wheel alignment tricks? Options

[Jamie]

Since I have now replaced all 4 shocks and new rear springs, is it a tricky job to align a 914? Can a regular shop like NTB with proper equipment and no tech named Hans do a good job, or are there secret tricks and chants? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)

[Joe Ricard]

Depends what you are going to do with the car. Strictly street, Some street/ Some Autocross, All Autocross, Track.

All would dictate different settings. To answer the question Yes with the right equipment. and you providing the setting you want.

To avoid the hassle make sure the rest of the suspension is in good shape. Ball joints, Tie rod ends, wheel bearings, The rear stuff should also be tight with suspension consoles and bushings.

You can get the ride height as close as you wish. Adjusting ride height after an alignment is a step backwards. Car should be level fore and aft also side to side.

[Jamie]

My baby is all original and strictly for the street, unless I happen to revert to younger days and find an AX in the area! Have inspected bushings and other rolling/rotating parts and all seem to be in good condition with ONLY 41K. Mechanic gave green light on condition of most, but I want to cruise in comfort.Right now I have some vibrations and next project is to have the new MASTERCRAFTS rebalanced- why didn't somebody tell me there were other 165x15's that weren't on the computer at S&S Tire!! Sob!!!

[Dave_Darling]

You cannot add positive camber to the rear wheels without using special camber shims. (Well, you can use washers but that's imprecise and kinda ugly.) You can potentially add NEGATIVE camber by removing shims, but you've got to go in whatever increments the existing shims give you.

--DD

[nebreitling]

i had a really bad experience getting my 914 "aligned" from a firestone, and i learned a lesson:

take your porsche to a place that has aligned 914's before. don't give it to just anyone. you will get a far better alignment.

[Brad Roberts]

95% of the alignment places out there dont even know that you can adjust the rear. Unless you show up with shims... they wont adjust the rear camber.


B

[John]

That's why I bought my own alignment machine and paid to have it checked out and calibrated.

I can now check/adjust my cars when I want and how I want.

If you are an avid do-it-yourselfer you can learn to align your car with strings and rulers (and be fairly acurate at that).

I know that I will spend the time and effort to get it just right instead of a high school educated "tech" working as an hourly employee.....

I used to work in a shop and learned how to actually check suspension components and align the car instead of "getting the readings" on the alignment machine printout.



I hope your alignment works out for you.

[Brad Roberts]

We string cars quite frequently. TonyC from TC Design has a picture somewhere of a Indy car team stringing their car. It works.


B

[sixnotfour]

Had to do a gear change at the Lemans Classic , and stringed the rear of this corvette , boy the French Dudes were laughing they quit when we got our lap times though.Even commented afterwards how good it must of worked. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smilie_pokal.gif)

[sixnotfour]

oh ya heres the car R Dahnhauers Boss

[John]

If you are an avid do-it-yourselfer you can learn to align your car with strings and rulers (and be fairly acurate at that).

We string cars quite frequently.  It works.

Had to do a gear change at the Lemans Classic , and stringed the rear of this corvette

Thank you for your support. I was a little afraid people would think I was daft.

[kermit]

I had my alignment done at Trapp's in South San Francisco and they did a great job. I just brought a stack of shims, told them the settings I wanted, and they dialed it in as I watched.

They have a really trick machine, using lasers and stuff. The tires rest on a sliding plate, so the suspension settles down without having to drive it around the block everytime. Ask for Anthony, great kid.

But generally speaking, go to a Porsche specialist. Trapp's is one of those generic tire and alignment places, but I happen to know that they align a lot of Porsches and also sponsor a race car.