OUCH!!!, An expensive joy ride Options

[Toast]

Dont feel bad. I had to take my truck to an alignment shop this AM because of a joy ride I took this weekend. Actualy I was going skiing (by myself since ACox flaked on me! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/flipa.gif) ) .
Slid on some black ice in the mountains and had a head-on with the mountain! And then my truck tipped over on the passenger side. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif)

Ok, im changing my signature back to the classic one....

[SLITS]

QUOTE (Spoke @ Jan 31 2005, 01:07 PM)

Excuse me for the simple question, but why is a 914 so hard to align? The front end (once the ride height is adjusted), seems straight forward with toe, caster, and camber adjustments. I've done the alignment as specified on Pelican Parts which isn't hard. The rear end seems a bit unusual with its toe and camber adjustments. But neither seems to be unique. I've taken my cars to National Tire and Battery (NTB) which I think Sears owns now for alignments. One thing that I like about them is that they have plans for 6 month, 12 month, and 36 month alignments. Here in PA, a great alignment can be undone with one hit of a major pothole. I did this in Jersey last year in my A6, and bent 2 rims while I was at it. NTB will check and re-align within the plan time period for free. This also works out good if you change a part like a tie rod end and want to re-align. So I'm thinking of taking my 914 to NTB. Have been talking to them about specs and things. They haven't come up with a reason it wouldn't work. What am I missing about the difficulty in aligning 914s? Is it because the car is so low? Thanks, Spoke

The main difficulty is having the rear shims and having someone who actuallyCARESthat the settings are correct (and finding someone that the book still lists the stock settings).

Also, those that do Porsches know what kind of nut drivers they are handling and can set the suspension to accomodate for that.

My $1.00 worth

[Aaron Cox]

QUOTE (Toast @ Jan 31 2005, 01:09 PM)

Actualy I was going skiing (by myself since ACox flaked on me! (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/flipa.gif) )

toasty one.... im sorry. i forgot... i was at scotts.... watching the chalom. im also poor... pick a date, pick a place...letz go (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smile.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beer3.gif)

[Kerrys914]

I couldn't find a shop in Richmond VA to do one on my 914 with PHONE DIAL'S. They need a lip to attach the gauges to and the dials don't have that (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/headbang.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/headbang.gif)

I ended up doing the home brew..So far so good.

Would a drop or two of oil between two 12"x12" tiles help in making adjustments? This would allow the tiles to move some.

Cheers (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/beer.gif)