Dear fellow 951 brethren

I've got an '86 951 in generally "very good" shape, with new rubber (BF Goodrich on the original 16 Fuch's) with under 5000 miles. But the car DOES have 153k miles on it now. Has had a number of suspension mods, but mostly just sway bars, different shocks/ springs, etc. (Was tracked for a bit with a solid 28 mm bar on front, but now has a hollow 30mm sway bar on it.) It's pulled left since I bought it, and I've had an alignment done on it twice now (allegedly), and neither has fixed it. Pulls hard enough to the left that I have to have the steering wheel cocked about 10-15 degrees to the right for the car to just keep straight as I'm on the highway at 72. It's not impossible to deal with, but just an inconvenience. Detracts majorly from the pleasure of driving anotherwise lovely car.

Both guys have sworn that they have perfectly aligned the car.

Is there anything else you can think of that would explain why it's pulling to the left? It's the kind of thing that if I took my hands off the wheel, I'd be in the next lane in about 6-7 seconds. So not major, but not correct.

Tie rod?

bad bushing?

Oh, and the steering rack bushings were replaced due to other reasons, but the problem was there before and after, so unrelated.

Thoughts?

Thx.

 

I'd suspect the alignment.

 

Frame damage?

 

No frame damage.

And sure, "maybe" both alignments were F'ed up, and I'll possibly do a 3rd.

But if you had to consider alternatives, what else might explain this? I would try to switch wheels from one side to another, but they're directional, can't switch.

 

go to another place. Tell them what has been happening. You need to tell them that your steering wheel doesn't line up.
Did you get a data sheet?

 

they should have given you a printout of the before and after alignment specs

 

yep. I've got mine. you usually request them. Because to most, it's useless.

 

I have the same issue. I figured it was due to the credit crappy alignment I got at tires plus.

 

The last alignment the guy drove my car around the shop carpark to see what was going on. and he did it after he was done to make sure it was right.

 

Flip the tires around and see if that changes anything. And I think you might be able to put the rears on the front just for testing. If so, I would. That will tell you if it's a tire issue.

Did the alignment shop use a computerized laser alignment machine? If so, they should have a print out. If not, get a shop that has one. And stand there and look at the screen with the mechanic once they do the roll out so where it is before they start adjusting anything.

Look at especially at the caster on the front. They need to be the same.

Does it pull to the left the same amount when you're accelerating and steady 60mph?

TonyG

 

Who did the alignments? Porsche shop w/ experience on 944's?

Not too many alternatives to consider that would cause this. Most likely its an alignment problem, possibly caster or thrust angle.

You can swap the wheels/tires, its just the tread pattern is made for directional service, so dont drive in heavy rain. Will also get some more vibration or road noise from driving a directional pattern backwards, but its fine to run that way for awhile for testing.

 

Sounds like your car has nascars disease...........

 

Sounds like it could be a corner weight issue, like a 4-legged chair with one leg shorter than the others. Disconnect both sway bars and try again?

 

Check the upper strut mounts too.

 

sticking brake or seized wheel bearing.