Alignment &Turbo Rods/Shocks

[rekstein1]

As part of my winter projects I replaced the front Boge shocks with Bilstein, while I was in there I also installed the turbo rod kit, and just for good measure installed a Steve Wong chip.
I have read many threads saying the tie rod upgrade for the street is not worth it and doesn't feel any different. This could not be further from the truth. Turning that wheel at my normal cruising speed of 80mph on the way to work, a 1/4 inch in any direction commands and immediate response. Tight and responsive . I guess because the tie rod is an all metal connection there is no "slack" as the original tie rod has a rubber grommet and this is where the play of the wheel comes in.

My question to the group is after all this, an the wheel alignment the car feels weird at the high speed. Its not like it felt before as it was hugging the road and I felt attached to it. It kinda feels like unstable at the high speed, I wondering if this has anything to do with the camber of the wheel. At 80 mph there is no drifting of the car so its perfectly aligned. It just feels wrong. Groups thoughts would be welcomed

1988 911 Cab

[DRACO A5OG]

What is your Toe and Caster settings at?

[rekstein1]

The alignment was done by a very trusted mechanic. Let me repeat that very trusted. I assume it was done to specs on the alignment table that if were looked up, would give the the recommended settings. Are you telling me the recommended spec are not correct? An this is a feel sort of alignment thing? Just curious if the book is wrong. I will find out the requested info Monday.

[Trackrash]

So, you replaced the strut inserts, replaced the tierod ends, and had it aligned?

Nothing else?

It would be helpful if you had a printout of the before alignment settings and the settings after.

What tires do you have and how old are they?

What about ride height? Was that re-set? Bilsteins can cause the car to ride higher.

[Driven97]

Sounds like a bit of toe out. Up front, it makes the front end kind of "wander" on the freeway. Out back it makes the car feel spooky at freeway speeds.

I run very slight toe out up front on both my 911 and my daily.

[rekstein1]

Well here's the the story, apparently on the day of my alignment the printer broke. According to the mechanic the camber in the rear was set to -1, and the toe was perfect. Whatever that means. Just asking the group was should the setting be in the rear?

[Trackrash]

Spec is no toe at the rear. However, most will have a small amount (1/8") toe in at the rear as it aids stability.

My experience is, if your old tires had worn at a certain setting and that was changed it could cause dartyness.

[DRACO A5OG]

Originally Posted by rekstein1

Well here's the the story, apparently on the day of my alignment the printer broke. According to the mechanic the camber in the rear was set to -1, and the toe was perfect. Whatever that means. Just asking the group was should the setting be in the rear?

It depends on your driving style and tendencies, saying this here is what I have for an aggressive street use and on occasion AX:

Fronts: 0.75 Neg Camber 0 toe (I do not have darting issues but I can not fall asleep on a long hall either)
Rears: 1.50 Neg Camber 1/16th toe in
Euro Height with fronts a bit lower for a .75 degree rake
Corner Balanced

[redstack]

Draco,
What caster setting do you use?

[RSTarga]

Usually old tires or shocks

[msterling]

You replaced the front shocks and not the rears? It might be best to replace them too. Tires, tires, tires. Rake? front should be about .5-1.0 inch lower than rear.

My settings f. camber -.75, caster +5.8, toe +.08
r. camber -1.75, toe +.30. Fairly aggressive street/AX use.

Very stable on the highway but turns in quickly.

[DRACO A5OG]

Originally Posted by redstack

Draco,
What caster setting do you use?

about 6 degrees positive, she feels a bit heavy when parking but tracks super straight at speed.

[redstack]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

about 6 degrees positive, she feels a bit heavy when parking but tracks super straight at speed.

Ah see that's my problem, and I do quite a bit of autox, especially on small courses, I'd like to lighten up the steering some. I wonder if I reduce the caster to even 5+ if It might help some?

[stlrj]

Originally Posted by rekstein1

As part of my winter projects I replaced the front Boge shocks with Bilstein, while I was in there I also installed the turbo rod kit, and just for good measure installed a Steve Wong chip.
I have read many threads saying the tie rod upgrade for the street is not worth it and doesn't feel any different. This could not be further from the truth. Turning that wheel at my normal cruising speed of 80mph on the way to work, a 1/4 inch in any direction commands and immediate response. Tight and responsive . I guess because the tie rod is an all metal connection there is no "slack" as the original tie rod has a rubber grommet and this is where the play of the wheel comes in.
1988 911 Cab

I would say the alignment made the difference, not the the turbo tie rods. If you only made the tie rod change and nothing else, then you could say that with certainty.