Alignment Systems for 914? Options

[bkrantz]

Short version: what shop alignment systems work for 914s?

Longer version: My 1973 2.0 is almost stock, with standard fenders and 4 bolt Fuchs. The suspension is also near stock, with Bilsteins all around, stock (original) torsion bars up front, and 100 lb springs in the rear. I have 195/65-15 tires. Ride height is slightly lowered.

When I finished rebuilding the car I did a home alignment and then headed to the only local shop that has 914 experience (and positive recommendations). But after they had my car on their alignment rack for about 20 minutes, the tech came to tell me that he could not complete the job, because the rigs that mounts on the front wheels hit the fenders as he pivoted the wheels for getting caster. He spent a bit more time and measured F and R camber and toe, but then sent me home.

After that I did my own alignment as precisely as I could, with double and triple measurement. Al of this was in July and August of 2022, and I have been driving the car since then. It tracks well, and turns in easily--perhaps too easily. It seems very sensitive to small steering inputs at speed.

So I would like to see about getting a shop to take a look, but knowing what systems, new or old, will likely work will help.

[Geezer914]

I do my own using the string method and a camber gauge.

[930cabman]

Short version: what shop alignment systems work for 914s?

Longer version: My 1973 2.0 is almost stock, with standard fenders and 4 bolt Fuchs. The suspension is also near stock, with Bilsteins all around, stock (original) torsion bars up front, and 100 lb springs in the rear. I have 195/65-15 tires. Ride height is slightly lowered.

When I finished rebuilding the car I did a home alignment and then headed to the only local shop that has 914 experience (and positive recommendations). But after they had my car on their alignment rack for about 20 minutes, the tech came to tell me that he could not complete the job, because the rigs that mounts on the front wheels hit the fenders as he pivoted the wheels for getting caster. He spent a bit more time and measured F and R camber and toe, but then sent me home.

After that I did my own alignment as precisely as I could, with double and triple measurement. Al of this was in July and August of 2022, and I have been driving the car since then. It tracks well, and turns in easily--perhaps too easily. It seems very sensitive to small steering inputs at speed.

So I would like to see about getting a shop to take a look, but knowing what systems, new or old, will likely work will help.

sounds as though it's not broke

so far as I know these are sensitive at higher speeds to steering movements, nature of the beast.

I have used somewhat primitive methods for alignment with some success. spirit level, strings, concrete blocks, you know caveman tools

[Superhawk996]

There is an enormous variation in how heads mount to the wheel / rim.

Since you don’t mention what they used, I’m guessing it was the old style heads with hooks and a rack type screw clamp that grabs the wheel rim lip. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) Most shops have an assortment of head adapters & extensions that should allow them to extend heads outboard if they are hitting the body. Skill of the shop always supersedes how fancy their equipment may look.

Hunter Hawkeye heads that grab the tire should be able to be mounted by a tech that knows what he’s doing.

[ClayPerrine]

I have a caster/camber gauge.

And I have this for setting toe:

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/external-content.duckduckgo.com-1143-1755373838.1.jpg)

Vintage 1960s Dunlop optical alignment gauge. Works fine with our cars.

But I need to purchase a steering lock to make sure the wheel is straight when setting the toe. Crooked steering wheels seem to really bother Betty. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving-girl.gif)

[SirAndy]

So I would like to see about getting a shop to take a look, but knowing what systems, new or old, will likely work will help.

Can't help you with the hardware but if you have a race shop that works with older cars in your area, they usually either have their own equipment or work with someone that does.

I wouldn't trust any modern alignment or tire shop to know how to deal with a 914.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

[Artfrombama]

Set mine with strings, jack stands and a magnetic caster camber gauge

[Superhawk996]

Vintage 1960s Dunlop optical alignment gauge. Works fine with our cars.

Never sell that !

[ClayPerrine]

Vintage 1960s Dunlop optical alignment gauge. Works fine with our cars.

Never sell that !

I used it to set the toe on our 2006 GMC Envoy after replacing the steering rack. But the steering wheel was off center and I needed two new front tires, so I had Discount Tire replace the front tires and reset the toe so the steering wheel was straight.

[bkrantz]

There is an enormous variation in how heads mount to the wheel / rim.

Since you don’t mention what they used, I’m guessing it was the old style heads with hooks and a rack type screw clamp that grabs the wheel rim lip. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) Most shops have an assortment of head adapters & extensions that should allow them to extend heads outboard if they are hitting the body. Skill of the shop always supersedes how fancy their equipment may look.

Hunter Hawkeye heads that grab the tire should be able to be mounted by a tech that knows what he’s doing.

I wish I knew which brand and model the shop used--I need to call them and ask.

[bkrantz]

So I would like to see about getting a shop to take a look, but knowing what systems, new or old, will likely work will help.

Can't help you with the hardware but if you have a race shop that works with older cars in your area, they usually either have their own equipment or work with someone that does.

I wouldn't trust any modern alignment or tire shop to know how to deal with a 914.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/popcorn[1].gif)

If only. My town of 30,000 people has a healthy number of interesting cars, but few decent shops, especially for anything unusual. I need to convince myself to take a road trip to find a good shop. Closest target area is Denver (6 hours).

[Superhawk996]

I need to convince myself to take a road trip to find a good shop. Closest target area is Denver (6 hours).

Why bother?

6 hours away to align is insanity.

Sounds like your local shop just didn’t set caster. Your only complaint seems to be maybe a bit of high speed sensitivity on turn in which could be as simple as just tweaking the front for a little bit more toe-in. Could also be related to a lack of caster so a bit hard to say without seeing the numbers they gave you. I’m assuming they did a 4 wheel alignment?

Why not just work with a local shop to ensure they have some adapters to bump their alignment heads outboard? Not having seen their setup do you even know which way the heads needed to go (inboard or outboard) to avoid hitting?

Honestly, I’m not sure what they were doing but there aren’t widespread complaints of shops not being able to properly align the front suspension. Me thinks you got a dud for a tech.

Here’s a set of head extensions on Evilbay - they should have a set. And even if they don’t you could easily purchase a set and provide them when needed. Of course this assumes they are using standard Hunter heads but you get the point. We’re not talking about thousands of dollars. If the heads were too far outboard they can simply take any existing extensions they have had had off to go tighter to the rim.



The trick here is to find a local shop willing to work with you on the understanding that this may take a little longer than a modern car wham-bam-thankya-ma’am and that you’re willing to compensate them for the “extra” time required vs some cheapo’ flat rate they want to bang out in 30 - 45 minutes.

[Superhawk996]

I’m going to put this here - just in case you want to revisit the home alignment.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILPv_skgtzE?si=DXa1X4vbwcdnK-Yx

[yeahmag]

I'm just starting to mess with Gyraline and it's looking promising. I built my own strings rig years ago that lets me jack up the car and roll it around without having to reset the rig. It's only used for toe though.

[Superhawk996]

I'm just starting to mess with Gyraline and it's looking promising.

@yeahmag

Please post a review once you have some time with it. Looks interesting. Curious about it.

Accelerometer built into our phones is a pretty amazing thing that has more and more people figuring out cool automotive applications for.

[NARP74]

This alignment system is supposed to be amazing. Not to buy, very expensive, but shops are using them. They will give you a shop in your area that has purchased one if you ask.
https://csmperformance.com/
Not sure they have made one for a 4 lug yet, been a while since I checked.

[Jamie]

I'm just starting to mess with Gyraline and it's looking promising. I built my own strings rig years ago that lets me jack up the car and roll it around without having to reset the rig. It's only used for toe though.

Nice fellow Delphi Green teener! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) Is that paint original?

[Jamie]

I'm just starting to mess with Gyraline and it's looking promising. I built my own strings rig years ago that lets me jack up the car and roll it around without having to reset the rig. It's only used for toe though.

Nice fellow Delphi Green teener! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif) Is that paint original?

OK, where did this duplicate post come from, GO AWAY!

[Chad911sc]

I bought these two products from Amazon for a couple hundred bucks, and they worked excellent for castor/camber. Just have to have very level surface. Also when doing the castor I had to place two sheets of parchment paper under the front wheels to slide on since I didn’t buy the rotating wheel plates. It is actually very easy and quick to do this process. The detailed instructions come with the gauge.

[yeahmag]

For camber I just use a plumb bob and measure at the top and bottom of the rim. I'm in the "as much as I can get as long as it's even" camp as it's an autocross car.

@Jaime , it is the original color, but not the original paint.