Need an alignment in Northern VA (DC area)
01-21-2009, 03:44 PM
#3
Race Car
OK, heres a bump for Walid at Funktion Auto. Has all the right equip, IIRC it was around $150 and he is right around the corner. He offers a discount for PCA/Audi/MB/BMW club members as well, I just wish they could all be used at the same time.
http://www.funktionauto.com/
Michael
http://www.funktionauto.com/
Michael
01-21-2009, 05:54 PM
#5
Rennlist Member
+2 on Funktion.
Their facility is absolutely top notch with state of the art equipment. Based on their clientele, their techs are top notch as well. Stop in and take a look at the cars that are on the racks and you know you're at a high-end garage. It's clear that with the ongoing relationship that Walid the owner has with the 928 community, Funktion will stand behind their work.
If your car has to spend the night, it will be stored indoors under a security system that rivals any in the country.
If you compare the cost of an alignment done right the first time by an expert tech using high dollar equipment with the cost of an alignment in which the tech is learning on your car and/or the machine; or a job that may require some return 'tweaking', Funktion's rate shakes out to be very competitive.
My next non-DIY will be at Funktion.
Their facility is absolutely top notch with state of the art equipment. Based on their clientele, their techs are top notch as well. Stop in and take a look at the cars that are on the racks and you know you're at a high-end garage. It's clear that with the ongoing relationship that Walid the owner has with the 928 community, Funktion will stand behind their work.
If your car has to spend the night, it will be stored indoors under a security system that rivals any in the country.
If you compare the cost of an alignment done right the first time by an expert tech using high dollar equipment with the cost of an alignment in which the tech is learning on your car and/or the machine; or a job that may require some return 'tweaking', Funktion's rate shakes out to be very competitive.
My next non-DIY will be at Funktion.
01-21-2009, 06:20 PM
#6
Rennlist Member
If you end up going to Funktion (really a logical choice, given your location) & you get a chance, talk to Walid so that he makes the Rennlist/928/Frenzy connection.
If you haven't found a detailer, talk to Walid. Two years ago, at the Frenzy, Carl had a detailer do his black S4. The results were impressive. Walid could likely point you in the right direction.
Also, welcome to the Shark Tank!
Those of us in the area look forward to seeing your car & seeing you at the next Frenzy (which will likely be held at Funktion once again).
If you haven't found a detailer, talk to Walid. Two years ago, at the Frenzy, Carl had a detailer do his black S4. The results were impressive. Walid could likely point you in the right direction.
Also, welcome to the Shark Tank!
Those of us in the area look forward to seeing your car & seeing you at the next Frenzy (which will likely be held at Funktion once again).
01-21-2009, 10:44 PM
#7
Team Owner
Here in Denver at Brakes plus they have the newest Hunter ( optical/laser) machine and its 49.99 for a 4 wheel alignment.
The Tech thats has done all of my cars had a P car shop back east and he is doing the alignments, so no worries about lifting the front end prior to alignment
The Tech thats has done all of my cars had a P car shop back east and he is doing the alignments, so no worries about lifting the front end prior to alignment
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01-22-2009, 01:06 PM
#9
Rennlist Member
Yes, I'm familiar with the problems lifting it will cause. I read through the threads here extensively before starting. I've only checked the rears so far and the LR was 160 and the RR was 150. I was going to bring everything up to 170 at all four corners, but after rethinking it (and Dave at Motorsport saying he thinks it won't look good) I decided to start with 165 in the rears and 160 in the fronts and see how I like it there. I can go up or down if needed. My two main goals are to eliminate the rubbing at the left front and to make it "driveable" without constantly banging up the front spoiler or risking bottoming out on speed bumps and the like. I only had a few minutes to work on the LR on Tuesday night so I was only able to get it up to 165 before I had to leave. Haven't touched the RR or measured the fronts yet....
V/r,
Chris
V/r,
Chris
01-22-2009, 01:23 PM
#10
Race Car
Chris,
As far as Funktion goes, if you are interested in getting your emissions done they will send your car out of house to:
LeeHigh Autobody and Service Center
23685 Pebble Run Pl
Sterling, VA 20166
703.661.4000
They are familiar with the 928, as mine and several others have been there and know the issues with testing the gas cap as well as others like getting the car hot before testing. Funny enough they are just around the corner from D&V. Last time I was at LeeHigh they had another 928 there that was getting the rear bumper repainted after being burned/scortched. Don't ask me how and I don't know the owner as he is not on any of the lists that I am aware of.
G/L and hope things go smooth.
Jim, I do have room for multiple cars but not a lot if we need seating. We could easilly get one or two other things done though with proper planning. Also I only have 1 set of jackstands and they are currently in use so if some are needed they will need to be brought with. As for tools I have most of what we might need otherwise.
I'll send out my address as we get more people on board but I am sure that it looks like it is on. I for one will surely be there
Michael
As far as Funktion goes, if you are interested in getting your emissions done they will send your car out of house to:
LeeHigh Autobody and Service Center
23685 Pebble Run Pl
Sterling, VA 20166
703.661.4000
They are familiar with the 928, as mine and several others have been there and know the issues with testing the gas cap as well as others like getting the car hot before testing. Funny enough they are just around the corner from D&V. Last time I was at LeeHigh they had another 928 there that was getting the rear bumper repainted after being burned/scortched. Don't ask me how and I don't know the owner as he is not on any of the lists that I am aware of.
G/L and hope things go smooth.
Jim, I do have room for multiple cars but not a lot if we need seating. We could easilly get one or two other things done though with proper planning. Also I only have 1 set of jackstands and they are currently in use so if some are needed they will need to be brought with. As for tools I have most of what we might need otherwise.
I'll send out my address as we get more people on board but I am sure that it looks like it is on. I for one will surely be there
Michael
01-22-2009, 01:45 PM
#11
Rennlist Member
I think (not 100% certain) that I get rubbing on both front tires at highway speeds hitting significant dips. I say "think" because it's hard to be certain at those speeds, but it sounds like both tires rub in that situation. On my car, the right front has poorly adjusted camber so the inside edge is wearing, which means that the top edge is actually tucked into the wheel well a little. This has the effect of keeping it from rubbing as much as the left front.
The left front, however, appears to have close to correct camber, and you can clearly see by looking at it that the edge of the tire is sitting right under the lip of the fender. It DEFINITELY rubs regularly. It rubs on moderate dips and when turning sharply to the right at low speed. It even rubs when cornering hard to the right at moderate speeds.
I have not yet checked the ride height on the front. I wanted to work on the rears first since they're easier to get to and I wanted a chance to get familiar with the adjustment before I moved to the front. I'm hoping to finish the rears tonight and move on to the fronts, but either way I'll make a point of checking the ride height on the front and let you know what I find. Just by looking at it I can tell you that it is LOW. You can't even get a finger between the top of the tire and the fender. It's so low that I have to take any driveway entries at an angle or the front spoiler will rub. Have you measured yours? What size tires are you running?
V/r,
Chris
The left front, however, appears to have close to correct camber, and you can clearly see by looking at it that the edge of the tire is sitting right under the lip of the fender. It DEFINITELY rubs regularly. It rubs on moderate dips and when turning sharply to the right at low speed. It even rubs when cornering hard to the right at moderate speeds.
I have not yet checked the ride height on the front. I wanted to work on the rears first since they're easier to get to and I wanted a chance to get familiar with the adjustment before I moved to the front. I'm hoping to finish the rears tonight and move on to the fronts, but either way I'll make a point of checking the ride height on the front and let you know what I find. Just by looking at it I can tell you that it is LOW. You can't even get a finger between the top of the tire and the fender. It's so low that I have to take any driveway entries at an angle or the front spoiler will rub. Have you measured yours? What size tires are you running?
V/r,
Chris
Quick measurement reads 25.5", measuring at center of wheel, from floor to fender lip.
Tires 225/40 - 18
You are right... hard to say about rubbing at highway speed. Though I have the same thing with turns (mid-steer) and low speeds. I can hear it.
Visually I can see paint and rub mark about 3/4" down the sidewall from the tread, both side.
I may post this up to the wheels fitment thread because I know there are alot of 928'rs running ET51 Turbo's on the front. From what I've read, didn't read of any rubbing with 225's. Of course that is right height dependent.
So I think we're on the same page... time to raise the fronts.
Just a quick note. It appears the rubbing is on the hard edge of the fender "lip". Seems to me this could be formed or rolled upward to eliminate the rub. I'm a little reticent about doing this though.
01-22-2009, 02:52 PM
#12
Owns the Streets
Needs Camber
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Needs Camber
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
I had mine at 150-155mm. Guess it looked good.
Raised it up after losing a front spoiler.
Spoiler was $550 a few years back. That's just for the part.
Guess it all depends on how smooth and dip free the roads one drives on.
Also had worn out old shocks on the car that did not control body motions well and allowed
more body movement than fresh shocks.
Raised it up after losing a front spoiler.
Spoiler was $550 a few years back. That's just for the part.
Guess it all depends on how smooth and dip free the roads one drives on.
Also had worn out old shocks on the car that did not control body motions well and allowed
more body movement than fresh shocks.
01-22-2009, 03:45 PM
#13
Race Car
Ernest's car looks like a 4x4.
HAHA, really he has it set very high compared to most. I think that it suits his driving in NY with their really poor roads better than it would here in northern VA.
I think that this is Ernests car behind Waynes.
Michael
HAHA, really he has it set very high compared to most. I think that it suits his driving in NY with their really poor roads better than it would here in northern VA.
I think that this is Ernests car behind Waynes.
Michael
01-22-2009, 10:24 PM
#14
Rennlist Member
Those little-chrome-telescopic-magnetic-pickup-gizmos....
....that you likely have sticking around somewhere in or near your toolbox work well for getting a tight measurement when under the car. Just extend it to the base of the measuring point, carefully pull it out & measure.
....that you likely have sticking around somewhere in or near your toolbox work well for getting a tight measurement when under the car. Just extend it to the base of the measuring point, carefully pull it out & measure.
01-22-2009, 11:10 PM
#15
Owns the Streets
Needs Camber
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Needs Camber
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Good luck getting the height to your specs.
One of my front adjusters had seized. The poor mechanic threw everything in the toolchest at it and
finally ended up splitting the adjuster and getting a replacement adjuster nut.
He had wimped out after he wasn't sure if the shocks was going to explode from using so much torch on the adjuster nut.
I had to buy a front spoiler once. ONCE.
And parts supplier just laugh when I query if they had a decent S4 front spoiler for sale.
One of my front adjusters had seized. The poor mechanic threw everything in the toolchest at it and
finally ended up splitting the adjuster and getting a replacement adjuster nut.
He had wimped out after he wasn't sure if the shocks was going to explode from using so much torch on the adjuster nut.
I had to buy a front spoiler once. ONCE.
And parts supplier just laugh when I query if they had a decent S4 front spoiler for sale.