1999-2009 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
many shops just adjust the tie rods on one end to get into specs and you end up with an off center steering wheel while going straight, a definite pet peeve of mine.
Theoretically, what the alignment person should do is to first center the rack with the steering wheel level, in most cases this is the default position if the steering wheel has never been taken off the column and moved. Then the tech should *LOCK* the steering with a clamp or whatever gadget the tech has. Next, the tech can now do whatever adjustments to the tie rods (yes, both sides if necessary) to bring the alignment into specs.
The tech may bounce the car front and back and do a number of readings in between so you get an reasonable average of the alignment specs.
The mounting of the alignment sensors on the wheels is also critical to the results.
At the end of the day, it really comes down to experience and how good the tech is in using the alignment equipment properly.
Go to the Hunter alignment machine site, get the local representative for the town you live in. Email or call the **SERVICE** representative and see if the person can recommend a GOOD shop. You can also email or call the Sales person as well to get a second opinion. I tried that a few years back and the Hunter representatives were quite responsive and gave me a list of alignment places with the latest Hunter equipment and a list he felt was good alignment shops. The two lists are not necessarily the same mind you 8-). Your local Firestone shop may have the latest equipment but a monkey to do your alignment so beware of that.
You can also call some local specialty shops for Porsche as well as your local Porsche Club of America to get some recommendations.
From my own experience, the best alignment I got was from a Midas shop around me with no special high tech machine but unfortunately it is no longer in business. I go to a local tire shop frequent by PCA members with an old Hunter machine.
Finding a good alignment shop and tech is way harder than finding a good physician.
posted by 12.171.1...
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