944 Alignment/Balance

[jep32]

My S2 is due for an alignment/balance. As far as service shops go, is there anything unique to aligning the front end of our cars that warrants a speed shop or specialized Porsche service shop? Will the local trusted Goodyear or firestone shop suffice for a computer alignment and balance?

(this is a Sunday driver and never see's a track)

[flash968]

lol - yes there is something unique about the front of these cars - the need to do the rear

[9FF]

Most of those shops will only do half a job. You need a shop that knows these cars, especially the rear which requires a special tool.

I had to read the factory procedure, buy the rear alignment tool and teach the tire monkey at my local store how to do the job. He is now promoted to tire ape in my books.

If you dont have a specialist shop near you visit your local Goodyear when they are quiet and ask if you can work with the tech on your alignment.

[Gawernator]

America's tire, or Sears?

[VirginiaF1]

Originally Posted by Gawernator

America's tire, or Sears?

Just called Sears, they said "Nope... Dealer has the required tool"

[James Chimney]

keep in mind the Phone Dial rims have no "lip" for most alinement tools to clamp into, I take mine to my Porsche mechanic, I even get to watch and help

[jep32]

So sounds like I need to take to a speed shop? Any recommendations near Phila?

[Gawernator]

I went to the Sears here, they said could do my car and obtain any special tools they needed. Hmm?

[flash968]

lol - yeah - let's see them actually do that. make them show you the eccentric tool, and give you before and after results on the rear, including ride height. any alignment should include that.

also, make sure the machine has been recently calibrated. laser machines go out of spec, and need regular maintenance. garbage in garbage out.

as a rule, places like sears only sets toe and sometimes camber. they rarely set caster. they avoid messing with the rear at all and make comments like "it really doesn't do much". the reason is profit. it takes 2-3 hours to align these cars. they can't do it right for $89 if they want to make their numbers.

in reality, the rear settings on these cars are every bit as important as the front. much of what the car does is in the rear, and not the front. you may not notice it though until you drive a car that is right.

you get what you pay for.

[flash75]

I set the rear toe in on my car without the special tool. Used a 3/8" drive socket that fit in the hole for the special tool. A tapered alignment tool was used to lever
struts in the trailing arm slots.

Initially I had 1/2" toe in, ended up with 1/32" toe in. I moved each side equally,
hoping my rear tracking will be OK. Car drives and steers well so maybe I'm
close

Attached photo show what I used move the struts

Clifton

[jep32]

Just to summarize this thread, sounds like I should be going to a Porsche specialist/speed shop (kinda what I thought).

Thanks

[Gawernator]

Sears said they'd do the rear as well. I dunno

[44CUPMASTER]

.you have to lock the steering rack in place with a set screw .