slightly off. My own car is like this. My alignment is fine...but the steering wheel is clearly not centered. I'll deal with this the next time I have the car aligned....the car should have left the factory with the steering wheel straight.
This is exactly what I would do. It's unfortunate...but your dealer is already sending you all the wrong signals. So there's no way I would trust them to look at it and be honest with you. If you need a new rear axle, that's almost a $1,000 repair...so even if you have to spend a little now, it will be worth it.I wouldn't even trust the dealer on this. Take it to any alignment shop that offers a free alignment check. Or even spend $70 for an alignment. Then you know, independently, what your alignment is and can make an informed decision about how to proceed.
Good luck and keep us posted!
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View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 52.2 mpg (US) ... 22.2 km/L ... 4.5 L/100 km ... 62.6 mpg (Imp)
Dammit.
You can center your steering wheel in about two minutes with a 17mm and 12mm wrench right in your driveway. You don't even have to jack up the car. I haven't paid for an alignment in about 10 years. I won't clutter this topic, but if you want to discuss it, start a topic about DIY alignment. I'll chime in.Agreed. But whatever alignment process they use at the factory, sometimes a Mirage comes out with the steering wheel slightly off. My own car is like this. My alignment is fine...but the steering wheel is clearly not centered. I'll deal with this the next time I have the car aligned.
Simplify and add lightness.
Top_Fuel (11-21-2018)
I went to the dealer today and here is the alignment report. They simply told me nothing is wrong with the rear axle and merely did the alignment. They spent about 40 min on the first adjustment (see the attached picture of report) and then test drive it for a while. But for some reason, they took the car back and spent another 30-40 min for the second adjustment, when I asked them to give the second report, they said the alignment was done in the first adjustment and nothing was changed. That sounds suspicious to me. Driving back home, the steering wheel is straight now and the car seems no longer pull to any side. Problem solved. I don't know how did they adjust the rear toe, but they indeed made it.
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View my fuel log 2018 Mirage G4 1.2 automatic: 39.8 mpg (US) ... 16.9 km/L ... 5.9 L/100 km ... 47.7 mpg (Imp)
luckyforrest, there are no adjustments for the rear axle. If you think it is better than before, great.
Some repair shops offer free alignment checks but charge for adjustments. Perhaps you can find one in your area that offers free alignment checks. That way you can compare results.
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View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 49.6 mpg (US) ... 21.1 km/L ... 4.7 L/100 km ... 59.5 mpg (Imp)
luckyforrest (11-21-2018)
Thanks Eggman. That is a good idea! But here in Toronto area, I have not seen any shop offer free alignment check. Is that possible they used shim to fix the rear toe? the initial number for rear toe was -0.05 and +0.05 final. I am thinking to take off the wheels to check if they use shim as expediency (if there is any shim and it can be seen)
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View my fuel log 2018 Mirage G4 1.2 automatic: 39.8 mpg (US) ... 16.9 km/L ... 5.9 L/100 km ... 47.7 mpg (Imp)
Your initial front toe numbers were way off. Here's what your wheels looked like before your alignment. Imagine looking at your car from above. Your left front wheel was pointing inward...and your right front was pointing outward. Your rear wheels were also both (very slightly) pointing to the right just like the fronts...
So it's no wonder that you had to hold the steering wheel slightly to the left to keep the car tracking straight. All 4 of your wheels were trying to push the car to the right!
Your initial right rear toe number is just barely out of spec. How they got it to change is anyone's guess. The guy could have leaned on your car or manipulated the numbers. What's interesting is that their rear toe specs are actually tighter than what most of us go by (+0.28° to -0.03°). They have it as 0.00° to +0.20°. Geez...mine isn't even that good.
Just keep an eye on your rear tire wear...rotate your tires regularly...and I think you'll be fine. If you can drive down a flat road..let go of the wheel...and the car tracks straight without any corrective steering on your part, then you're in good shape.
This is another perfect example of why every Mirage (new or used) needs a 4-wheel alignment check.
Don't bother...there's absolutely nothing to shim. The entire rear axle from drum to drum is a single welded assembly. There's absolutely no way to make adjustments. It's just the way they build these types of axles.
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View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 52.2 mpg (US) ... 22.2 km/L ... 4.5 L/100 km ... 62.6 mpg (Imp)
luckyforrest (11-21-2018)
There is no way to shim this axle. The hubs are welded on, not bolted on.
The only possible adjustment (without bending it, which isn't factory-authorized, as far as I know) might be some slight movement in the entire axle assembly at it's mounting points and/or bushings. Honestly, a tenth of a degree isn't much. Between bushing deflection, and variations in sensor placement (if they repositioned them), you could maybe see a tenth of a degree. Odd that the other side didn't change, though.
Basic trig says that 0.1 degrees over 24" (roughly the diameter of the tire, I'm too lazy to look it up) is about .04" at the tire tread. .0625 = 1/16". We're not talking about a huge difference.
Also, it looks like their measurement resolution for toe is probably .05 degrees (or about .02"). So, the difference between -0.05 to 0.00 could just be breathing on the tire, or looking at it funny. From there just bounce the car a couple times and the reading could change to +0.05 easily enough.
Simplify and add lightness.
luckyforrest (11-21-2018)
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View my fuel log 2015 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 52.2 mpg (US) ... 22.2 km/L ... 4.5 L/100 km ... 62.6 mpg (Imp)
luckyforrest (11-21-2018)
I appreciate so much guys. You really have helped a lot! I will keep an eye on the tire wear. I love my cute Mirage and don't want to see any major issue. I will keep the original tires on for a few days to test it, if everything looks alright, I will switch to winter tires.
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View my fuel log 2018 Mirage G4 1.2 automatic: 39.8 mpg (US) ... 16.9 km/L ... 5.9 L/100 km ... 47.7 mpg (Imp)