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)

 

Neither Firestone, Goodyear nor any local Richmond indy will perform a Porsche alignment ...
Rear thrust angle and 150 pound weight in the driver's seat are deal-breakers.
(Wish I actually weighed only 150)

 

Big-O refused to do an alignment on my car because they needed a special tool. They also said the car was too low for the sensors to work?

Went to a local mechanic who did it just fine, said he didn't need any tools or anything

 

there is actually a tool "needed" to align the rear suspension, it has an accentric that does the camber and toe - im sure it could be done without the tool but it would be fun. Ask for a print out of the end product if you have specific specs.

 

I bought the tool - and in the past I used to take the tool to a local shop to have the car aligned. Now, I've invested in enough "tools" that I do it myself.

 

i have the tool- found it stuck in my turbos rear suspension when i bought it.

 

Would a Porsche dealership perform the alignment procedure as it is outlined in the ship manual, or would that be asking too much of them? They probably don't have techs old enough to have ever done an alignment on a 944. I am having trouble finding a shop to do my alignment.

 

There's nothing scary or weird about aligning a 944-series car. The digital shop machine I used to use made it easy: you type in the make and model, and it would walk you through that car's process step by step. Even without the interactive instructions, it is straightforward for a 944-series. The factory workshop manual doesn't give a procedure, just the specs and where the adjusters are.

There are two "special" tools that are helpful: the rear toe eccentric (someone else mentioned this) and the tapered bolt used to lock the steering rack at center when setting the toe. You don't absolutely need the latter, most shops will use a generic steering wheel lock which is less accurate IMHO and requires trial and error to get a good centering.

The hard thing is finding a shop that will give the alignment work to someone other than a teenager they hired last week who will quit in two months and doesn't give a **** about the job or your car. Find an indy or dealer who cares about you and their employees, don't nickle and dime them on the work (that's why you get the teenager), and build a relationship.

Kevin
Catellus Engineering

 

I have posted before my recommended local Richmond area shop... SEARS in Virginia center commons just north of Richmond where 295 and 95 meet... Best alignment you can get for $69, and they have all the Porsche tools to do it right! (previous racer had his car aligned there once for the track then back to street specs for the week... Every week)!!!! They have done each of my cars more than once and never disappoint me!

 

Hi again John..
The Sears I called this evening was indeed the VCC location..
They asked "the Level 3 Tech" if they can/will/would do a 944 and he said: "No, due to the lack of essential tools and the extra measurements that Porsche includes in their alignment requirements. You must go to EuroClassics Porsche. "

How long ago was your most recent Sears VCC alignment?
Any name you can drop that I may ask to speak with there?
Thanks as always..
mikey

 

Special tool? Somebody please enlighten me on the special tool. (Not the steering rack one, know about that one)

Does it really help in aligning the camber/toe on the rear?

All have a great holiday!

Take care!

 

http://www.944online.com/cgi-bin/ASI...s2+tools-944s2

Yes, it's necessary to align the rear of a 944. There is a hole in the control arm - you put this tool in that hole, than you turn this tool to adjust toe.

 

Pretty easy and straight forward car to align. Only problem is I ran out of rear camber adjustments. I was setting a track align and -1.2* is all camber available in the rear, with out changing the rear ride height

 

How many of you have thought about doing your own alignment?

 

I did an alignment so the car can be driven. It isn't perfect but it drives straight. There are online tutorials that make it easy to understand.