Allignment and Corner Balancing 101.

[andrew johnson]

I have a fundamental query in regards to allignment and balancing that will help all members.

I have a basic understanding that a wheel allignment makes the the wheels travel/roll in a straight line. I realise that camber, positive or negative has different effects on steering, turning braking and stability.

What I am interested in is how it appears that there are different quality allignments. We can buy a $40.00 allignment, or we can buy a more expensive and valuable one. What is the difference?

What is meant by corner balancing?


regards

Andrew

[stlrj]

It dependes how far out of alignment your 911 happens to be.

If it has been lowered as most people prefer, in addition to corner balancing, trying to set the front and rear camber to spec becomes very difficult if not impossible, thus the cost inequities.

Cheers,

Joe

[smestas]

Originally posted by andrew johnson
We can buy a $40.00 alignment, or we can buy a more expensive and valuable one. What is the difference?

In my local are there was no one who did digital alignments. There was an older technique (40.00) they used to do alignments so I ended up driving a bit to get a digital (80.00) alignment done. The digital alignment place also gave me a print out of my settings before and after. Not to sure if you would get those from the older alignment technique shops.

[larry47us]

Well, maybe we are talking about two different animals, but I can take my Volvo in to the local Just Tires and get an alignment for $49.95, but if I go to the local Porsche dealer - or anyone else reputable that does Porsche work in the Chicago area, I am getting prices of around $300.

I have been told that a 4 wheel alignment on a Porsche should include corner balancing (which these did) and is much more difficult than a "standard" alignment on a regular road car.

larry

[masraum]

You may want to check out this thread.

Toe Adjust Techniquest