Alignment :(
10-02-2008, 03:42 AM
#16
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The 928 has some pretty strong suspension components. i have a slight click in my upper a arm on the passenger side that has not got a bit worse in 7 years of racing. I actually bought a rebuilt one, but its just not bad enough to replace. I finally changed a tie rod after it was about as loose as a loose wheel bearing. None of the above would cause a bum alignment. when its loaded up, on the alignment pads, nothing is going to move. If it does, well, you then have a REAL big problem and probably shouldnt drive it home 
anyway, do as the group has suggested. jack it up, grab the wheel top and bottom and see if you get movement. if you have any , its generally wheel bearing. (then tighten it up). grabbing it front and rear and seeing movement is generally tie rod, but could also be wheel bearing. If its just a slight click, dont worry about it. if it is some movement, like you can see it move, then you need to dig a little deeper.
as was said, most aligment shops have some pretty lame mechanics.
mk
anyway, do as the group has suggested. jack it up, grab the wheel top and bottom and see if you get movement. if you have any , its generally wheel bearing. (then tighten it up). grabbing it front and rear and seeing movement is generally tie rod, but could also be wheel bearing. If its just a slight click, dont worry about it. if it is some movement, like you can see it move, then you need to dig a little deeper.
as was said, most aligment shops have some pretty lame mechanics.
mk
10-02-2008, 09:24 AM
#17
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This needs to be done with the front wheels loaded. You may recall that we did yours on my Carl-made 928-custom ramps?
Drive the car on ramps. Pull both steering rack boots away from the rack to expose the inner joints. Then have your helper load and unload the steering wheel while you watch for abnormal movement of the inner and outer joints. There should be no movement of the ball relative to the socket on the inner joint except for rotation. If you see the ball moving in and out of the socket the inner joint is trash.
It's harder to describe abnormal movement of the outer joint. But, again rotation only. No axial movement on any plane.
While your under the car, look at the rack pistons and bushings. Are the pistons moving left and right ONLY? Or do they move front/back? If the latter the rack is junk. If the rack body is moving around on its bushings more than about 1/4" new bushings are needed.
But, a trashy rack will not make the car unalignable. It'll just make the 928 feel like an America car with a big on-center dead spot in the steering wheel.
Drive the car on ramps. Pull both steering rack boots away from the rack to expose the inner joints. Then have your helper load and unload the steering wheel while you watch for abnormal movement of the inner and outer joints. There should be no movement of the ball relative to the socket on the inner joint except for rotation. If you see the ball moving in and out of the socket the inner joint is trash.
It's harder to describe abnormal movement of the outer joint. But, again rotation only. No axial movement on any plane.
While your under the car, look at the rack pistons and bushings. Are the pistons moving left and right ONLY? Or do they move front/back? If the latter the rack is junk. If the rack body is moving around on its bushings more than about 1/4" new bushings are needed.
But, a trashy rack will not make the car unalignable. It'll just make the 928 feel like an America car with a big on-center dead spot in the steering wheel.
By changing these failing parts the car will feel 100% different. The precision and feel will make you realize what this car is truly about. Worth every penny.
10-02-2008, 09:52 AM
#18
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This has been posted on the list many, many times, but just for clarification...
There are only two ways to acceptably align a 928:
- Align it without lifting the front wheels off the ground.
- After lifting the front wheels off the ground, attach a special tool to the front of the car and pull it down 60-70mm for one minute, release the tool and bounce the car several times at least an inch, then align it without lifting the wheels off the ground.
If any alignment shop tells you that they can properly align a 928 after lifting the car, leave! If they tell you that they have to lift the car to check the condition, tell them that you will have to drive the car for several miles afterward before it can be aligned. If they argue, leave!
It is absolutely certain that if you align the car after lifting it, the inside edges of the front tires will be severely worn very quickly. If a shop tells you anything else, they don't know anything about 928s.
And, just a comment - almost invariably, "a Porsche shop" means "a 911 shop". There is little to no relationship between a 911 and a 928. Most 911 shops know nothing about the 928, don't want to know anything, don't want to work on a 928, and will charge you dearly to screw up your car.
If you are going to drive a 928, buy the tech info CD set from Jim Morehouse and learn about the car...
Jim's email address is jim928ATptd.net - change AT to @.
There are only two ways to acceptably align a 928:
- Align it without lifting the front wheels off the ground.
- After lifting the front wheels off the ground, attach a special tool to the front of the car and pull it down 60-70mm for one minute, release the tool and bounce the car several times at least an inch, then align it without lifting the wheels off the ground.
If any alignment shop tells you that they can properly align a 928 after lifting the car, leave! If they tell you that they have to lift the car to check the condition, tell them that you will have to drive the car for several miles afterward before it can be aligned. If they argue, leave!
It is absolutely certain that if you align the car after lifting it, the inside edges of the front tires will be severely worn very quickly. If a shop tells you anything else, they don't know anything about 928s.
And, just a comment - almost invariably, "a Porsche shop" means "a 911 shop". There is little to no relationship between a 911 and a 928. Most 911 shops know nothing about the 928, don't want to know anything, don't want to work on a 928, and will charge you dearly to screw up your car.
If you are going to drive a 928, buy the tech info CD set from Jim Morehouse and learn about the car...
Jim's email address is jim928ATptd.net - change AT to @.
10-02-2008, 08:20 PM
#20
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Thread Starter
Update: Much cooler head today went over with my mechanic turns out only the inner and outer tie rods on right side are done ordering those these week. Where is cheapest I can get these from?? Thanks btw
10-02-2008, 08:32 PM
#21
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10-03-2008, 01:34 AM
#23
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Fascinating how bad upper and lower control arms turns into only one tie-rod assembly required.
I suspect they make a lot of money when they 'align' (the wallets of the owners of) 430s and 911s.
I suspect they make a lot of money when they 'align' (the wallets of the owners of) 430s and 911s.