Yet another alignment ?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 457
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From: Picton Ont.
Yet another alignment ?
84' 928S 5 speed; very low mileage (approx. 55k kilometers)
It seems to me that my 4 yr old tires were wearing pretty evenly (less than 2k kilometers per year) until I replaced the motor mounts. Since then I have irregular wear on all 4 tires -possibly more on the drivers side- and some of the wear is cupping as in worn shocks even tho my ride height and road ride hasn't changed and a "shock garage" also felt that the shocks are good.
?#1 - I don't see how my motor mount change with associated suspension lowering to access the MM would affect the rear tire wear?
?#2 - The nearest qualified alignment shop is 45 miles away and since the current tires produce a fair bit of vibration I am considering shipping the Shark to the shop; have them install the 4 new tires; drive on the new 4 for 40-50 miles and then do the alignment. While I'm concerned that driving on the new tires prior to alignment may cause some tire wear I don't see much option since she'll be off the ground to change tires and will have to settle out the suspension prior to alignment?
Any answers would be appreciated.
It seems to me that my 4 yr old tires were wearing pretty evenly (less than 2k kilometers per year) until I replaced the motor mounts. Since then I have irregular wear on all 4 tires -possibly more on the drivers side- and some of the wear is cupping as in worn shocks even tho my ride height and road ride hasn't changed and a "shock garage" also felt that the shocks are good.
?#1 - I don't see how my motor mount change with associated suspension lowering to access the MM would affect the rear tire wear?
?#2 - The nearest qualified alignment shop is 45 miles away and since the current tires produce a fair bit of vibration I am considering shipping the Shark to the shop; have them install the 4 new tires; drive on the new 4 for 40-50 miles and then do the alignment. While I'm concerned that driving on the new tires prior to alignment may cause some tire wear I don't see much option since she'll be off the ground to change tires and will have to settle out the suspension prior to alignment?
Any answers would be appreciated.
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 7,742
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From: Minneapolis
Getting new tires and then an alignmentsounds like a good plan. Unless the toe setting is really off, like you can tell by eye, a 40mi drive won't damage the tires.
Perhaps the fixed engine mounts just made the tire vibration noticable?
Perhaps the fixed engine mounts just made the tire vibration noticable?
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Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Ball Ground, GA
I would suggest:
- Very carefully check the work done in installing the motor mounts, especially tightness of suspension and steering bolts. I don't see how this work could affect rear tire wear, though. Is it possible that you are just looking more closely now? Or that the wear has be ocurring all along, and is just showing up now?
- Check and adjust the ride height, then check the alignment at home with level, strings and straightedges. Correct any obvious problems - sounds like the toe is way off. Toe is the easiest to check and fix.
- Drive the car to the shop and have the alignment done.
- Install new tires.
- Very carefully check the work done in installing the motor mounts, especially tightness of suspension and steering bolts. I don't see how this work could affect rear tire wear, though. Is it possible that you are just looking more closely now? Or that the wear has be ocurring all along, and is just showing up now?
- Check and adjust the ride height, then check the alignment at home with level, strings and straightedges. Correct any obvious problems - sounds like the toe is way off. Toe is the easiest to check and fix.
- Drive the car to the shop and have the alignment done.
- Install new tires.
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 510
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From: Glen Mills, PA
Deb,
Do the quick toe-in eyeball check or string check on my site. If OK, you won't hurt the tires while settling. Measure the front ride height using the fender lip before having the tires replaced and after to verify settling before alignment. http://members.rennlist.com/captearlg/
Do the quick toe-in eyeball check or string check on my site. If OK, you won't hurt the tires while settling. Measure the front ride height using the fender lip before having the tires replaced and after to verify settling before alignment. http://members.rennlist.com/captearlg/
