Wheel alignment problem on 65C

[Jerry Powell]

Data:
Alignment method is string.
Front tranny shims are in correct places.
Front wheel alignment is within porsche spec..
Fender heights:
lf-24 4/8" rf-24 5/8"
lr-21 3/4" rr-21 3/4"
Toe:
lr-0 rr-1/8 out(+)
Camber:
lr-negative 0.5 degrees
rr-positive 0.7 degrees

Problem is rr has positive camber and toe out.

My approach is to move rr axel tube forward to correct the toe out but then the camber will be more positive.

Appreciate some guidance to get the rr in spec

Thanks,

Jerry

[Vic Skirmants]

"My approach is to move rr axel tube forward to correct the toe out but then the camber will be more positive."
Why would the camber be more positive?? Shouldn't change.

[Jerry Powell]

OK, that's good news. So moving the axle tube forward or backward in the spring plate only changes the toe not the camber?

[Martin Benade]

That’s right.

[Jerry Powell]

What about this procedure for the RR:
Move axle tube forward 1/16" to correct the 1/8" toe out.
Move spring plate up 50' to correct the 0.7 degree positive camber.

[Jerry Powell]

Does moving the spring plate up or down effect the toe or just the camber?

[Martin Benade]

I am surprised that the rear camber is more than a degree different side to side when the height is identical. I would check further to make sure those measurements are really correct. Moving the spring plate wouldn’t affect the toe much, but toe is the last thing to set.

[Jerry Powell]

Doubled checked the camber measurements and they are correct.
Going to move the RR spring plate up 50' and hopefully the camber will be close to zero.
Then adjust toe.
Assuming this works, I know the RR fender height will be lower then the LR but I don't know that I can do about that.

[Martin Benade]

For best handling a little negative camber at the rear is very desirable.

[Doug McDonnell]

Jerry are your rear torsion bar bushings new or at least newish? Not 50+ years old I hope.

[Jerry Powell]

Bushings are OK--not new but not worn.

[Bill Lawless]

Good info. right here!!!
I just printed this to a .pdf file as I am going to be doing exactly this very shortly.. Mine is wearing rear tires on the inside.. Start with new torsion bushings...

-Bill

[Al Zim]

Zim"s has tried numerous alignment machines including what Porsche recommended for cars in the early 70's (not to far removed from the 356) The fault with this alignment equipment is that when you lifted the car to move something or install the mirrors when the car settled down on the alignment machine it was in a different postilion. With the equipment we use now that does not happen. If You have installed new parts on the car or changed the tires. The car must be driven at least 4 miles for things to settle, more in cold weather. Finally WHY YOU CANNOT DO THIS AT HOME. Is because you cannot find the center line on the rear axle. You can easily have toe in with one rear wheel having excessive toe our and one with excessive toe in. IF YOU CANNOT ASCERTAIN THE CENTER LINE OF THE CAR AT THE REAR WHEELS AND SET YOUR TOE IT FROM THE CENTER LINE YOU WILL NOT GET THE REAR WHEELS TO TRACK DIRECTLY BEHIND THE FRONT WHEELS! Thus you will never get the car to go down the road straight! al zim We are beating our heads against the wall! the car has been driven over 25 miles it does not look as if it has been wrecked. This is the 4th time on the alignment rack. We still have too much toe in on one side. We just purchased some sliders to fit on the Hunter rack because the 356 is so short that the wheels do not fit the slip plates that are designed for longer cars. We charge $400 to align your car and we lost money on this one.

[Jerry Powell]

Al, if I lived in Texas, I would give you the car. It is not easy to find someone to align this car, so I must attempt it myself. What procedure would you suggest to get a negative camber on the rear of 0.1 to 1.0 .

Current settings based on my work today are:
Camber--LR---negative 0.5 degrees
RR---positive 0.4 degrees
Rear fender height--LR--21 5/8"
RR--21 4/8"

Rear Toe has not been measured at this point.

Jerry

[Doug McDonnell]

https://porsche356registry.org/article/140 Article plus this: viewtopic.php?t=42244 and viewtopic.php?t=27245 should get you started I think. If you have a smartphone download an inclinometer app to measure angles as it will help.