Fellow Pelicans - question (need help)

newjerseydave · 10-19-2014, 05:20 AM

OK, I have an '87 911 Targa with 94k miles. I had new Hankook tires (4) put on a bit over 6k miles ago. Over the past month or so I noticed that the front passenger side of the car (at wheel well) seems to be about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch lower than the front driver side. I meant to look into it further but got sidetracked.

Yesterday at a Cars & Coffee event, I noticed serious wear on the front tires and especially that front passenger side (the lower side). First pic below is the front driver side and second pic is the front passenger side.

Any thoughts on what may have happened here?

lpsalsaman · lpsalsaman's Garage

This looks like you have your "Toe In" is way too much, you need to adjust it "out" or take it to a shop to get it properly adjusted. If your tire pressure is correct and you have not had any incidents were your front end has gotten damaged, then this may be what the problem is.

matt f · 10-19-2014, 06:00 AM

Needs more negative camber as Ipsalsaman states.
Get a full alignment to set correct toe, camber, etc.

Matt

newjerseydave · 10-19-2014, 06:06 AM

thanks for the advice here. any recommendation for good all-season tires (Bridgestone Potenza, Continental, etc...)?

emac · emac's Garage

I Have the Potenza and love them.

Ernie

RSBob · RSBob's Garage

Tire recs depend on wheel size. The smaller the wheel, the fewer the recs.

dicklague · dicklague's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt f

Needs more negative camber as Ipsalsaman states.
Get a full alignment to set correct toe, camber, etc.

Matt

CAMBER and TOE are 2 different things.

yes a good alignment is in order.

BFT3.2 · BFT3.2's Garage

Not sure how far he is from you but I'd recommend seeing Tom Florio at Advanced Automotive in New Windsor NY. Full Porsche shop and he's the Tech Chairman for Hudson Valley PCA. IE: He knows how to do a proper 911 alignment, corner balance etc.

Advanced Automotive of New Windsor New York Orange, Rockland, Dutchess and The Hudson Valley's Premier Porsche Service Facility

matt f · 10-19-2014, 07:28 AM

NJDave,

My race car is set up so that, when I'm not in the drivers seat, the driver side front wheel well is approx. 1/4-1/2 inch high in appearance. Once in the seat, my 200lbs. levels the suspension, or close to level.

Besides toe and camber, the 3rd aspect of alignment is caster.
I don't believe caster can be adjusted, at least not to the degree toe and camber can, in your car.

Hopefully someone will chime in with some central NJ alignment shops for your 911.

Matt

KBOUSTANI · KBOUSTANI's Garage

I have hankook v12 and I love them

mreid · 10-19-2014, 07:42 AM

Worn suspension components, damage from bad road surfaces, and any "curb encounters" all conspire to knock your alignment and corner balance out of whack. If your suspension components are worn out or damaged, fix them first and then get a quality four wheel alignment and corner balance from a shop that knows what they are doing. Problem solved.

matt f · 10-19-2014, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dicklague

CAMBER and TOE are 2 different things.

yes a good alignment is in order.

Absolutely correct.
Camber is the "y" axis.
Toe is the "x" axis.
Looking down on your car, the toe is visualized as a bow tie.
Toe out in front, toe in rear.

Matt

newjerseydave · 10-19-2014, 07:45 AM

I will most likely use Gene at ******** in Peapack, NJ

How much $$ is a full alignment?

thanks.

matt f · 10-19-2014, 08:16 AM

Gene is an excellant choice.
My race car was built and serviced by him prior to my purchase.

I can't comment on specific $ amount.
Gene provides great service at a fair price.

Matt

Arne2 · Arne2's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by newjerseydave

thanks for the advice here. any recommendation for good all-season tires (Bridgestone Potenza, Continental, etc...)?

For wet and cold (not ice and snow) I really like my Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3.