Alignment in Northern Indiana - or DIY?

[PeterC911]

I'm sure this has been discussed here. I have read 101 Projects, but I was just wondering - how difficult can it be to do a basic toe/camber alignment? Has anyone done one? My garage has the typical slopes for drainage and housekeeping, so not sure if it is the best place to do one.

I am also sure that there are specialty shops for Porsche's, but should I go to the dealership for my 78? Or respectable multi-service garage? Or specialty shop only?

Background - this is not a race setup or anything, just for standard street application. Just bought the car in the fall and terrible alignment trashed tires, so winter project was polish fuchs. Now getting tires (Dunlop Direzza star spec) and need an alignment.

Thanks Birds!

[s_morrison57]

There is a 10 buck booklet on how to do a home alignment and corner weights by Ray Scruggs, I think I have his address some where if you want it I can look for it. you've got nothing to lose by trying it yourself. You send him the money by pay-pal and he emails the booklet to you . Send me a PM if you want his address
Finn

[emac]

Peter I live in Hammond and Pats frame and axle will fill your needs. All modern equ ask for Grant.
Ernie 81 SC

[PeterC911]

Finn: PM sent for info

emac: Thanks! I will look into them. I live in Fort Wayne, so that would be about a 3 hour drive. I may look to see if there is someone closer...

[Bob Kontak]

Porsches are not that exotic. If you are into the DIY thing, go for it.

I take mine to a shop in North Canton called Chassis Systems. It is a busy shop but only one guy does the alignments. It is not a Firestone or Goodyear and the guy is good. $52 for a basic four wheel alignment. It is probably like Pat's Frame and Axle in Hammond. Find that kind of place in your area.

[PeterC911]

Bob, That's exactly what I'm looking for! Just a simple shop where people are detail-oriented. I am pretty sure I can do a decent job myself, but I would want a honest shop to re-check to see how far I am off. Then I will know if I can maintain alignment myself or not.

I figured there has to be a Pelican on here that has experience with a shop somewhere within 50-100 miles of Fort Wayne.

[Lukesportsman]

If your tech calls on the phone after leaving him a print out of alignment details you'd like it sat out and tells you "I've tried for over an our and I can't get 1.5+camber in the rear", hang up phone and go get car.

Then drive really slow so by the time you reach home and are pale you realize he also set it with 11/16 tow out in rear too!

Be careful out here in the corn belt....you'd think they have never seen a VW before which is exactly what I said to him. Huh, won't be going back to that shop again! Started doing home alignments with digital Smart equipment afterwards. I may not be perfect, but sure the heck no more than some of the techs on what I'm AIMING. Accuracy and precision are not the same thing.

[jason2guy]

if ur pretty good at fixing things, like ur car, id give it a shot. follow the scruggs book and ull be ok.
have some good jack stands and jack and a lot of patience. the rear can be a little tricky to nail down. as far as the rear goes- a little adjustment goes a long way