RE: Alignment

["Dupree, Jim" <dupree@alldata.com>]

It is a matter of learning what works for a given application.
I have developed alignment procedure and specifications that has worked
extremely well for Porsche 911's in Autocross. These specifications do have
some drawback in use on the streets though and they are far from what
Porsche specifies. All alignment specs are a compromise and most suitable
for a particular application, track alignment specs differ from Autocross
specs which differ from street specs. Audi has developed specifications that
should work best for a street car but not necessarily in a racing or
10/10ths application. Did the Audi race cars use the same specs as the
street cars? Typically a racing or 10/10ths alignment specification will
have some undesirable aspect for a street car, E.I..  tire wear, twitchy on
the highway, or maybe control problems after the limit has been reached. The
idea is a set up that pushes the handling limit farther than stock, but in
my experience it seems the farther the limit is pushed the harder it is to
regain control after the limit is crossed. This means it requires more skill
from the driver and this is also why factory alignment specification and
suspension design tend toward oversteer since it is easier for the nominal
driver to deal with.
Many of us upgrade our engines, suspension and other parts of our cars from
stock to fit our own personal use, why should alignment be any different
than these? Well other than the skill, time and equipment required to
develop specs that work for you. If the "spider bite" is alignment induced
or enhanced then it needs to be included in the development of the
specifications or maybe it is a part of the compromise involved.
I was taught the vehicle should be aligned in the state that it is most used
in. Our completion alignments were all done "as raced", no spare, no tools
with driver. A street alignment would be with spare and tools if that is how
the owner drove normally. We also do them n the ground and if we have to
lift the car it is driven before we proceed again with the alignment, it
makes for a drawn out process but the results are consistent.
Jim Dupree


		-----Original Message-----
		From:	quk@isham-research.demon.co.uk
[mailto:quk@isham-research.demon.co.uk]
		Sent:	Wednesday, October 13, 1999 5:39 PM
		To:	OorQue@aol.com
		Cc:	quattro@audifans.com
		Subject:	Re: Alignment

		In message <0.a36fce01.253629eb@aol.com> OorQue@aol.com
writes:

		> >  No, the specification is 'unladen'.  Everything except
the spare wheel
		> >  is removed and the tank is 1/4 full, as specified.

		> I'm aware of the specifications.  I also know that a car
aligned in the
		> manner that Audi describes will *not* be properly aligned
even if it meets
		> Audi's specs with zero tolerance.

		There seem to be so many people around here who know better
than Audi ...

		--
		 Phil Payne
		 UK Audi quattro Owners Club
		 Phone: 07785 302803   Fax: 0870 0883933