Erik Juhl

After reading this board for alignment tips and failing to successfully align my shark myself, I took the advice of others and found an alignment shop that had a Hunter DSP400. When I got my car there, the tech tells me he can't do it. Now, I'm not *exactly* sure why he said he couldn't do it because he had a very thick accent. However, I think he said something about not having a ride height cross bar. Can anyone make any sense of that? Was this guy just completely confused? Can a Hunter DSP400 align a 928 as is or does it need a special part for the 928? I'm trying another shop tomorrow that also has a DSP400 and I really hope to get educated by one of the other owners before going in.

GlenL

Whaaa?

I've watched while it was done on a Hunter machine and there was no extra equipment used. They attach the paddles to the wheels and go.

I have been cautioned that the front end was too low and might scrape. Maybe he was going to check ride height and there was a tool needed for that. Always done that me self.

Ed Taylor

What Glen said.
I,ve done it myself on a hunter. No special equipment needed other than patience.

heinrich

YES an additional part is REQUIRED. It is part #HA9834ZZZOPJB-0005. This part is incredibly hard to find, because most alignment shops have never heard of it, much less seen or installed/calibrated it. Hunter part #HA9834ZZZOPJB-0005 is commonly referred to as an alignment technician with a brain.

Jim_H

Erik,

The Les Schwab in Lake Grove has a Hunter and a nice German fellow who appreciates 928's. He'll let you in the pit with him and talk your ear off.

Cheers

Randall

I think the special part is the tool used to pull the front end back down after being raised. This is also shown in the factory manuals. If they do a 'rolling compensation' and the car is not raised at all, then you don't need it. But if they raised the front end to do the 'compensation' and didn't use the tool to pull the front end back down.....then your alignment will be waaaay off, and it will chew up your tires (inboard tread) in short order.

Randall

Ron_H

I called Sears. They have a Hunter DSP400, but said not to bring my car down because they wouldn't do it. I think it is the height, because the Hunter area rep called to explain that some shops worry about clearance on to the ramp. I said that is ridiculous and called another shop that preps race Porsches and they will do it on their Hunter. I think Heinrich has correctly identified the problem.

Big Dave

Well, I can testify to the fact that the front spoiler has no problem encountering the ramps. It made it up and onto the Hunter without a problem.

The folks at the front desk at Sears didn't think they could help me either. I told them to talk to the guys who got their hands dirty. 5 minutes later my car was in the service bay.

WayneA

If you are in the San Francisco Bay Area, try Roger Kraus Racing for alignment and corner balancing. Roger's son does the work and he is very good. 4 wheel alignment, corner balance and ride height adjustment was $220.00 last time I had mine done.

WayneA

2V4V

Just don't let RKR touch your T-belt.

They did T-Belt for my car's PO (at least, according to the receipt the PO had). They did NOT replace all the bearings (one thing you never skip if you know what you're doing). F'n bearing seized up on my trip home with my car. I was only 350 miles from home, it was 20 deg F, and I was NOT happy.

If in fact, they did the T-Belt like the receipt said they did- and I have no reason to believe otherwise - I wouldn't let those guys check my tire pressure. That tech should be sentenced to Yugo duty for the rest of his life.

Greg

heinrich

GByron I agree that all rollers must be replaced. However some very reputble wrenches refuse to replace all rollers, because they say they do not need replacing. I had mine done and specifically insisted that all rollers be replaced, but on receiving her back was told only the big roller had needed replacing. I think the price / amount of work to replace the smaller rollers is prohibitive, and therefore they just won't do them.

I have done 2 t-belts and each has had every roller, the belt and pump replaced, and the tensioner rebuilt. I would never do any less.

2V4V

Heinrich,

Yeah there's guys who say lotsa stupid stuff. In fact, that's exactly what the RKR folks told my car's PO.

They get away with it, because they bet that the client will sell the car before it becomes a warranty issue.

Pathetic that some shops won't do a job right, because they don't know any better (call RKR, betcha they say they "know" 928s). I can understand a broke client not wanting to spend the $, but I wouldn't do a TB job, for anybody not prepared to spend the few extra $ to get it right.

Such is life,

Greg

Jerry 87 928S4

While looking for a DSP400 myself, I got this email back.

"Mike specializes in high line imports and would probably be more familiar with your type vehicle. He does not have DSP400 sensors, but does have new Hunter alignment equipment."

Anyone know what the new Hunter equipment is or if it will work? I have continued looking.

Chris Lockhart

My local tire shop with the Hunter machine has a 928 friendly technician, who has done several local 928'ers cars. Best part is that my last 4 wheel alignment cost me $60.00!!!!!!!!!!!! They "obviously" don't raise the car. He doesn't mind me in the shop watching, and the tires ALWAYS wear correctly and evenly.