Question on alignment after strut inserts replaced 911SC 1979

[FinallyGotOne]

So I did take the 911 to a great shop and had the front lowered, then the car was re-aligned and drove very good. I then replaced the inserts and it is pulling to the right pretty hard now. I measured the fenders before and aft and they did not change the height? I am curious what gives here? advice?

[Dueller]

Need to go back to re-align. Camber and caster are likely out of whack which can affect toe. Keep in mind that camber and caster are set by moving the location of the top of the strut mount. When you installed your new strut inserts it is unkely they were put back exactly where the alignment shop set them. Capisce?

[Wil Ferch]

Don't understand..... the shocks can be replaced w/o upsetting the settings of the three little screws that locate the top of the strut. You only need to remove the middle large nut and go from there. The rest of the procedure has been documented. When you changed out the shock insert did you un-do all the screws. If "yes"....that's your problem....but you didn't have to do it that way.

[FinallyGotOne]

nope nope nope. All I did was undid the 22mm nut at the top. and the roll pin at the base. it was a easy R&R no issues. not sure what the hell is up. I'm taking it to the alignment shop on Tuesday to at least check measurements.

I'm wondering if it has anything to do with the different looking strut inserts that I replaced them with? The inserts in there seemed a bit different in shape, my replacements were the required Bilstein HD. ?? maybe that has something to do with it? Perhaps the measurements to the fenders did change about .25 inches? that could cause a issue too right? I did not cut the rubber accordion thing and left it as it was. the ones from the old inserts were cut, but they were larger in shape also.

[FinallyGotOne]

well I did take the car to a friends house tonight where we did the strut inserts, oddly the passenger side was actually higher than my initial pre-work measurements at the fender by .25 inches. I adjusted it back down to the 24.75 it was sitting at and I'll see if that makes any difference. Wonder why the difference in ride height from just changing out strut inserts??

[jmcn3rd]

FWIW, I have a similar issue after replacing my strut inserts and rear shocks. Slight pull to the right and steering wheel vibrates over 60mph. I may have loosened the strut housing though on one side. I have an alignment/CB planned for the spring which I am hoping clears it up. I did go from gas to hydraulic shocks which appears to have lowered the height some. My car is in hibernation now which is the only reason I'm not obsessing over it right now. Joe

[FinallyGotOne]

These Cars Are P-i-c-k-y!

[JFairman]

Changing the front ride height can change the toe a little bit if the tie rods are angled upwards a little bit from lowering the car.
You can run squared off strings down the side of the car at hub height (simply tieing them to jackstands or to poles resting on jackstands will work) and measure the leading and trailing edges of the wheel rim to to the string with a tape measure and see.. and adjust the tie rod ends.

For a street car about 1/16" toe in is good at rest from stopping without using the brakes.
That way it actually straightens out from suspension compliance to around 0 degrees toe as you drive down the road.