Alignment Cost

[gr8fl4porsche]

Originally posted by ZOANAS
how many tries did it take for you to freeze the naughty frame on my avatar?

I got it in 3 tries

[defcon65]

OK, now we're cookin' with gas! It's nice to accomplish something at work for a change. Why the half-screen? Got a problem with symmetry?

[wcc]

I don't know where these prices come from. I could see that price coming from a dealer. But independent Porsche shop? That $300 dollars is JUST for a four wheel alignment. I called three places. Two were $300 and Liskey's was $130. The Corner Balancing was extra. I asked the dealer if that included a corner balance and the guy didn't know what that was. He said just bring it in and we'll set you up. It sounds like a set up alright. I'm not very confident in them. But the guy that does the actual alignment I've heard was really good.

[ZOA NOM]

Just my artisic flair.

[defcon65]

If I could get away with it, I'd make it my screensaver instead of the 'girls jumping rope at the beach' avatar I got from another Pelican. It mesmerizes me.

[aleng888]

Hey, I hear there is a guy in Long beach, CA area that do a pretty good job on older 911 wheel alignment. Anyone know the guy number or address?

[javadog]

Bill,

Drop by the dealer that you are thinking of using and meet the guy that will be doing the work. Ask him what he intends to do, for your $300. Refer to my previous post as to what the likely responses will be. You ought to also be familiar with what this work entails on your car, so you can decide if what you are getting suits your usage of the car. Lastly, you want to drop off the car with a full tank of gas.

JR

[kqw]

Now a 4 wheel alignment may on the extreme take 2 hours. At $300.00 that's $150.00 per hour....

Now "corner" balancing is more entailed and $250.00 is more in line for that.

[Oh Haha]

Bill, the guy at Williams is the one that has mucho experience with 911's. A fellow Pelican takes his car there. As someone suggested, go in and meet the guy and get a feel for him. Again, I have heard that he is one of the old school guys that honed his skills on the older cars like ours. Maybe test drive a 997 while they do the work?

[J Smith]

$300 for a 4-wheel alignment only is nuts IMO. These cars are not that complicated. Modern alignment equipment makes aligning cars really quite a simple procedure. As long as your not asking for camber & caster values that are testing the limits of the factory adjustments, it's basic.

I've done it both ways: the $300 way and the $100 way. After the $300 bill, I made some new friends. Now I'm lucky enough to have a local shop who let's me use their equipment, and I basically do it myself. He does help me set everything up. I watch the computer screen as I turn some eccentrics and stop turning when I achieve the values I want. Yeah things change when you play with other adjustments, but lowly me can get all settings within .05 degrees of where I want them.

But I do agree that $300 - $400 is a good deal on a complete ride height/CB/alignment.

[Duckworth]

I think some of you guys are missing out by not trying some of the 'ol- timer methods out there for DIYS'ers.

Admittedly, they are somewhat crude by comparison but once you get a feel for your car and watch your tires like a hawk to see how evenly they're wearing - it brings you immense satisfaction.

Getting a nice contact patch at 4 corners is what you're after. It can be done. I know others that have done it. All those diagnostic tools are a great way to bring in income - however, they do a very nice job -without a doubt. DIYS takes work, time and patience if you're interested - and you will get better at it with practice. Using strings and straight edges is what I use.

Be careful... you WILL succeed. If you don't have the time and patience - you will have M A J O R problems with tire wear.

Phil
_____________

'74 fiat 128
'80 928
'82 Targa - sold

[ZOA NOM]

Phil akes a great point. After I performed the full alignment on mine at the shop, I've kept it in shape at home via the DIY alignment methods found on this forum. I use a laser and digital level to check and make any small adjustments. Like Phil says, pay attention to the tire wear.

[85carrera]

TRE motorsports (who are considered specialists in the world of porsche) charge 235-285 for a 4 wheel alignment and corner balance. Coming from TRE motorsports I'd consider 235-285 the standard.

David

[Duckworth]

Zoanas, could you offer a few ideas about how your devices help you to check 'camber'. Camber has given me some doubts as far as how well
it can be done.

Thanks,

Phil
_________

'74 fiat 128
'80 928
'82 Targa - sold

[Dave Nordhoff]

After rebuilding my SC's suspension I had it C/B and alignment done on a $35000 rack. It took almost 4 hours and the guy has alot of 911 experience. After watching all the tweaking and driving it, I did not mind paying $390.
Dave

[ZOA NOM]

Phil, I use a Sears "Smart Tool" pictured below to measure camber at each wheel. I remove the center cap and place the tool across the wheel's center hole, which is an extremely flat, true surface for measuring camber.



I place two thin pieces of steel with grease between them under each wheel (two at a time, front or rear) to allow movement when I adjust. This allows adjustment to be made with the car on the ground, and negates the need for re-settling the suspension between adjustments.

For toe, I use a Black & Decker laser line level, which I place on the hub and point towards the ground. I mark the resulting line in front of, and behind the tire, and repeat for the other side of the car. The difference in measurement between the front and rear of the tires is the total toe.

[ddann]

Originally posted by kqw
Boy, you folks have high prices for alignments. For a normal 4 wheel Laser alignment I pay $145.00 at one of the best P-Car shops in the state. Takes the technician about an 1.5 hours to set up and adjust.

Where is this shop you speak of?

I am located in central PA.

[kqw]

Either Performance Automotive in Malvern or Dougherty's. in West Chester.

[Duckworth]

Phil, I use a Sears "Smart Tool" pictured below to measure camber at each wheel. I remove the center cap and place the tool across the wheel's center hole, which is an extremely flat, true surface for measuring camber.

Good idea, but how do you reassure yourself that the floor is true or 'flat' in other words ?

The surface of the average garage - most are not perfectly flat and tilt slightly to one side or the other.

If the car was positioned properly, then it would seem to be a better reference to measure against.

Phil
______________

'74 fiat 128
'80 928
'82 Targa - sold

[ZOA NOM]

I measure the floor first, silly. Then add or subtract the angle. That's why they call it a "Smart Tool".