924Board.org

[Mike924]

My car has a persistent pull to the left. I've checked the steering alignment (with one of those drive-over pointer things) and it seems OK. The PO had it adjusted at a garage a couple of years ago. So I'm fairly satisfied the problem isn't with the steering alignment.

But how about the camber settings? There's an eccentric bolt at the bottom of the suspension strut. What it that somehow got changed, say while changing the dampers?

Is there a way for a home mechanic to check and reset the camber setting if it's wrong? The Haynes manual says take it to a professional, but I wouldn't trust the cowboys here on the Island to check my tyre pressures, far less the wheel cambers, plus when they see the badge on the bonnet (hood) the price will go up 50%!

How similar is it to the Golf set up? I might be convinced to take it to the local VW dealership.
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1985 Porsche 924 'Lux', Kalahari Beige (my ex)
1993 Porsche 968 Coupe, Midnight Blue, 6 spd

'There is no substitute for a little grease under your fingernails.' - Chrenan, 924board.org

[Chrenan]

The front alignment on a 924 is very simple for any shop to do, it is a standard MacPherson strut setup used on many models (not just Porsche). The rear toe requires a special tool.
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

[wuilman]

[Mike924]

I just want to check we're talking about the same thing here.

I'm not too worried about the tracking alignment - almost anyone can do that. I'm more concered about the camber settings as adjusted by the eccentric bolt on the suspension strut.
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1985 Porsche 924 'Lux', Kalahari Beige (my ex)
1993 Porsche 968 Coupe, Midnight Blue, 6 spd

'There is no substitute for a little grease under your fingernails.' - Chrenan, 924board.org

[Chrenan]

Yes, that is part of a typical front alignment that any "hole in the wall" shop can do.

I had my alignment done by an independent, he had no problems, I brought the special tool for him to adjust the rear and he had no trouble. He actually let me stand and watch him do the 4 wheel alignment, there is really nothing too mysterious about it. The computer has the specs for basically every car made (including the 924) and the operator makes the adjustments on all 4 wheels until all numbers come up green on screen.
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

[Smoothie]

Caster, camber and toe are all included in an alignment.
Front camber should be -20'±15' with a max right-left wheel difference of 10'.
That's checked with the wheels aimed straight ahead, full fuel tank, spare tire and tool kit in place. You can check it yourself if you have either the measurement tool for it or a framing square and calculator with inverse tan function, and a level surface -
http://www.924board.org/viewtopic.php?t=14672

-But a pulling problem can also be caused by incorrect caster - or uneven inflation - or tire wear. For instance, if both sides don't have the same amount of caster, one side will have a stronger tendency to straighten out, then because of toe-in, the car will tend to pull to that side. (If the right side has more caster, it'll go straight and the left wheel will point too much toward the right because of the toe-in.) Caster's measured with the same tool as camber, but you take extra measurements with the wheels turned, then straight, do a calculation, etc.
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"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."


'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

[Mike924]

It seems you guys are used to a better level of service than us over here.

If you take a car in to a garage have the alignment doone, all they do is check or adjust the toe settings and take £25 from you ($45US). If you mention camber or caster to them, that's 'specialist' work.

Is the caster adjustable on the 924, Smoothie?
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1985 Porsche 924 'Lux', Kalahari Beige (my ex)
1993 Porsche 968 Coupe, Midnight Blue, 6 spd

'There is no substitute for a little grease under your fingernails.' - Chrenan, 924board.org

[Chrenan]

Wow, that is crazy. The 4 wheel alignment I got done a few months ago was around $60 Canadian. And that covered everything.

From our own tech section:

For those not familiar with the caster adjustment, it is achieved by loosening the two bolts that hold the rear of the a-arm to the frame rail and sliding the mount either in or out. Slid out for more caster, inwards for less caster. Then re-check your camber and toe.

http://www.924.org/techsection/10suspension.htm
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

[Joes924Racer]

yea Mike I guess so theyve got machines
llike with computer aide so all the guy does
is hook up some leads and looks at
his monitor then make the corrections.
He also checks for worn ball joints and
any bent parts like tie rods. Any good tire
shop here has it like that.
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1979 porsche 924 Na
1980 porsche Turbo 931GT Replica
Have u ever driven a turbo.