Had my car aligned!

Just wanted to say thanks to Rich/John and the team at Wynn! I had my car aligned yesterday.. I had no idea how much was involved! This is definitely something you can't just get at any alignment shop!! For those out there that think you can go to any $49.99 Joe Blow alignment shop and have you Ferrari done, Good luck!!!!

They adjusted the ride height, corner weighted it and then aligned it. They even let me sit and watch the whole process.. From time to time asked if I had any question or concerns.

Here are a few pics. I had a couple others but they didn't turn out.. Thanks again guys!!!!
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What in the rear could not be adjusted? The rear is fully adjustable for ride height, camber and toe... If they don know that, I would talk to someone else.

 

All the alignment (camber, toe and caster ) on the 355 is set by using shims, except for toe in the front. Time consuming and a bit tricky, did it last week on mine ;-) We spent 2.5 hours to get the way I wanted it...

 

This was my latest schassi settings: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=285263&highlight=camber

 

Wow! I guess I should have paid more attention.. All that is like speaking German to me.. I do know that it was adjusted in the back also.

 

From what it looked like yes! I really don't know what they were adding, looked like thin "U"shaped metal? But not sure if they were adding them or if they took them off??

 

You can buy the shims in 0.5 to 3 mm in steps of 0.5 mm Here in Europe you can get them from Hill Engineering but I know many American cars use the too so you can get shims in inches as well.

Removing and/or adding the shims is part of the process and this is where it gets time consuming ;-) You have to add/remove shims according to your wishes and see where you end up, go back adjust again and try again. Since ride height and camber affect the toe you need to do this in a certain order and set toe in front last. An experienced alignment shop know the order and should be able to do this in the correct sequence.

This is what the shims look like: http://www.hillengineering.co.uk/catalog/101039-p-129.html?osCsid=284e94235c57787db8f44b26000ce62d

You can get them in a set of 40 shims for £49

 

If the rear is sitting too low, you cannot take enough camber out of the rear end to reach the -2.0 degrees spec camber. IIRC you mentioned something in the -2.53 range with zero shims. This is typical of a car set 3/4"-1" of an inch too low.

 

Here are the printouts they gave me. Not really sure what they mean?? FYI my car has also been lowered about 3/4"
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Nice, i am next ! Can't wait !

 

Thanks Mitch
That explains a lot

 

That looks good, not sure about the toe since it is in degrees and I am used to mm. But if I remember correct that looks like close enough

 

They put in 4 weighted bags 2 on ea. seat (approx. 160lbs. each side) so I didn't have to be in the car.

 

WOW and I thought your car was already set low ! What they gonna do with mine that sits as high as a 4x4 !

 

What happened to sambomydog's posts in this thread?

 

2cms lower is the way to go
anything more than that looks pimped
but factory settings sits like a 4 wheel drive

 

Was wondering the exact same thing. Quoted from another thread, perhaps?

 

I think he deleated them??? They were gone about 30min after I posted???

 

Just got my 348 back from the Ferrari dealer shop here in Vegas, alignment, wheel balance and ride high reset. The car was lowered 30mm front (i can't believe this much was needed) and 10mm rear, also shaved 10mm from the rear 360 rims. On my way back home was like driving another vehicle, straight like an arrow and very balanced ! I would highly suggest anyone troubled with the car behaving strangely at high speed (more or less scary) to go a head and do the same thing (except the 360 rear rims shaving of course). I have a feeling that many of these cars have never had the alignment \ ride high reset done since they were new. Will post pics before and after as soon as i get the chance to take same angle pictures.

As Reg said in the first post ... don't go anywhere else than a Ferrari dealer shop to do the job. Too much is involved in this procedure ....