Wheel alignment

[n.turner]

I've noticed a more prominent vibration through the steering wheel at 75mph+. I have heard that some have had problems with this before. I wondered whether it is more likely to be the individual wheel balance (as the car doesn't seem to pull to one side on a straight) rather than the wheel alignment. I've checked the tyre pressures, which I thought may be a culprit, but they were fine.

Is the OPC the best place to go or are there preferable alternatives. The other issue is that I may be needing some new tyres in the next few months, so will I need to get the alignment redone with these?

Any thoughts?

Nick

 

[Helen Goff]

Has to be a tyre place that has a lazer to do the aignment. not your local kwik fit.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Where are you based Nick?

People can probably recommend a good place to have it done.
Cost for a proper alignment will be in the region of £150, but it is well worth it!

 

[n.turner]

Based in Bournemouth. Have used Micheldever tyres in the past, who seem to have a pretty good set up / competitive prices. Is there any advantage in using the OPC?

 

[Mark_Bennett]

More normally people use independants for suspension geometry rather than OPC (cost per hour - you are talking about 3 to do it properly).

Micheldever do suspension, but I don't know how good they are/how long they take (therefore how accurate they are).

Having said that Chapelgate should be able to do it properly.
I have used GT1 in Chertsey (although not yet on the Boxster). They do a good job.

Be aware that getting it within tolerance (as an OPC might make do with) and getting it right, are two different things!

Also consider what use you are putting the car to - if doing trackdays, or if you are an "enthusiastic" driver then consider getting the car set to Track Settings.

...and if I could remember what they were I would post them here... (anyone?)

 

[Guest]

Alignment does'nt normally cause vibration. Its usually a wheel or wheels being out of balance. Badly worn tyres seem especially prone to becoming out of balance.

 

[Guest]

I recently noticed my Boxster S was eating its front n/s tyre, my local OPC tracked the front wheels, but found nothing wrong, so I was sent to BMTR Hi Q (outlets everywhere) to have all four wheels lazer tracked.

The outcome was that the rear was way out thus causing excessive wear to the front n/s tyre. The cost was £47 with VAT for the 2.5 hours it took. If you take your car to an OPC they will hit you for £150 and still send your car to one of these centres.

regards Andy Jones (Peep)


So many roads......So little time!

 

[NicD]

Track day suspension settings for Boxster/S

Note how much variance is allowed for standard factory settings

abbreviation " = minutes, ' = seconds of angle

Front

Standard tolerances
Toe +5' +/- 5'
Camber -10' +/- 30'

Track day settings (sport)
Toe 0" 00'
Camber Maximum negative achievable


Rear
Standard tolerances
Toe +5' +/- 5'
Camber -1" 20' +/- 30'

Track day settings (sport)
Toe ""0" 05'
Camber Maximum negative achievable (max ""2")

Note, if you have sports (lowered) suspension, then you can achieve greater negative camber, so more chance for uneven tyre wear.

I had mine aligned to the Track day settings by my local OPC at around 2000 miles.

Track day tyre pressures
On a Boxster, you should not need much pressure differential front to rear, certainly nothing like the factory recommendations. You are looking for as even temperature as possible across the tread and no tread rollover. Look for this marking on the side of the tyres after each run. If you have tread rollover, then raise the pressures.

I suggest starting with 32-PSI front, 34-PSI rear when cold, and checking and altering after each run to reach 38/40 when hot. The outside tyres will heat up more during track driving as they take much more of the load. You can even out the pressures across the axel, but remember to correct pressures before driving home.

Note the ideal pressure varies from one tyre brand/model to another.

Nic Doczi

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Thanks Nic[]

 

[peterfrost]

Did you resolve your wheel wobble.
My problem is-
My O3 S has it at 75mph -normal sort of 10mm kick on steering.
Worse on low fuel,better full and front luggage.
OPC re-balanced 17" continentals but its still there.
OPC re-balanced 18" dunlops || ||
I've checked and the offside damper clicks as you turn steering so it may be that.
Most times I've been to Michedever they have done damage.
Reading OPC very good.

 

[n.turner]

Had wheels rebalanced by OPC which I think improved things a bit, but not perfect. Since then had misfortune of being involved in accident, so hope that all will be well when it is returned (probably when the weather turns bad again!).

Nick

 

[NicD]

I bet it drives rather better now - its an overlooked performance upgrade, get the suspension aligned to track settings

 

[THX911]

ORIGINAL: NicD

I bet it drives rather better now

...and I should get more mileage out of the wheels.

 

[Helen Goff]

i get my wheel alighnment done when ever i feel it needs it..eg when i feel vibration through the steering wheel at speed or if i've been doing a lot of messing about on track. also find after i've visited my Dad down in the kent/Sussex (theres so many pot holes in their roads) i get the wheels checked.

tends to average out at twice a year.

 

[channella]

I'm told the OPC wheel alignment is expensive (by my OPC and that may be relative to the cost of wear and tear) at about £200 a time because it requires the full laser jig thingy... Is this what you are having done each time?

Andrew

 

[THX911]

ORIGINAL: boxster27

I'm told the OPC wheel alignment is expensive (by my OPC and that may be relative to the cost of wear and tear) at about £200 a time because it requires the full laser jig thingy... Is this what you are having done each time?

Andrew

Hi Andrew,
Mine was a full laser alignment. Got it done at a place in Edgware, NW London (Kingsway Tyres). The guy who does it is a friend of my brother but he only work there so cannot give hugh discounts but he charged me very little compared to the work he did (can't promise that for everyone though). Also, OPC Staples Corner bring their cars there and probably charge £200 to the owners. He said the maximum a Porsche would come to i.e. you needing all the wheels aligned would be at most £100 +VAT. On average it has been £70 + VAT... plus they do a re-check free i.e. with a month or two if the car doesn't feel right...

Let me know if any of you are in the area and are interested...

 

[Peter_Bull]

Not long had mine done at an approved bodyshop (HB Panelcraft in Preston) £100 +vat. Why not ask you local one.

 

[JCB..]

ORIGINAL: boxsterflyboy

My Porsche dealer tell me I need to have my wheels aligned and want to charge me £245 for this.

Can anybody recommend an alternative. I'm in Essex.

Any decent tyre shop that can track 4 wheels.

 

[ColonelMoon]

I can recommend Pro Tyres where I have had a couple of cars wheels aligned, the 4 wheel alignment cost me £69 and what I liked about it was they had a screen in their waiting room which allowed you to see which wheels were out of alignment and watch that change as they made their adjustments.

 

[Geoff_Fields]

This wheel allignment gimic seems to be the latest OPC money making idea. After my car was serviced, I was informed that my wheel allignment needed doing. So I asked, how far out is it? Guess what, they didn't know! My tyres are wearing evenly with no apparent scrubbing. I decided to decline their offer.