Marlon Targa 86

Took my 1986 Targa to the track at Buttonwillow, clockwise.

After the event I noticed my steering wheel alignment is off slightly to the left when i drive in a straight line forward.

A couple of days before, I hit a big pothole at 55mph with the left side of the car.

So, is the alignment off becuz of the track driving or the pothole or is it both?

Marlon

ivangene

both...

the stress on the "system" as a whole most likely caused a slight shift in something.

does it track straight? if so you might opt to watch tire wear as a sign one side is out, or if its pulling slightly have it re-aligned

Marlon Targa 86

Yeah, the Targa flexes quite a bit, I'm wondering if I pushed the car too much. Although i didn't drive ti more than what I think it should be able to handle.

Maybe it's time for a strut brace?

Marlon Targa 86

I can't find a leveled street highway in LA... it's ridiculous. We have the worst streets.

BUT, it pulls slight to the right I think. It's hard to tell. I'm taking it to have it re aligned. We'll see.

ricster

Bad streets in LA? from what? You want to see bad streets, come East

Ed Hughes

I seriously doubt you bent your tub....one of the best drivers in DFW PCA drove a stock Targa much faster than most street cars at our events there. If he couldn't kill it, neither can you.

You may've knocked an adjusting nut loose, or the top of a strut or something else loose. Then, the stresses at the track exacerbated the issue. Id get under and check everything for visible issues and to an alignment shop. If it really is pulling enough, you'll eat up your tire quickly. If something is loose, it can get real bad.

whalebird

Pothole. A targa is not going to "bend" from track use. A jolt from such an impact may rupture a bushing that was getting old. Specifically, I would look at the control arm bushings and the top strut mount (possibly steering rack mounts). Slight toe in/out will not create a pull to either side, keep in mind. It will cause funny feelings when the steering is slightly off center, or when turning in/tracking out. What will cause a pull to either side is camber. Have your alignment checked, but only after a good porsche shop inspects things closely. Look at your wheels closely for a bend, and your tires for any damage. if an alignment shop attaches the heads to the outer rim lip and the wheel is bent, they're not going to accomplish anything.
Good luck and don't sweat it, this happens all the time. Your targa is just fine.

Marlon Targa 86

Thanks, that makes me feel a lot better. I'm taking it in for a check up/alignment soon.

Marlon Targa 86

Cool, thank you for that reply. Makes me worry way less. Off to the alignment shop!

rusnak

I would do a 4 wheel alignment for sure.

race911

If any "open top" 911 was a test case for chassis integrity, it would have been Hank Watt's (Secrets of Solo Racing) '86 cab that he tracked/autocrossed from the day he bought it until it met its end on a rainy freeway running on baldish RA1s. (I bought the engine out of the carcass.) I drove it when it probably had 150K on it, and all was perfectly fine. It was never wrecked, but it probably had sustained the most cumulative G-loading of any targa/cab ever produced other than Terry Zaccone's 3-4-500K mile '68 soft window.

Ed Hughes

I'd poke around a bit before just taking it in for alignment. If they go to work, and find bad parts, it may end up costing more. Best to fix, then take it in for alignment. Since you track too, get it corner balanced.

rusnak

Very good advice, Ed.

You want the alignment to be done after any repairs, so you don't do the alignment twice.