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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ 914 alginment chicago / rockford

Posted by: sk8kat1 Mar 16 2006, 01:38 PM

alright my only guy in rockford that even knows what a 914 is doesn't do alginments

so does nyone know who in the chicago area can do one , properly

and how far can you drive after doing a turbo tie rod swap can you go with out fuking up the car?

Posted by: ArtechnikA Mar 16 2006, 01:45 PM

the car will be fine; your only damage will be to the tires.

you measured total tie rod length and made sure the new rods are exactly that length before the installation, yes?

otherwise... shoot for something like 1/8" to 1/16" total toe-in measured from front and back of the tires.

if you're having the back aligned too, buy a selection of camber shims FIRST and have them with you - no normal alignment shop stocks 914 rear camber shims...

Posted by: BigDBass Mar 16 2006, 01:48 PM

Shoot a PM to ChicagoChris. He's recently done a frontend suspension swap to 911 so likely has an alignment shop or two to suggest. Brad M may be able to suggest someone as well.

Posted by: sk8kat1 Mar 16 2006, 01:51 PM

I just left brad a message ... luckly the ties are not on yet so I may have more options ..

I would really hate to screw up the tire they are new .

Posted by: JOHNMAN Mar 16 2006, 03:24 PM

How far are you from Naperville?

If it's close enough, Becker Service Center Inc. on Naperville Road.

(630) 983-5500

Call Jim Becker,

He should treat you right.

Posted by: sk8kat1 Mar 16 2006, 03:27 PM

well stil a drive but a helluva lot closer than peoria !!

thanks

Posted by: sk8kat1 Mar 16 2006, 03:29 PM

... and not be redundant ... so he does know 914 and does alignments?!

.. sorry just too good to be true

Posted by: JOHNMAN Mar 16 2006, 03:40 PM

Well, Yes and yes.

The shop does alignments in house and they are (or at least were) familiar with 914's. They did ours when we lived there. Even though Jim is a 944 Turbo guy, his shop does quite a bit of other Porsche work.

If you know how you want to drive your car, I'm sure he can suggest settings that will work for you.

Call him to find out more.

I used to work there many many moons ago....

Posted by: sk8kat1 Mar 16 2006, 03:42 PM

SWEEETT!

I just called and left a message for him to call me back

Posted by: sk8kat1 Mar 16 2006, 05:48 PM

alrught ..

good news the shop suggested can do my alginment and it is only like an hour to hour and half away

bad news he wants 180.00 to do it .....

is this about right?!

Posted by: sk8kat1 Mar 16 2006, 05:50 PM

so is an alignment needed if I change out the rear shocks... wil it knock it out of whack again?

Posted by: BigDBass Mar 16 2006, 06:30 PM

I can't answer your last two questions, but I am about 30 miles from that place if you want a !

Posted by: ArtechnikA Mar 16 2006, 07:30 PM

QUOTE (sk8kat1 @ Mar 16 2006, 07:50 PM)
so is an alignment needed if I change out the rear shocks... wil it knock it out of whack again?

no.

Posted by: itsa914 Mar 16 2006, 10:27 PM

QUOTE (sk8kat1 @ Mar 16 2006, 03:48 PM)
alrught ..

good news the shop suggested can do my alginment and it is only like an hour to hour and half away

bad news he wants 180.00 to do it .....

is this about right?!

To have it done right, yes. Brad M did mine while I had it down there for some work. Mine is setup for AXing, more negative camber than normal.

I might be wrong but a quality job is more than a 30min process, so $180 I think is fair.

Posted by: rhodyguy Mar 17 2006, 07:05 AM

i paid far more than that for a corner bal and alingment.

k

Posted by: ChicagoPete Mar 17 2006, 12:14 PM

These guys are in Libertyville...High end PCA club race shop. I know they do regular maintainence as well. This shop is actually in the list of resources in Bruce Anderson's book.

http://www.perfectpowerinc.com/

$180 sounds VERY inexpensive.

Posted by: ArtechnikA Mar 17 2006, 12:46 PM

you gotta know what you're getting for your $180.

it's steep for a front only - camber/caster/toe, maybe bumpsteer.

it's reasonable for a 4-wheel alignment by someone who knows the cars (and how *not* to strip the trailing arm front link retaining bolts). at that, you'll probably still need your own shims.

it's downright cheap for a cornerbalance and 4-wheel alignment. changing your rear damper type to or from gas-charged dampers will probably change that cornerbalance, as will changing springs. changing to the same kind of rear damper won't affect cornerweights.

Posted by: sk8kat1 Mar 17 2006, 12:59 PM

it was for a plain ol 4 wheel alginment

Posted by: sk8kat1 Mar 17 2006, 01:02 PM

914 LTD brad just gave me a call back and said that I really only need a toe in adj if I was putting in the tie rods and basicly any place could do it.... but if I am replaceing the front shocks too does that turn it to a full front alignment? and does that mean a rear alginment is unnessisary?

Posted by: rhodyguy Mar 17 2006, 02:47 PM

your call. if you plan on making wholesale changes at some point in the future, you can prob live the front end only. if you're going to spring for the big one, do it after EVERYTHING else is done. typically after you determine the final strut/rear spring combo (adj perches?, spring rates and heights?, lowering the front end?) move on to the corner balance. for the full deal-corner bal, alignment- doubling your front end only cost is not unreasonable (where i live).

k

Posted by: ArtechnikA Mar 17 2006, 03:00 PM

QUOTE (sk8kat1 @ Mar 17 2006, 03:02 PM)
if I am replaceing the front shocks too does that turn it to a full front alignment? and does that mean a rear alginment is unnessisary?

i agree with k.

but to answer...

only your front toe should change with tie rods. that means if your camber or caster were off before, they still will be. same with the back -- does that make it unnecessary? no more necessary than it is now. when was it done last? how's the tire wear? is it what you like? do you know?

it is completely possible to change only front dampers without affecting alignment. even changing the ball joint too should make only a teeny change. which only means it'll be no better nor worse than you have now. only way to know if it;s necessary is check the settings against what you want.