Are alignments that specialized on our 986's? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Dragonwind · 10-09-2008, 12:20 PM

I left mine today at my usual shop to get it done but they didn't have time and I have to pick it up undone. I like my shop but I hate having to make all sorts or crazy arrangements to get rides back and forth, especially for something like this.

I tried one place where I live but they didn't want to touch it. I'd rather look around to see if a shop near where I work can take care of it in the same day I leave it, so am I limited to 'specialized' shops for this kind of work?
Chris

mikefocke · 10-09-2008, 01:21 PM

You can get a Boxster aligned for the track or for max mileage on your rears via even tire wear. Both within Porsche specs. So do you want someone doing it and settling for within spec? Or do you go find someone who knows the car and the effect the possibilities have on handing and tire wear.

I had best luck with someone who set up P-cars for racing. Such a person knows the theory and the practice and how to apply it all to your specific suspension. That was 14 k miles ago and my rears are wearing perfectly evenly. I figure I have 4k miles to go before they have to be replaced.

Dragonwind · 10-09-2008, 01:36 PM

I understand your points. However, I don't track this car and I just have the stock suspension. My steering wheel is slowly becoming more turned to the left so I'm looking for a shop near work that can do it.

My regular shop is trying to get me a put coil-overs but it's a lot more $ than I have to throw at it. I was thinking of maybe going with the M030 instead.
Chris

jmatta · 10-09-2008, 01:50 PM

If you do not track the car, why would you upgrade the suspension? The base suspension has more capability than probably 95% of the drivers out there can handle. I agree with Mike's coment through; you need someone who understands the alignment's intricacies, rather than a shop that aligns common vehicles.

Lil bastard · 10-09-2008, 05:38 PM

An alignment is just an alignment. But, the Boxster is more sensitive to an improper alignment and so it's more the skill of the tech rather than the alignment itself. No need to upgrade the suspension for a street car, but the M030 (S) anti-roll bar does give the car a better feel... you can keep the stock springs and shocks though

HB986 · 10-09-2008, 08:19 PM

I never had problems until I had the CV boots replaced. I run 19's and the last shop---uh, misplaced---my rear spacers; life has not been good since. I am hopeful a new set of spacers and a correct alignment corrects the situation.