| Author |
Message |
Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Junior Member
Username: Rexrcr
Post Number: 245
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 7:28 am: | |
The Ferrari shims are larger in diameter and IMO transfer the suspension loads better into the chassis. They are not expensive from the dealer. They come in 0.5 mm incriments from 1.0 to 3.0. Most likely you can use the alignment shops shims even though they'll look different, I wouldn't be concerned if you're only shimming 1.0 mm or so. More shims required, then I'd use Ferrari only. |
Dr Tommy Cosgrove (Vwalfa4re)
Member
Username: Vwalfa4re
Post Number: 526
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 1:34 pm: | |
Shims are shims. Don't let someone sell you special high priced Ferrari only shims. |
Greg Owens (Owens84qv)
Member
Username: Owens84qv
Post Number: 667
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 11:37 am: | |
Thanks Mike / Rob. In all of the reading I've done, I've made notes to remove and replace the same shims in the same locations when I re-install the a-arms. Do I need to have other shims or varying thicknesses for the alignment shop or are the Ferrari shims an "off the shelf" variety?
I'll stop by a few of the candidate shops and ask some questions. Thanks again for all of your help. |
Mike Charness (Mcharness)
Junior Member
Username: Mcharness
Post Number: 238
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 7:50 am: | |
Greg: I have taken my 1984QV to NTB (National Tire and Battery, where I also have tire work done) for alignment on their laser/optical rack. Both times they did a great (careful) job. One of the times there was no charge at all since the alignment was already within spec. Their computer didn't match the settings that were in my owner's manual, so we used my owner's manual specs. In fact they changed it in their computer for the next time. |
Rob Schermerhorn (Rexrcr)
Junior Member
Username: Rexrcr
Post Number: 237
Registered: 11-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 7:06 am: | |
Any competent shop with a four wheel alignment rack can do the work. Check out the cleanliness and organization of the facility before you take your car there, it will give you that gut feeling of good or bad place to take service work.
Actually, if you can rebuild your suspension, you can align it too. Racers do it at the track with a high degree of accuracy all the time. Monofilament or string, jack stands, machinist's rule, tape measure, 2' spirit level, a dozen masonite 12" x 12" x 3/16" shims, 6' spirit level or 6' steel bar on which to rest the shorter level. A few shims from Ferrari for setting camber. Patience the first couple times you do it.
The four wheel laser or optical racks found in professional shops simply allow the procedure to go much faster, not necessarily more accurate. |
Greg Owens (Owens84qv)
Member
Username: Owens84qv
Post Number: 665
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 17, 2003 - 6:35 am: | |
I checked the archives for information and found relatively little. Should the 308 be taken to a Ferrari service shop for a four-wheel alignment or can most alignment shops perform this task? If I take it to a non-Ferrari shop, is there anything I should look for?
Sometime within the next couple of months, I'll be redoing all of the bushings in the a-arms, replacement of shocks, etc that will require a new alignment. My 308 is showing signs that she sort of needs one now anyway. I can't see shipping the car to a Ferrari dealer just for an alignment.
Does anyone know what the alignment specs are (Toe, Camber, etc.). I have not yet checked my manual...Thanks. |