MassGuy

What should an alignment cost on a 964?

I would also like to know what a corner balance should cost.....

Thanks in advance. Its always good to know what to expect. Knowledge is power!

RicardoD

I recently got quoted 4 hours for corner balancing and alignment at $120 an hour. This was from a local shop that specializes in track setups on all types of 911s. This represents the upper bound of price ranges in my mind.

In the short term I am seeking an alignment only when I change tires. Still figuring this one out.

RicardoD

Here is another data point, my wife's A6 got a 4 wheel alignment for a little under $100 through the local VW/Audi Independent shop that specializes in tuning cars for customers. They outsourced it to the Firestone place down the street who they trust. I believe all shops are using the Hunter alignment machines but I don't want some minimum wage hack under my car wrenching away on my suspension. So I'm looking at a range of $480-$90. I want to find a place I can trust say at $200. Is this wishful thinking?

ilko

Corner-balancing takes time if you want it done right. Yes, everybody uses a Hunter alignment rack but there are a lot of subtleties that the properly trained technician will look for, find, and correct. You want someone who knows Porsches well to work on your car if you want it done right. If you want it done on the cheap, don't bother. Corner-balancing and alignment should run in the $500+ range from a shop that charges $80+ an hour. Once the car is aligned and corner-balanced properly you will have one great ride and you'll be happy you spent the money.

cobalt

That seems a bit high. I usually spend about $170 for an alignment. Corner weighting shouldn't be more than an additional $175. This is from high end Porsche specialists.

I just picked up my car yesterday. Had a complete alignment added more negative camber and had a sway bar mount fixed at a cost of $288 with tax. BTW the car handles so well it is uncanny.

bb964

I was quoted $200 by a Porsche specialty shop for just the alignment. Will have it done on Monday.

blake

This might sound surprising, but I routinely pay $36 for an alignment for my 964 at an independent that only does alignments in Salt Lake City. My local mechanic recommended them. It is not a track car, so I do not need corner balancing. However, it has proven effective and gives even wear on my tires. Because of the price point, I do it once per year and put about 1500 miles on the car annually.

Looks like that price is at the low end...

-B

JasonAndreas

In Western Mass at Father & Sons Porsche dealership an alignment is supposed to cost $189.99 UNLESS you have a 964. In which case they will call you two hours after dropping off your car to tell you that it will cost an additional $200. Even though you asked them on two separate occassions on the phone before dropping your car off, once while at the dealership and once after you got home (an hour later) if setting the ride height was included in their quote. I've seen older (early to mid-nineties) Hunter alignment racks for sale at ~$1k and I think if I see one again selling for a similar amount I will add it (or smartstrings and a camber/caster gauge) to my toolbox.

With the relatively high spring rates used by your PSS9s you definitely want to pay extra (whatever Jerry@EPE charges will be worth it) to have the ride height corner balanced rather than just setting the height based on a distance measurement.

jjbunn

I had mine done last week for $99 at JustTires. A thorough job, and a detailed printout of what the parameters were before, and after, alignment.

MassGuy

Well Jason I know where I wont go thats for sure!

I was quoted a price of $400 for an alignment and a corner balance. Sounds like the fair median price. I am looking forward to getting it done.

ddubois

B,
Where do you go in SLC? I used Val's based on multiple recommendations. Four wheel align was $105. That was after I installed new springs and struts so I would guess it took a little longer than usual.

jimq

I paid $220 at the local Pcar dealer a few months ago with PCA discount to adjust ride height and align. I do street only so dont see any need to bother with corner balance.

cobalt

I would be furious and never use that shop. You quote a price you should be honorable and stick to it.

Yes the older Hunter racks are for sale cheap. I found out recently that a shop I used for many years has one of the older ones and Hunter will no longer service, calibrate or support them. So recently I have heard people saying that after having that shop do the alignment and having issues they brought it to another shop only to find the alignment wasn't close to the printout.

So although the person was making the appropriate settings, if the rack is out of calibration it isn't worth anything.

jjbunn

The variation in cost here is breathtaking ... from around $40 to $400! What's the justification? My understanding was that alignment is a simple job with the right equipment. It's not rocket science, and shouldn't take long. Or is there a subtlety?

cobalt

I won't comment on price variation but it is a bit more complicated than just setting and forgetting. Most shops will just set the car to factory tolerances which is fine for the average joe. However, if proper care is taken to adjust it precisely and not just within spec it can make a world of difference. Then you can take it to the next level where many of us are. No longer within spec for stock but have added negative camber and adjusted toe angles to give you the optimum in stability and handling. My car has had three different alignments in the past year. The first will give me the maximum tire life and was very soft and easy for street driving. Then I lowered the car and had some negative camber added. Last was to add a little more negative camber and adjust my sways. The car is incredibly neutral and easy to drive. It will do nothing for tire wear but boy does it handle and the car is so much more comfortable at speed than it was originally. I find myself wanting to drive well above the speed limit because it is so stable you would think you were doing half what the speedo tells you. Turn in is precise and crisp and just a blast to drive. Since I use this car for track and AX mostly I don't care about tire wear but maximum performance. The big issue is finding the person who knows the differences between just doing it to the book and doing it to suit your needs.