Wheel alignment

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Discussion

dom_911

Original Poster:

141 posts

269 months

Tuesday 24th September 2002
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Can anyone recommend a good place in the Midlands to get a 4 wheel alignment done? (Martin at Shirleys in Meriden is in America and I need it done before the 4th Oct) Ideally somewhere that someone has had a good experience with.

I haven't had this done since purchasing the car 6 months ago and was told by Martin when he serviced it that it is waaay out, borne out by the fact that the inside of the tyres are nearly illegal and the outside are barely worn...

richard36

13,739 posts

271 months

Tuesday 24th September 2002
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That reminds me I need mine doing, at the last tyre fit, and repair, they showed me the front- was like yours, Do you need rears looking at mostly, as fronts can be done at most smaller garages surely

dom_911

Original Poster:

141 posts

269 months

Tuesday 24th September 2002
quotequote all
From what the mechanic said, the tracking is all over the place and whilst I am getting the front ones done, it makes sense to get the rears done to make sure that I don't need to make a return trip. Might take a few hours extra at the time, but will save me a load of hassle if I find that they are wearing unevenly at the rear at some point in the future...

I could do with freeing up the nuts etc before they need cutting out and not just heat treating anyway. I keep hearing how geometry sensitive 911s are so I think it is worth paying to have it done properly with the correct toe in/out and the like by someone in the know.

sb930turbo

3,321 posts

268 months

Tuesday 24th September 2002
quotequote all
quote:
Can anyone recommend a good place in the Midlands to get a 4 wheel alignment done? (Martin at Shirleys in Meriden is in America and I need it done before the 4th Oct) Ideally somewhere that someone has had a good experience with.

I haven't had this done since purchasing the car 6 months ago and was told by Martin when he serviced it that it is waaay out, borne out by the fact that the inside of the tyres are nearly illegal and the outside are barely worn...


Could always use your local OPC?

dom_911

Original Poster:

141 posts

269 months

Wednesday 25th September 2002
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Yes, I suppose so. The nearest one is in Solihull which is about 25 mins away, I'll call them later to check on prices. I don't fancy paying £60/hour if everything is going to be seized and it's going to be a two day job... Needs must though.

Seeing as my tyres are nicely buggered now - at the front anyway - does anyone have a cheap source for good tyres? I have cup alloys and need 255/35/17 and 215/40/17 (from memory).

dom_911

Original Poster:

141 posts

269 months

Wednesday 25th September 2002
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Hmmm. Porsche want £200+VAT, so I may try and persevere with a specialist.

paulc

242 posts

289 months

Wednesday 25th September 2002
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The profiles look a bit low for 17" Carrera cup wheels.

255/40/17 and 205/50/17 or 225/45/17 are the normal sizes.

I use "Tyres Northampton" always cheap, plus the service is excellent. i.e They have never EVER marked any of my alloys when changing tyres.

I've also heard good things about "Silverline Tyres" in Warwick, but have never used the.

dom_911

Original Poster:

141 posts

269 months

Wednesday 25th September 2002
quotequote all
Thanks Paul. I have used Silverline wheels in the past, and they were good at the time. A friend quoted me some on-line prices which were exceptionally good, and on nice tyres such as SO-2s, which is why I am looking around.

Maybe the tyre market has got a bit more competitive in the last year... I'll get some quotes - and check the sizes.

rich 36

13,739 posts

271 months

Wednesday 25th September 2002
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Tyres N'pton. have been hearing about them recently, all good, do not go to nearby Formula (something) by sainsburys. numptys took offence over not being allowed to use airline tool on my magnesium wheel nuts, and then set about fitting front wheels on back axle !! not to mention caught them trying to jack it on rthe oil lines F#ck sake

hoganscrogan

725 posts

289 months

Thursday 26th September 2002
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Does the 4 wheel alighnment make much difference? Also can you adjust a standard 996 C2 circa 1999 much? I'm looking at getting my car tweaked at a place in Leeds

dom_911

Original Poster:

141 posts

269 months

Thursday 26th September 2002
quotequote all
Apparantly 911s are v.sensitive to alignment, so it must be a good thing to get it done/checked, even on a relatively new one like yours? I have booked mine into AutoFarm in Bicester for Monday, so I can let you know if it makes the big difference that I am expecting.

I have managed to find Goodyear Eagle F1 GSD-3 in 255/40/R17 ZR for £123. They seem to be rated highly, but does anyone have any personal experience with these tyres?

hoganscrogan

725 posts

289 months

Thursday 26th September 2002
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Cheers dom, am getting married in a couple of weeks so will not be able to get it seen to until afterwards. Would be great to hear of your experiences.

Richard92c2

464 posts

268 months

Thursday 26th September 2002
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I know that most OPC's send your car to a third party specialist anyway, best to listen around for tried and tested advise from fellow Porsche drives. I have used Cambridge Performance Tyres and found them to be great and very acurate in their setup (laser 4 wheel), Might be a little out of the way but well worth it!

Hope you find someone good though, It does make a helluva difference if the geometry is done right!

dom_911

Original Poster:

141 posts

269 months

Thursday 26th September 2002
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AutoFarm have a good reputation anyway, so I am happy that they will do the job right. Cambridge is just that bit too far to deliver the car and then pick it up again a day or so later.

If you need someone to babysit your 996 whilst you are on your honeymoon hoganscrogan, I'd be more than happy to oblige?? If I forget to post and you are thinking about getting it done, remind me - brain like a sieve sometimes .

hoganscrogan

725 posts

289 months

Thursday 26th September 2002
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Will consider your offer dom!

We are actually looking at doing the Porsche camp 4 in finland (it just seems sooo much money tho' - £3k each!!!)

dom_911

Original Poster:

141 posts

269 months

Thursday 26th September 2002
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What is the Porsche camp 4? At that price it had better be entertaining.

hoganscrogan

725 posts

289 months

Thursday 26th September 2002
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5 days driving around artic test tracks in finland in a variety of 911 and boxsters supplied by porsche, includes night sk-dooing and swimming in the sea after the icebreaker you were a passenger on has cleared a whole in the ice (dry suits are included. Look like alot of fun!!

dom_911

Original Poster:

141 posts

269 months

Thursday 26th September 2002
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Sounds frickin cold! Does sound like fun though. It's always nice to thrash someone elses car.

steve-p

1,448 posts

287 months

Thursday 26th September 2002
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quote:
It's always nice to thrash someone elses car.


True. Even the humblest of hire cars are surprisingly fast in reverse

Don

28,377 posts

289 months

Thursday 26th September 2002
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quote:

We are actually looking at doing the Porsche camp 4 in finland (it just seems sooo much money tho' - £3k each!!!)


That little? I thought it was nearer 5! I was thinking about doing Camp 4 but have always been put off by the expense.

You can have a whole lot of fun for 6K in a lot of other ways. If you go I'd appreciate your view of it...