If I were a betting man, I'd put money on that. Not to say there aren't tire shops that have qualified techs, just not one at the shop I chose. I should have dug deeper into the tech's experience and qualifications.

We all have our stories to tell. That's why Pelican Parts and the PPBBS are such huge resources for the Porsche community.

If he was adjusting the tie rods then he was adjusting the toe setting. It's just about the easiest thing you can adjust on the front of the 911. It's so easy that people refer to it as toe-n-go alignment. One way to make money is to charge for a four-wheel alignment and give the customer a toe-n-go.

I seriously doubt if the tech was nervous adjusting the tire rods. They just wanted you the hell of the shop.

If the alignment was free then you got exactly what you paid for. Find a real alignment shop and have the car corner balanced.

You might also spend some time learning what the various settings do. For instance I like a little toe-out at the track because I get quicker turn in. I also max out the caster - being careful to make both sides absolutely even. Most alignment shops set the caster different on the left and right sides to compensate for the crown in the road. It works but I've never been a big fan of it.


Richard Newton

Wheel and Tire Performance Handbook

i notice anything more than 30psi in the fronts and i get a very vague feeling, at times scary feeling of no control--especially as the gas tank gets emptier. try 30 and below, and, a few hundred miles of break in and this should go away

+1

I like 29 on my fronts...

After having the tires for about 2 weeks, I think I am getting used to the feel, although I think I prefer the more direct response before the new tire install. In any event, I took a closer look at the tie rods and noticed that both are squeezed where the tech used vice grips to hold it them while loosening the lock nuts. Should I be concerned that the rods are not 100% cylindrical? As posted previously, BIG TIME lesson learned here. At the very least, I should have taken the car to the tire shop recommended by the Porsche mechanic (same big chain company, different location).

I had your experience, but with Yoko ES100's. Went in with older Yoko's (520's, I believe... NLA) on the rear, came out with the ES100's. No alignment issues, already had ES100's on front from PO, no other changes. My car became quite tail-waggy all of a sudden. At home in the garage I pushed the car side-side and the only movement was in the sidewall. The sidewalls of some tires are definitely not as stiff as others. Have played with tire pressures to try to stiffen sidewall: end result was that the rears wore out in about 15,000km at the center rib (running at 36psi).

OT about tires

S-03 Bridgestone replacement.. notes in tirerack

I wore through 2 full sets of S-03's and loved them.

they are NLA

The Bridgestone replacement is 050A PolePosition and has about 1,000 miles on them.

The sidewall is stiffer than the S-03's. It's so stiff I thought it has to be my imagination. When I shake a front or rear fender side to side I would see some slop on the S-03's. On these new replacements it's like I'm trying to shake a brick wall. They ride like I jacked up the psi on the S-03's at least 10psi each.

I kept psi on both same at 29/35

I haven't read from other pelicanheads about this S-03 replacement issue either.

A couple of guys said "maybe they have to soften?" which doesn't make sense to me..



so this is just a heads up

ps: "2 full sets" means 4 tires on 1 set.
ie: 40,000 miles on 8 tires

If the tires are directional they may be on backwards.

I had a shop do this to me once and the car was very much all over the road. I took the car back to the shop, they reversed tires and the car drove like new.

I'd get that baby to a pro and have 'em make it perfect (I think someone sugg'd this earlier). Not comfortable with non-P wrenchs touching mine...(and to call it a "museum piece",...WTF? )

Tires (as mentioned) will take a bit of miles to break in....

Tomorrow I am taking the car to the big chain franchise first recommended by the Porsche mechanic. They will validate the alignment and comment on the tie rods. Hopefully, I won't kick myself in the a$$ for not going to this location in the first place (at least for the tire install).:o..don't get me started about the scratch on the lip of one of the wheels...no curb-rash Fuchs:mad:. I am sure the scratch can be blended out. At this point, it is the principle of the matter.:confused:

my bro in la la land had scratches on stock Fuchs from the tire installer.


he had them buy him a new wheel. This happened 2x at different places.

I missed the discount tire install ... check your oil lines and rocker covers for crushing if you bring the car to a non-porsche shop (which I'd avoid at all costs).

I took Mr. Tire up on their 500 mile or 30 day trial :Dand returned the V4S tires and got Yokohama S Drives instead. Dollar wise it was an even swap (shipping consumed the difference in the price). In any event, after one drive, I can feel a difference: much more direct steering response, although it could be my imagination. All in all, I feel good about the switch.:cool: