Any mechanic or Porsche mechanic?

My Porsche mechanics don't work on weekends and it's tough for me to lose my daily driver for a day. My car pulls to the left and I assume it's a simple alignment issue. Should this a straight-forward repair for any shop? A new repair shop opened up nearby that has BMW/Porsche/Merecedes logos on their sign - which I know means nothing... but they are open on weekends and it would be nice to have a place to take my car for oil changes and simple stuff like alignment adjustments. I'd quiz them a bit about 911s prior to dropping it off, but am I nuts to even consider it?

Like you said, check them out first. But for a simple alignment issue, I wouldn't be too hesitant. I get my car aligned, tires balanced and rotated at a local shop with no problems.

As for oil, make sure they know what a dry sump is!

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Joshua Harrison
1968 912 Coupe

The front alignment is pretty straight forward. Any competent mechanic should be able to do such an alignment. The rear is where the wrench needs expertice with the P-car. I've had mine done by both, each with good results. Remember, just because a person advertises themselves as a Porsche wrench, does not mean he can do the job properly.

Check your ride height. If the front conrer on one side is lower the car will pull in that direction. Mine did. If its the ride height, you should be able to adjust it in about 2 minutes. Past threads tell how to do it.
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Paul
78SC Targa

You don't need a so-called Porsche mechanic to align your car. What you really need is a great alignment shop. In my experience alignment shops that know what they're doing know much more about proper alignments than the Porsche specialists who know how to bolt parts on and off of our cars. Of course it helps if the shop knows about Porsches too, but I would look for an alignent specialist over a Porsche mechanic to setup my car.

If it's any consolation, my mechanic sends my car out to an alignment shop, but they do have the necessary equipment to properly perform a 4 wheel alignment on a Porsche.

By the way, what are you guys paying for a full alignment?

Thanks!

I paid $75-$85. I can't remember exactly. I went to an alignment shop that's right next door to a Porsche mechanic garage so they're obviously familiar with Porshces. (Straightforward Alignment in Santa Cruz) Took a little over an hour I think.

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Zach
77 911S 3.2

Sheesh, I must have really gotten soaked then. My mechanic added $200 to the bill for sending my car out for an alignment.

Improper hose routing, setting the mixture, timing and other stuff to compensate, gouging me for an alignment........A painful lesson indeed.....

DOH! False alarm - my left front tire pressure was way low. Glad I checked before making an appointment. Good info though, thanks.