Adventures in Alignment

[Jack Gresham]

I am looking at the 911 one day and I think I see a difference in the camber between the front wheels, being a little scientific and realizing that instruments are more accurate that eyes I grab my level and guess what? My eyes are correct. Today I have installed the turbo tie rods I bought from Wayne and figure it’s a good time for a four wheel alignment, on the way home I notice the very small deviation from straight in the steering wheel when driving straight is still there, I get home grab the level and guess what? Same exact result, the same front wheel that had a lot more camber still has it, I check the bolts on top of the strut towers and see they have the factory paint marks and have not been disturbed. I think all I got is maybe a toe in adjustment and a big print out showing before and after on a four wheel alignment that never happened, what do you guys think?

Thanks

Jack, 87 Carrera

[masraum]

If they didn't chip the paint/black goo off of the top of the struts then they didn't do an alignment. Unless they think the alignment is fine the way it is.

You probably got screwed.

[stlrj]

Even if they did chip the black goo off there would be very limited correction for too much camber error to make a significant difference and they know it!

Whatever happened to the printout?

Joe
74 w/86 3.2

[Jack Gresham]

The print out shows a difference between initial and final on the fronts which I can see is false, they documented doing nothing on the rears because the initial and final are exactly the same and do not fall within spec. I don't think they even did a toe because the small error in the wheel is still there.

Thanks

Jack

[Jack Gresham]

bump

[RaceProEngineer]

Jack,

Here are a couple more ideas - Your level (and your "rock of eye") need to be applied when your 911 is resting on a perfectly level surface. If your driveway or garage has a bit of a tilt, you may get consistant readings, but they will not be accurate.

Since you do not have monoballs or modified struts, it appears your alignment shop did nothing with front caster or camber. The question is, WHY? And that would be my next step - to pose that question to the shop, and listen carefully to the reply.

If they have a plausible reason, you will have a better feeling about having spent your hard-earned money with them. And if they do not, you will then have a perfectly legitimate opening to ask for a refund.

Either way, let the group here know how you fare. Good luck.

Ed LoPresti
RacePro Engineering

[Eagledriver]

The sooner you start doing your own alignments the happier you'll be. Use the level to set the camber you desire and some home made toe plates to set the toe. If you are careful you'll be able to be accurate to within a quarter turn of a tie rod.

-Andy

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by Eagledriver
The sooner you start doing your own alignments the happier you'll be.

I'm with Andy on this one.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/showthread.php?threadid=6567&highlight=Scruggs

DIY Alignment/Corner Balance ?

Toe Adjust Techniquest

[Wil Ferch]

I've also posted on a number of home-brew approaches to alignment. There is the string method of checking toe ( very accurate) and the modified carpenters level ( accurate enough....to 0.1 degree) to establish camber.

From someone elses' help on this board....I've found that 1 mm adjustment on the top shock mounts affects camber by 0.1 degree ( thanks Hayden/ "wevoid"). And yes...1-3 mm change can be felt and can be seen as different wear pattern on the tires.

--Wil