What would you do? Alignment issue?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
What would you do? Alignment issue?
hello,
Need you advice. Recently purchase a 97 993, from the dealer. When I was testing driving it I notice that the p-car was pulling to the right and the vehical felt unstable. I told the saleman that. And he said they could do a alignment on it for $75 (normal cost $200). So with that among other things I agree to purchase the car?
When I pick up the car and drove it home I notice the same thing as if the car has not been aligned at all. I called their sale person back and they said just schedule an appointment with the service department and they will take care of it. Their service department said they did do an alighment and they need a work order from the sales department.
When I called the sales department they said that the alignment done should be correct but there could be something else wrong. And I may need to pay them to have them check it out. I also have reasons to belive that my tires are out of round (which could case the problems I am describing). And certainly if I take the car back they will blame it on the tires.
Also, my limited experience with alignment (have take two cars for alignments) is that if a shop did not get it right the frist time they will often not get it right even. and have to take it to another shop.
Need you advice. Recently purchase a 97 993, from the dealer. When I was testing driving it I notice that the p-car was pulling to the right and the vehical felt unstable. I told the saleman that. And he said they could do a alignment on it for $75 (normal cost $200). So with that among other things I agree to purchase the car?
When I pick up the car and drove it home I notice the same thing as if the car has not been aligned at all. I called their sale person back and they said just schedule an appointment with the service department and they will take care of it. Their service department said they did do an alighment and they need a work order from the sales department.
When I called the sales department they said that the alignment done should be correct but there could be something else wrong. And I may need to pay them to have them check it out. I also have reasons to belive that my tires are out of round (which could case the problems I am describing). And certainly if I take the car back they will blame it on the tires.
Also, my limited experience with alignment (have take two cars for alignments) is that if a shop did not get it right the frist time they will often not get it right even. and have to take it to another shop.
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,266
Likes: 3
From: Europe
You need the whole schmeer. Corner balance and alignment. Second rate shops only fuque it up... go for the best Porsche specialist near you.
Porsche 993 are very susceptible to alignmet problems. Part of the ownership pleasure.
Good luck
Porsche 993 are very susceptible to alignmet problems. Part of the ownership pleasure.
Good luck
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 5,351
Likes: 9
From: Neither Here Nor There
Originally Posted by Joe S.
Custom Alignment in Mountain View. You probably need new shocks anyway if they are the original shocks.
I suspect that when the car felt loose during the test drive, it was actually the result of (pick one or more of the following):
Bad Shocks
Bad Alignment
Bad Kinematic Toe
Bad Tires
...or worse...
In my case, I had two mechanics tell me that the shocks were fine and I needed an alignment. I ended up replacing the shocks (and springs and sways) and actually found out that two of them were leaking/shot.....so much for competent help.
Unfortunately, at the very least you need to bring the car to a QUALIFIED alignment shop that is fluent in what "kinematic toe" is and has the correct equipment to set it.
Trending Topics
Rennlist Stories
The Best Porsche Posts for Porsche Enthusiasts
Porsche Reveals Coupe Variant of the Electric Cayenne With a Fresh Look
Verdad Gallardo
10 Porsche Colors That Have More Personality Than Most People
Verdad Gallardo
Guntherwerks' Final Speedster Creation Is the Ultimate Porsche Restomod
Verdad Gallardo
10 Reasons I Hate Going to the Porsche Dealership (& the 1 Reason I Stay)
Joe Kucinski
Porsche Shakes Up The Nürburgring Lap Record Table Once Again
Verdad Gallardo
6 Ways the Porsche 911 GT3 S/C Redefines Performance
Joe Kucinski
10 Wildest Homologation Specials Porsche Ever Sold
Verdad Gallardo
Super Rare RUF BTR III Comes Out of Hibernation, Looking For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Porsche Opinions That Can Start a Fight
Joe Kucinski
Rennlist Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,259
Likes: 57
From: Nor Cal
Originally Posted by Dr. No
You bought the car from Rector, the Porsche dealer? They are not in Belmont.
If they said they'd fix it with an alignment - and didn't - take it back to them.
If they said they'd fix it with an alignment - and didn't - take it back to them.
They should correct the problem, no matter what it turns out to be. If they sold it to you stating they would fix it, then they should fix it. If the suspension is shot, I would upgrade before having an alignment done.
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,728
Likes: 6
From: Los Gatos / Tahoe, CA
Rector is actually in Burlingame, but close, both start with B. 
Yes, you should go back to the dealer and bitch until the make it right.
Here is a link to Custom Alignment: http://www.customalignment.com/
Yes, you should go back to the dealer and bitch until the make it right.
Here is a link to Custom Alignment: http://www.customalignment.com/
Drifting
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,074
Likes: 205
From: Paris
I would suggest a parallel aditional proceedure that the local stealer here tells you to do, after I told him your story.
Put what happened in handwriting, and your request for repair at the end of the letter (be courteous).
Include photocopies of your VIN, date of purchase, etc, and send them the letter (registered against signature).
Call them after you have proof they received it, and ask for the chief of after-sales (workshop chief or whatever they call the clown)
Ask him courteously for his name, for the complete repair, as you stated in your letter.
Just hope that he denies and rejects. if he does :
Call Porsche North America, and ask for head distributor sales.
Explain briefly your story and ask him for his fax number, to fax your letter and documents and your dealers details with the name of the after sales head.
Ask him if it is necessary to call Zuffenhausen, he will suggest not to and that he will take care of it.
If they intervened on an allignment on your newly purchased porsche,
It will be in their Porsche North America centralized computer.
You have a receipt for the $75.
If you do have the receipt or don't, they have a problem.
Wait 5 minutes.
Go see the dealer and watch how the after-sales chief's is going to welcome you.
I am not being sarcastic, I am dead serious.
Put what happened in handwriting, and your request for repair at the end of the letter (be courteous).
Include photocopies of your VIN, date of purchase, etc, and send them the letter (registered against signature).
Call them after you have proof they received it, and ask for the chief of after-sales (workshop chief or whatever they call the clown)
Ask him courteously for his name, for the complete repair, as you stated in your letter.
Just hope that he denies and rejects. if he does :
Call Porsche North America, and ask for head distributor sales.
Explain briefly your story and ask him for his fax number, to fax your letter and documents and your dealers details with the name of the after sales head.
Ask him if it is necessary to call Zuffenhausen, he will suggest not to and that he will take care of it.
If they intervened on an allignment on your newly purchased porsche,
It will be in their Porsche North America centralized computer.
You have a receipt for the $75.
If you do have the receipt or don't, they have a problem.
Wait 5 minutes.
Go see the dealer and watch how the after-sales chief's is going to welcome you.
I am not being sarcastic, I am dead serious.
Race Car
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,753
Likes: 2
From: McKinney, TEXAS
Originally Posted by FisterD
+1
They should correct the problem, no matter what it turns out to be. If they sold it to you stating they would fix it, then they should fix it. If the suspension is shot, I would upgrade before having an alignment done.
They should correct the problem, no matter what it turns out to be. If they sold it to you stating they would fix it, then they should fix it. If the suspension is shot, I would upgrade before having an alignment done.
Yes, if the salesman acknowledged the problem before the sales and promised to fix it to complete the sales of the car... you definitely need to go back to them. Especially if the problem is still there and can be reduplicated to show the same salesman... I would hold him accountable. Good Luck.
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 8,498
Likes: 27
From: North Dakota
I agree with the above... this is a problem to be solved by the dealer that sold you the car and told you it could be fixed for $75. You've paid the $75 and still have the problem. If they think its tires... fine, let them buy you a set of tires. Let them align it until they are blue in the face. If they think its a suspension problem... well, they're just gonna have to fix that for you. Geolabs suggestions are excatly right... start documenting everything.