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924/931/944/951/968 Forum Porsche 924, 924S, 931, 944, 944S, 944S2, 951, and 968 discussion, how-to guides, and technical help. (1976-1995)
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Wheel Alignment

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Old 11-11-2004, 10:02 AM
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arbeitm
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Default Wheel Alignment

Does anyone know a good wheel alignment shop in Westchester, NY?

I'm getting quotes of around $ 150. Does this sound right?

My other option is to take it to a Meineke or National Discount Tires and it will be around $ 50. But I'm not sure if that's a good idea or not. The people I spoke to didn't sound that knowledgeable.

Last edited by arbeitm; 11-11-2004 at 11:41 AM.
Old 11-11-2004, 11:40 AM
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arbeitm
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not many New Yorkers on the forum???

well can anyone at least tell me what a typical wheel alignment should go for on these cars (if it is different at all in the first place)?
Old 11-11-2004, 11:58 AM
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Mike Murcia
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I'm not in NY, but most decent euro shops around here quote ~$80-85 unless they run into a problem.
Old 11-11-2004, 12:17 PM
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RMills944
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A 4-wheel alignment is usually pretty expensive if they do it right.
Old 11-11-2004, 12:41 PM
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Mike Murcia
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One more thing. A special tool is needed to set the rear on these cars. Make sure the shop you take it to has worked on Porsches before. It's unlikely that a Meineke or National Discount Tire has the tool lying around.
Old 11-11-2004, 12:58 PM
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BruceWard
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You need a P221 tool to adjust the rear toe. Paragon has them for about $20. Get one and take it with you. Also on the 968 a 27mm thin wrench was needed to adjust rear camber. I took a 3/8ths thick 1 & 1/16th wrench that worked fine. Sears did my alignment they had a couple of new Hunter 5000 laser alignment machines. Cost was ~ $85.
Old 11-11-2004, 01:37 PM
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Granite 944
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The price you were quoted sounds about right for a 4 wheel alignment. I've been quoted $75.00 to $160.00 depending on if the rear end needs adjusting at that time also.
Definately do your best to find someone who has done these cars before. BMW, Audi and Porsche experience will be needed. As far as "the tool" goes.......a good, experienced shop will chuckle when you mention "the tool", as they know, they really don't need it to make the rear adjustments..........more than one way to skin a cat, ya know. Most shops won't buy every specialty tool thats called out for in the FSM's anymore than a lot of us will.
You might consider calling around, and setup a inspection appointment first. That will give them a chance to look at all the suspension components, and tell you up front if there is anything that needs/should be replaced prior to spending the money for an alignment, and the car's ability to hold that alignment. It will also give you a "feel" for that shop. Inspection cost shouldn't be more than about $25.00. A good shop will deduct that cost from the appointment you make to have the actual alignment done. Some really good shops, won't even charge you for an intial inspection check (they want your business). Good luck!
Old 11-11-2004, 01:43 PM
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Oddjob
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Porsche shops and dealers are in the $150-180 range for 4 whl in my area. I did have Tire Plus do it for me one time, but it was a pain. They first said no problem, but when I brought the car in, they said they couldnt do it and that a dealership would charge $400. After arguing for a while, I finally showed them how to do it and helped them with it. So I paid $100 basically for renting their alignment rack. And you can do the rear camber/toe alignment w/o the cam tool, but its a lot more screwing around and takes two people.
Old 11-11-2004, 10:58 PM
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bf95cab
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You can try Hectors Red Line Automotive on Central Ave in Scarsdale. Good guy, knows his stuff, honest and fair; but I'm guessing the price will be about what you were told.
Old 11-15-2004, 03:24 PM
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nize
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what specific settings do you all run your alignment at? or do you just stick with the factory alignment settings?
Old 11-15-2004, 03:41 PM
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arbeitm
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since I'm going to start running larger wheels after the winter, I'm going to have them adjust it for that.



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