Feedback on how the car should feel

[Perfectlap]

yes you are right I mispoke, I meant to say that the alignment numbers should not change because you are changing tires.
But yes one set of tires will affect the handling vs. another set entirely. Going from Conti Touring tires to streetable R-compounds was a great example.

and yes the manufacturers aren't stupid. They know every batch of tires of the same exact tire aren't always the same. Even motorsports teams fail to catch a bad batch until the driver is out on the track so I wouldn't doubt that a discount broker like Tire Rack would even bother checking. But if you have the time they will get it right eventually. To some their time is less valuable then the money they may save which can be a whole lot with $250 tires (EACH!) now the norm on high end sports cars.
BTW, my preferred bicycle tires are now $50 each. Our dependence on oill...

[MNBoxster]

@ Perfectlap,

I did not mean to infer that one shouldn't use these Tire Discounters. I have, and I still do. It's just that one must watch out for the out-of-spec Tires that seem to come from them with greater frequency.

And this is where the Dynamic Balancing and the Hunter GPS9700 Machine come in - they allow you to identify these defficiencies before you drive away on the Tires. With the Graphic Printout available, you can Prove your claim with the Discounter.

If you have to bear the shipping costs in exchanging the Tires (especially multiple times as I did), you'll quickly use up any savings you hoped to realize.

Tire Rack didn't want to eat the Freight Charges, but I had irrefutable proof that they sold me a faulty product - they couldn't claim it was a fault of the Car's alignment or suspension, which was their initial reply. I wonder if they didn't just re-inventory the Tires I returned and sold them to some other unsuspecting buyer?...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[rteichman]

The question remains, WHERE do I find a place that has this Hunter equipment? Is there a web site or service centers that us it? Does anyone know of any in the Eastern PA area (Lehigh Valley)?

Rob

[98Boxster98]

Originally Posted by rteichman

The question remains, WHERE do I find a place that has this Hunter equipment? Is there a web site or service centers that us it? Does anyone know of any in the Eastern PA area (Lehigh Valley)?

Rob

At the website, www.gsp9700.com, there is a gsp9700 locator

[Perfectlap]

I noticed a local high school's auto shop has a Hunter. I should stop by with my BoxsterS maybe I can get a deal when I mount my new set of RA-1's

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

I noticed a local high school's auto shop has a Hunter. I should stop by with my BoxsterS maybe I can get a deal when I mount my new set of RA-1's

Yeah, if you want your new wheels scratched and gouged-up!

[98Boxster98]

Originally Posted by Perfectlap

I noticed a local high school's auto shop has a Hunter. I should stop by with my BoxsterS maybe I can get a deal when I mount my new set of RA-1's

Are you the same Perfectlap that won't use valet parking and would rather park his car several blocks away? Would you really be comfortable with teenagers learning on your immaculately polished Boxster?

[Perfectlap]

oh yeahh I have teenagers work on my car all the time.
No I'll be going to a local Porsche CLub sponsor to have the tires mounted. I have a set of harness belts I'll want them to install as well. When it comes to my life at 100mph I leave it to the pros.

[socratic]

Originally Posted by rteichman

The question remains, WHERE do I find a place that has this Hunter equipment? Is there a web site or service centers that us it? Does anyone know of any in the Eastern PA area (Lehigh Valley)?

Rob

If you live in a big enough city, chances aer you'll find one. I ended calling tire stores and simply asking if they had one and if they didn't, asking them who did.

In my city I found a GM dealership (gee, GM of all places) had one. I guess they use it on the Corvettes. And they were cheap too!

My 01 Boxster had a vibration that was cured by a combination of:

1) Hunter 9700 road-force balance
2) whieel alignment with a modern laser and mirror based contraption
3) ensuring the tires are warm

Note #3. In the winter after it's been sitting for a few days (I don't drive my Box when it rains), it takes a while for the tires to "unflatspot" themselves.

[rteichman]

OK thanks to the info here I found a shop (local tire store) that has the hunter balancing and wheel alignment system. I also found a Porsche specialist shop that does not have this equipment but has many years of experience and is highly rated.

So do I choose equipment over technician? There is also a major price difference.

Rob

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by rteichman

OK thanks to the info here I found a shop (local tire store) that has the hunter balancing and wheel alignment system. I also found a Porsche specialist shop that does not have this equipment but has many years of experience and is highly rated.

So do I choose equipment over technician? There is also a major price difference.

Rob

Hi,

Go with the equipment! Experience counts for a lot, but the Mechanic can only speculate what's going on while the Machine will actually show you. Also, the Machine can make the necessary adjustment with a much higher degree of accuracy.

But, realize there may be a variety of things contributing all at once to the issue. It could be Wheel Bearings, Worn Bushings, Alignment, Tire Pressure, a slightly bent suspension member (just hitting a PotHole or Curb can cause this)even a sticky Brake Caliper. But, the highest likelyhood is that it's the Tires/Wheels, so this is the best place to start. Hopefully, that cures it. If not, at least you've eliminated it from the list of possibilities...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99