Rear alignment questions Options

[mike_the_man]

Hi all,

I'm going to try and get a wheel alignment again this weekend. This time I'm planning on standing there and watching everything they do, just to make sure they do everything I ask. I have my doubts that they know how to align a 914, especially the rear. The front adjustments seem pretty straight forward to me. The rear, on the other hand, is a little less clear. There are 3 bolts to loosen, I believe. Does anybody have a decent pic of the bolts that are used in the adjustment? Also, loosening the bolts allows adjustment of the rear toe, but shims are needed to adjust the camber, is that correct? Anybody that can explain this to me will get a beer, although they have to come up to Regina, Saskatchewan to collect. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Thanks,

[ClayPerrine]

the three bolts on the outboard mounting bracket for the rear control arm have to be loosened to adjust the toe. They also have to be loosened to add shims to correct the rear wheel camber.

To adust the toe:

Loosen the bolts and grab the wheel and pull or push as needed.

[seanery]

Mike, do you have the correct shims?

If not, check with Engman, he has some nice reproductions in various sizes. Probably best to take your own with you.

[mike_the_man]

Hmm, I don't have any shims. I was hoping that the shop would have some, but that's probably expecting way too much. I was hoping to get the alignment done this weekend, but thats not likely enough time to get the shims. I'll send Engman a PM and see what can be done.

[Engman]

Clay nailed the procedure - of course a nice alignment machine helps. I have these in stock - sent you a PM.


M

[KenH]

Make sure the Rear Toe-in is as close as possible for each wheel, if one is different than the other the rear of the car will not track. This makes the car pull L or R even if the Front is aligned correctly.

Spec is 0 to +15 minutes - I like to shoot for +7.

[mskala]

Especially if I was going to take it to somebody not
used to 914's, I would really worry about the adjustment
bolts being broken off. People say they break, even
though I was lucky on my car.

Reach in there on the top of the plate with a small
screwdriver, pry off the 3 plastic caps, and pour in
some penetrating oil a few days before going in for
the alignment. It can't hurt!

[RustyWa]

So don't you have to visit an alignment shop FIRST so that you'll know how much shimming you'll be needing? If you are bringing your own shims...

Or does someone know an alternate way of figuring this out.

I wonder how many cars are running around with standard shims and not the 914 shims....?

[Otmar]

I aligned mine myself, but the price of shims at the dealer was absurd.
I took a good look at the mount and decided that regular bulk washers would be just as good. (not SAE, I used the wide ones that sell by the pound)
Less than $3 of washers from the hardware store, and a little time with the digital calipers sorting them worked well for me. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clap56.gif)

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/burnout.gif)

[Phoenix-MN]

The factory manual states that each mm in shim thickness changes the camber by 10'. i.e. 6mm of shims would give you 1 degree of change (60' = 1 degree) This might help in figuring out what shims you need.

Paul