WestEnd Alignment in Gardena IS FREAKIN' AWESOME!

[Wickd89]

Wow. What a day.

Just took my '89 Cabrio to Darrin and he was incredible.

First he asked me what I was hoping to do with the car and what kind of setup I wanted. We were scheduled for some new TURBO TIE RODS plus a full alignment and wheel balancing.

This guy really knows Porsche Suspensions!

He checked out everything that could effect my suspension and came back with a review:
-- one rear tire has damage and causing misbalance, need to replace.
-- Both rear tires should be swapped. Compound level very different than fronts causing reduced performance.
- Old rods. One was twisted causing reduced suspension travel -issue
-- Broken rear sway bar bracket. Will return to have new bracket installed.

One great thing to hear was that the cab was in great shape and had not had any damage. He noted that the car has no signs of flex and that most targa and cabs show some degree of flex. Looks like the two previous owners were quite gentle with the car.

So just a little recommendation.

If you want to redo your suspension: Go to Darrin!
-- Very nice
-- Very knowledgeable
-- Very reasonable $

Thanks for the tips from other Pelicans about him. It was worth the drive up from OC.

[cab83_750]

I tried to use him, but he was sooooo booked! How long did you wait for your appt? What is the rate nowadays?

[MIK911]

I've been raving about Darren at West End for yrs, ever since he 'transformed' my suspension. It was a noticable difference as soon as I left his driveway.
Glad to hear he's doing well (busy).

[Wickd89]

Installation of tie rods on mine was $85. Sounded really good to me...
Alignment was less than $45 for the front; I think 65 for the rear. He even finished the alignment with me in the car!!!
His summary of my car was priceless!!

He is really honest and seems to be a man of his word.
Lived up to his price quote, even though the tie rods went up in price.

As far as waiting. Since this is a weekend car, I was cool with booking and waiting two weeks.
Now that I need to have the sway bar bracket welded, we are planning for the first week of January.

He obviously is so good and reasonable that he is busy all the time.
He is very technical but also an artist in many ways.

[450knotOffice]

Great to hear, Luis! I PM'd you.

[88-diamondblue]

Luis,

Replace the broken sway bar mount with a Wevo mount, it will be the last time you will need to do it. It is so much stronger and sounds like you have the right person to install it.

[motion]

+1

Darren did an awesome job installing springs, shocks, rotors and pads on my 993. Also alignment and corner balancing. Very reasonable and very honest. Great guy!

[84porsche]

Another +1.

B D, another Pelican referred me to Darin and he did the full alignment/corner balance on my car a few years back and what an amazing difference.

[calling911]

Originally Posted by Wickd89

Installation of tie rods on mine was $85. Sounded really good to me...
Alignment was less than $45 for the front; I think 65 for the rear. He even finished the alignment with me in the car!!!
His summary of my car was priceless!!

He is really honest and seems to be a man of his word.
Lived up to his price quote, even though the tie rods went up in price.

As far as waiting. Since this is a weekend car, I was cool with booking and waiting two weeks.
Now that I need to have the sway bar bracket welded, we are planning for the first week of January.

He obviously is so good and reasonable that he is busy all the time.
He is very technical but also an artist in many ways.

Curious.. if he told you your chassis was weak and showed signs of cracking would you still feel the same about him? Im just curious.. no sarcasm intended or implied.

[Wickd89]

Originally Posted by calling911

Curious.. if he told you your chassis was weak and showed signs of cracking would you still feel the same about him? Im just curious.. no sarcasm intended or implied.

Hi JP,
That was just some extra info. I knew the car was clean when i bought it, just nice to see that someone of his expertise saw that it was still straight.

Kind of like buying a car that should have rust, but you think it is fine. Great when it finally gets inspected and they tell you it is rust Free.

I would definitely feel the same about him. As you can see from the comments others have made, looks like a good guy with skills.

If he had told me that i had other issues, at least I could start working on them; and would therefore welcome those comments as well.

Also kind of like a home inspector tells you that you need to fix something. You are glad he makes you aware so you can do something about it...

thx..

[calling911]

Originally Posted by Wickd89

Hi JP,
That was just some extra info. I knew the car was clean when i bought it, just nice to see that someone of his expertise saw that it was still straight.

Kind of like buying a car that should have rust, but you think it is fine. Great when it finally gets inspected and they tell you it is rust Free.

I would definitely feel the same about him. As you can see from the comments others have made, looks like a good guy with skills.

If he had told me that i had other issues, at least I could start working on them; and would therefore welcome those comments as well.

Also kind of like a home inspector tells you that you need to fix something. You are glad he makes you aware so you can do something about it...

thx..

Oh don't get me started on home inspectors. LOL.. I just sold a house.. they HAVE to find things wrong or they feel inadequate. Although; surpisingly enough this one didnt have one of those hyper sensitive natural gas sensors that read gas right thru pipes.. hahaha..

anyway.. glad you are happy..

[Brillo]

As already has been said, Darren is a good guy and knows his stuff.

A few years ago he did the alignment and corner balanced the SC. Also had him replace the Bilstein inserts in front. One was stuck and even he had a difficult time getting it out.

[01sport]

Back in the early 90s I asked Pete Zimmerman where I should take my car for an alignment. He told me about a young man who was doing great work at Johnson's alignment. I took my car there and got an alignment.

Last year I was getting the centerlink on my BMW changed at an Indy in Gardena. The wrench told me I would need an alignment so I asked him about the shop next door.
"Oh no you can't go there. You have to wait 2 to 3 weeks for an appointment there. He's the best. He does very high end cars." So I walk over to see the high end alignment shop and I meet Darin the owner who is working on a 993.
"Can I help you?" he says.
"No thanks, I'm just waiting for my car next door. I really like your Shop. What are you doing to this porsche?"
He tells me how he's replacing the entire suspension for a guy who tracks the car. Two day job, very expensive. We chat a little about 3.2 porsches and he asks me what I'm getting done on my BMW.
"Oh, I need a new centerlink. I also need an alignment but I understand your pretty booked up."
So Darrin tells me to have the BMW shop bring it over and he'll do the alignment after hours and I can pick it up in the morning. I thank him profusely and come back the next morning to pick up my car pay my reasonable bill.

Early this year I decided to resurrect my 87 Cab. Shocks are groaning, torsion bar squeaking, the tires are shot etc. etc. I put on new Kumho MXs, order some Bilsteins from Pelican and call Darrin for an appointment. He puts on my new shocks, lowers to euro spec, does the alignment and corner balance and he throws in the "weld thingie" torsion bar fix until I decide what I want to do with the rest of the suspension. Car feels Great.

I pay the very reasonable bill and before I leave Darin asks a little about the car. "When was the last alignment done?"

I pull an old Johnson's Alignment invoice from 1995 out of the glove and there at the top of the page it says: (service performed by) "Darin"

We laughed. Small world.

Jeff

[rnln]

Wickd89,
those prices are without corner balance and camber setting?

[cab83_750]

Originally Posted by rnln

Wickd89,
those prices are without corner balance and camber setting?

Definitely without the corner balancing. To my recollection, it is in 100's with c.b.

[Wickd89]

no corner balancing. Not planning on tracking the car so I did not think it was necessary..

I have booked another appointment to get my sway bar bracket replaced. I hope to also have a pair of rear tires to add to project.

After that we can make sure all the changes work well together..

[Wickd89]

Another Great experience at West End Alignment.

Went back and he fixed my broken rear sway bar bracket. He ordered a factory bracket and did the prep and welding himself. He must have moved the sway bar on-and-off at least 10 times to get it just right.

When I got the new Bridgestone RE960AS pole positions. the car was really squirrelly, and it was a challenge to keep some pace on the Hangover Run; tires were getting broken in but still terribly loose rear.

NOW. With the fixed sway bar, it is pretty awesome and handling is greatly improved.

I will try it out and see if I keep the hard rubber or return for summer tires.. Right now, I think the setup is pretty good.... ;-)

[slodave]

Luis, you drove with a broken sway bar bracket? Yikes! I might have opted for a ride with Wayne instead.

As for the tires, remember, they need to be broken in and since it was cold, the tires (and road) never got warm enough. Even at Willow last month, my tires were not getting as hot as they should.

Dave

[Macroni]

Originally Posted by calling911

Curious.. if he told you your chassis was weak and showed signs of cracking would you still feel the same about him? Im just curious.. no sarcasm intended or implied.

Wow.... I do not even understand this statement.

I wish I could ship my cars west for repair....................

[surflvr911sc]

Been taking my car to Darrin, and driving 3+ hours round trip to get there, for over five years now. Great Guy, and the best alignment guy imo.