Alignment for a 997

[Finn997]

Quick question for you guys as I'm a total numpty when it comes to anything technical.

Just had new tyres fitted to my 997. Got the car back and the steering just doesn't feel right.

Tested it many times now and I'm convinced that with the steering wheel dead straight the car is slowing creeping to the right. Also, under hard acceleration when I lift off to engage the clutch there's a slight steering wabble that wasn't there before.

I've checked (a few times) that all tyre pressures are correct and even. I'm guessing that the tracking may be off and I need to get the car aligned.

Does this sound right? Based in West London so any ideas of who could do a proper job in checking and fixing the alignment for me (don't want to get raped by OPC...)?

[Dr S]

It surely will be the alignment. If it's only a minor issue, then a kick on one of the wheels (you just need to know which one, which might be difficult) can solve it all.

[bermyandy]

Try Kwik Fit:

Chelsea Cloisters Garage, off sloan avenue
Chelsea
GB - London SW3 3DL
Tel: [phone]

I had wheel shudder and they sorted out the balancing etc

[Finn997]

bermyandy said:

Try Kwik Fit:

Chelsea Cloisters Garage, off sloan avenue
Chelsea
GB - London SW3 3DL
Tel: [phone]

I had wheel shudder and they sorted out the balancing etc

Strange - I got my tyres changed at Kwik Fit and they mentioned that they don't do alignment checks for 997s - will give them a call anyway.

[nbetts]

Finn997 - Just had my alignment done at OPC for similar reasons that you mention. One of my rear wheels was out by 1/4 of a degree. Most of your normal garages won't be able to do the alignment on a 911. It is a tricky beast to do properley. Most of the good indies will gladly do it.

The cost at my OPC was around £220 - I am sure you can get it done for cheaper.

[bermyandy]

AH, im on a 996 which would explain it

[Finn997]

nbetts said:

Finn997 - Just had my alignment done at OPC for similar reasons that you mention. One of my rear wheels was out by 1/4 of a degree. Most of your normal garages won't be able to do the alignment on a 911. It is a tricky beast to do properley. Most of the good indies will gladly do it.

The cost at my OPC was around £220 - I am sure you can get it done for cheaper.

OPC Chiswick (my local) just quoted £250 plus VAT but can't do it until next Weds.

Any other suggestions? Any indies in London worth talking to?

[kgb1]

hi finn,
this really doesn't sound like alignement!

Toe in toe out does not normally cause a wobble or pulling to one side, it will normally just wear tyres on outer or inner edges.

The wobble and pulling could be caused by a badly fitted (or defective) tyre, or even a wheel not fitted correctly (ie something trapped between wheel and hub).

I would take it back to where you had the tyres fitted (slowly) and have it thoroughly checked (quickly).

Kev.

[Finn997]

kgb1 said:

hi finn,
this really doesn't sound like alignement!

Toe in toe out does not normally cause a wobble or pulling to one side, it will normally just wear tyres on outer or inner edges.

The wobble and pulling could be caused by a badly fitted (or defective) tyre, or even a wheel not fitted correctly (ie something trapped between wheel and hub).

I would take it back to where you had the tyres fitted (slowly) and have it thoroughly checked (quickly).

Kev.

Crap.. This is what I was afraid of. I had a puncture and so had no option than to get my local Kwik Fit to replace the tyres. Was a little uncomfortable about them working on the car (without sounding like a tosser I think my car was double the value of every other car there combined and they obviously had no clue about Porsches..). Did however watch their every move to make sure nothing stupid was done.

I've checked all the bolts etc and the tyres at least look ok. They're holding pressure perfectly so hopefully fitted ok. It's not a major issue but something that just doesn't quite feel right - you know that feeling when someone else has driven your car and it just doesn't feel 100% afterwards but you don't know why.

I've booked the car into my local OPC for next Tues and will ask them to thoroughly check everything (alignment, wheels, tyres, etc).

Edited by Finn997 on Wednesday 25th October 12:51

[Dr S]

kgb1 said:

hi finn,
this really doesn't sound like alignement!

Toe in toe out does not normally cause a wobble or pulling to one side, it will normally just wear tyres on outer or inner edges.

The wobble and pulling could be caused by a badly fitted (or defective) tyre, or even a wheel not fitted correctly (ie something trapped between wheel and hub).

I would take it back to where you had the tyres fitted (slowly) and have it thoroughly checked (quickly).

Kev.

I doubt that. What finn's describing happend to my old car a few times and it always was the alignment...

[kgb1]

Dr S said:

kgb1 said:

hi finn,
this really doesn't sound like alignement!

Toe in toe out does not normally cause a wobble or pulling to one side, it will normally just wear tyres on outer or inner edges.

The wobble and pulling could be caused by a badly fitted (or defective) tyre, or even a wheel not fitted correctly (ie something trapped between wheel and hub).

I would take it back to where you had the tyres fitted (slowly) and have it thoroughly checked (quickly).

Kev.

I doubt that. What finn's describing happend to my old car a few times and it always was the alignment...

Which alignement????
It is unusual for front wheel alignment to cause wheel wobble or drifting, it would have to be a long way out before you feel anything at all. This would be unusual after just a tyre change.
Inter axle alignment would make the car drift one way or another but I don't think that would cause wheel wobble.
Just my thoughts, I may be wrong....it has been known!

[Dr S]

kgb1 said:

Dr S said:

kgb1 said:

hi finn,
this really doesn't sound like alignement!

Toe in toe out does not normally cause a wobble or pulling to one side, it will normally just wear tyres on outer or inner edges.

The wobble and pulling could be caused by a badly fitted (or defective) tyre, or even a wheel not fitted correctly (ie something trapped between wheel and hub).

I would take it back to where you had the tyres fitted (slowly) and have it thoroughly checked (quickly).

Kev.

I doubt that. What finn's describing happend to my old car a few times and it always was the alignment...

Which alignement????
It is unusual for front wheel alignment to cause wheel wobble or drifting, it would have to be a long way out before you feel anything at all. This would be unusual after just a tyre change.
Inter axle alignment would make the car drift one way or another but I don't think that would cause wheel wobble.
Just my thoughts, I may be wrong....it has been known!

Given our diverging views on this topic, Ccomrade, I guess it's best for Finn to have his car properly checked, I guess...

Edited by Dr S on Wednesday 25th October 18:39

[aceparts_com]

Give the tyres a couple of hundred miles to bed in before you get anything aligned

[Finn997]

Right, now I'm totally confused...

Three opinions thus far:

1. Its definitely the alignment, £250 and its sorted
2. My wheels are about to fall off
3. Wait a couple of hundred miles before doing anything

After all this I'll take it to OPC next Tuesday and pay £250 for them to tell me its ok but did I know my brake pads could do with being replaced - that'll be £600 please..

Anymore ideas/thoughts?

[skidmark997]

Finn - I'm assuming your 997S is still under warranty? I was told, last week, by my OPC that during this 2 year period, Porsche (and only Porsche) should fit and align your tyres / wheels for you. I was given a card with a Porsche assist number on it and told to call this number in the event of a flat. I was further told that failure to have Porsche undertake this work could invalidate my warranty. i.e They'll point the finger at tyres-r-us if I show up at the OPC with a suspension problem.. Sorry if I'm being alarmist but I had this very conversation last week..