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      10-16-2016, 08:05 AM   #1
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Check your factory alignment

I put about 250 miles on the car and wanted to check the factory alignment to establish a base for future tracking, the car also felt a little odd in the seat/rear. I took it to GTE in Atlanta, they do a ton of track cars, and it showed that both rear toe numbers were off (toe out) and the RR camber as well. After resetting the car feels better. If you went to the dealer with these settings they would tell you that you needed a $200 alignment! GTE said this is not unusual in that most new Porsches come in with off factory numbers.


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      10-17-2016, 02:32 AM   #2
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Hey mate, can you please post all of your alignment settings.
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      10-17-2016, 07:28 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twt View Post
I put about 250 miles on the car and wanted to check the factory alignment to establish a base for future tracking, the car also felt a little odd in the seat/rear. I took it to GTE in Atlanta, they do a ton of track cars, and it showed that both rear toe numbers were off (toe out) and the RR camber as well. After resetting the car feels better. If you went to the dealer with these settings they would tell you that you needed a $200 alignment! GTE said this is not unusual in that most new Porsches come in with off factory numbers.


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Hey mate, can you please post all of your alignment settings.
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      10-17-2016, 09:00 AM   #4
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I think they would say that's within factory tolerance or something. Also at 250 miles you can probably get a free courtesy re-alignment.
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      10-17-2016, 10:44 AM   #5
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Thank you sir!
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      10-17-2016, 12:23 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CosmosMpower View Post
I think they would say that's within factory tolerance or something. Also at 250 miles you can probably get a free courtesy re-alignment.


Are you looking at some other numbers?

The right rear is clearly out of "factory tolerance" in both camber (no big deal) and toe. The factory-acceptable ranges are pre-loaded into the alignment machine, green means within factory spec, red means out.

You would never want to run toe out in the rear of this car (sans perhaps a drifter).



OP: Did you have a dead body in the trunk, by chance?
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      10-17-2016, 12:31 PM   #7
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Something about a several thousand mile trip including over a rough ocean with the car winched down hard to the deck might do that Since you are having it done anyway, should do it with you in the car to make it even more accurate
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      10-17-2016, 01:34 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twt View Post
I put about 250 miles on the car and wanted to check the factory alignment to establish a base for future tracking, the car also felt a little odd in the seat/rear. I took it to GTE in Atlanta, they do a ton of track cars, and it showed that both rear toe numbers were off (toe out) and the RR camber as well. After resetting the car feels better. If you went to the dealer with these settings they would tell you that you needed a $200 alignment! GTE said this is not unusual in that most new Porsches come in with off factory numbers.


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Originally Posted by CosmosMpower View Post
I think they would say that's within factory tolerance or something. Also at 250 miles you can probably get a free courtesy re-alignment.
Good to know.

When they swap the rear diff, something many 16-17MY m2's are in line for, the wheel alignment I believe is redone.

I will ask for specs and printout. My rear diff is scheduled to be swapped out soon.
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      10-17-2016, 01:46 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by reppucci View Post
When they swap the rear diff, something many 16-17MY m2's are in line for, the wheel alignment I believe is redone.
I'll admit I haven't been under one, but are you sure?

They should be able to drop the diff right out without removing the subframe (or any of the control arms attached thereto).
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      10-17-2016, 03:28 PM   #10
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Twt last thing mate, what was the after value for rear?
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      10-17-2016, 05:20 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yellowflash21 View Post
Twt last thing mate, what was the after value for rear?
Did not take a pic....but all green, I believe they went zero toe in the rear.
By the way, we did this with me in the car and without, no toe change.
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      10-17-2016, 05:26 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Spinnetti View Post
Something about a several thousand mile trip including over a rough ocean with the car winched down hard to the deck might do that Since you are having it done anyway, should do it with you in the car to make it even more accurate
We did it both ways....toe was the still whack. Surprisingly, my extra 190lbs barely moved the needle....I think it was 1/10 on right camber only...very stiff suspension.
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      10-17-2016, 05:28 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PrematureApex View Post


Are you looking at some other numbers?

The right rear is clearly out of "factory tolerance" in both camber (no big deal) and toe. The factory-acceptable ranges are pre-loaded into the alignment machine, green means within factory spec, red means out.

You would never want to run toe out in the rear of this car (sans perhaps a drifter).



OP: Did you have a dead body in the trunk, by chance?
I did....but the dead body only changes camber
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      10-17-2016, 06:39 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twt
I put about 250 miles on the car and wanted to check the factory alignment to establish a base for future tracking, the car also felt a little odd in the seat/rear. I took it to GTE in Atlanta, they do a ton of track cars, and it showed that both rear toe numbers were off (toe out) and the RR camber as well. After resetting the car feels better. If you went to the dealer with these settings they would tell you that you needed a $200 alignment! GTE said this is not unusual in that most new Porsches come in with off factory numbers.


Attachment 1509921
How long have you had it for? For the future, BMW will redo your alignment if it's within 3 months. Not sure about mileage though.
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      10-17-2016, 08:04 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PrematureApex View Post
I'll admit I haven't been under one, but are you sure?

They should be able to drop the diff right out without removing the subframe (or any of the control arms attached thereto).
IIRC in one of the many posts, I can't seem to locate it, I saw the BMW tech report ..... when the diff is swapped out, in addition to the new bolts, etc... the BMW procedure calls for an alignment check and road test to make sure everything remains to spec.

When I find it I will post the link.
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      10-18-2016, 01:11 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twt View Post
I put about 250 miles on the car and wanted to check the factory alignment to establish a base for future tracking, the car also felt a little odd in the seat/rear. I took it to GTE in Atlanta, they do a ton of track cars, and it showed that both rear toe numbers were off (toe out) and the RR camber as well. After resetting the car feels better. If you went to the dealer with these settings they would tell you that you needed a $200 alignment! GTE said this is not unusual in that most new Porsches come in with off factory numbers.


Attachment 1509921
I feel for you. I had a M Roadster back in the day, and it didn't drive right the first week I had it. Took it back to the dealer and the aligned it - it was way off (front and rear).
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      10-18-2016, 02:07 PM   #17
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The factory just get it close, it is never very precise.
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      10-18-2016, 08:13 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HP Autosport View Post
The factory just get it close, it is never very precise.
That's a sad commentary that the port or the dealer would not check an M car before delivery...
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      10-19-2016, 02:47 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Twt View Post
That's a sad commentary that the port or the dealer would not check an M car before delivery...
Unfortunately that is not one of the checks they do at the port, but at the dealership level that should have been caught on a road test. Does the car pull to one side or the other?
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      10-19-2016, 04:13 PM   #20
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this is my printout from dealer alignment with installation of lowered MP suspension
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      10-19-2016, 06:19 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HP Autosport View Post
Unfortunately that is not one of the checks they do at the port, but at the dealership level that should have been caught on a road test. Does the car pull to one side or the other?
Did not pull....but felt rough in the seat....scrubbing
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      10-19-2016, 06:20 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M+M View Post
this is my printout from dealer alignment with installation of lowered MP suspension
It looks like you had a rear toe issue as well from the factory.
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