I took my car to Firestone for a four wheel alignment (I know, I know...but Austin is an hour away so I figured why not). I get a call back and the guy tells me they are unable to do the aligment because they don't have the "special tool" required to do the job Is there really a special tool needed? Or are they just intimidated because of the car?

 

either way count your blessings they didnt do anything and get it out of there

an hour away?? 140 miles?

 

Yeah, there are NO special tools for alignment! Run from that shop and take it somewhere else! Sometimes I have found that some of these tire place shops only do tires! They offer oil changes, brakes, etc etc, but I would not take any of my cars there for these. Only change my tires please

 

The only 'special tool' is the guy that called you...

 

Some cheap alignment shops cannot do toe adjustments because their equipment is not equipped or they lack knowledge. Make sure the next alignment shop can adjust camber, caster and toe. Good shops will take about 1.5 to 2 hrs to adjust and it makes a world of difference. I only had one of my rear wheels out of toe tolerance and it made a huge difference in handling. All my other specs were in tolerance FYI.

 

yeah you need someone who knows how to do it AND is willing to take the time.
they know that porsche owners are picky about handling and those car react a lot to alignment. so you need to go where it will get good care.

but don't ignore small shop, if they have a technician that is willing to put the time then it can be done very well. my local indy who never deal with Porsche had no trouble to make a perfect alignment. they just take the time and they have a good Hunter alignment machine as well.

Ask the shop what machine they have, if they don't even know the exact model, walk away

 

Hey Phillo

Any pics before and after with the RoWs?

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe the caster is adjustable on these cars.

-Shawn

 

I dunno. Below is factory specs and it shows a range.

 

Caster is not adjustable. Maybe.

There is a bit of adjustment I believe if one is willing to loosen up the fasteners at the top of the strut tower and move the top of the strut forwards or backwards a bit. There's not much 'adjustment' though.

The range is shown I believe so the alignment tech can flag a caster that is out of range. In this case the above adjustment might be tried, provided it works on these cars, and provided the caster setting is not wrong due to some worn or bent or damaged component.

Sincerely,

Macster.

 

If you have PSM, I think Porsche recommends checking or resetting the steering angle sensor. You generally can bypass this (not do it), but it is recommended.

 

Caster is adjustable on the GT3 via the control arm but not the "regular" models as far as I know. The GT3 has a bunch of other little goodies such as the two-position upper mount.

The workshop manual I'm looking at from 1999 says "The caster is not adjustable on standard vehicles. A caster eccentric can be retrofitted in the case of after sales service if necessary." Part number 996 341 941 01, which adjusts caster just like the GT3. It looks like it lacks the separate monoball end that takes shims for Yet Another Way To Adjust Camber the GT3 gets. Pricy.

I just had an alignment done today, and the machine indicated 7.5 - 8.5 as acceptable range. Mine came in at 7.4 on each side, so out of range. The Hunter machine immediately showed a picture of the service control arm. Since I have a C4S, I remain dubious as to whether the GT3 control arms will fit, not to mention their crazy price. Personally I'm much more concerned with my car maxing out at -0.3 degrees of front camber, which is ludicrously small for autocross.

 

You must have been to the same Firestone I went to....I had to have a tire removed and replaced with one I provided...the existing tire had a nail in the sidewall....they said it would take a full day so drop it off and come back tomorrow....reason being that "yea...porsche rims are made out of this special metal so...we have to be very careful...and it takes at least the rest of the day....we just want to be extra careful"...I ran out as fast as I could....
Take it to a shop that's done quite a few of these cars...

 

Thanks for the replies...I wound up taking it to a local guy who knows what the heck he is doing...it took him 2 1/2 hours but because he advertises 4 wheel alignments for 80 bucks that's what he charged me...all is well in the universe now

 

$80 is like FREE!!!

my last alignment was a little more, I had it corner balanced and new shoes fitted...I didnt get enough back out of 6 bills to take the family to McD's - but man is she sweet !!