Carpokes Porsche Forum

I am interested in hearing your thoughts on how they did, if calibration included a 4 wheel alignment, and what the cost was.

Southbama wrote: Fri Sep 02, 2022 6:31 am I am interested in hearing your thoughts on how they did, if calibration included a 4 wheel alignment, and what the cost was.

When @Crazy Eddie picked up his brand new GT4, a rock took out his windshield driving home from the dealer with maybe 25 miles on the car. The dealer replaced it with the factory glass for that car and I'm pretty sure that's all there was to it. That was 2016, and a GT4, so probably fewer camera-based systems on the car, if any. I've never heard of a Porsche needing a 4-wheel alignment to change the windshield, but understand it's a possibility on some cars with lots of camera Nannies. I bet if you call a dealer service dept with your VIN they can tell you for sure.

Yes, I have discussed with my pityful local dealer and they tell me that 4 wheel alignment is part of the required calibration. Scares the hell outta me to give them my car for anything, but especially a windshield.

Southbama wrote: Fri Sep 02, 2022 2:59 pm Yes, I have discussed with my pityful local dealer and they tell me that 4 wheel alignment is part of the required calibration. Scares the hell outta me to give them my car for anything, but especially a windshield.

It's my understanding that most dealers order the glass for people and then sub-contract a specialist to come to the shop and actually install it. As far-fetched as the alignment seems, I have heard that it can be required if you have lane change assist or other camera-based nannies. Very hard to believe they'd need to 'change' the alignment due to the windshield, but rather sync it up with the nannies' calibrations, but I don't know....

My first brand new car was an '87 Rx7. It had a rattle up front. The tech drove around the block and said they had to change the entire dash board. Naively, I let them do it no questions asked. It did not fix the rattle at all. When I told them I still had the rattle, they drove with me and told me the noise was 'normal' -- same noise, same guy. I later learned that some dealers will cook up expensive repairs because they are able to charge the factory for the work. No idea if that's what happened to me, but in hindsight, it felt that way. Armed with your VIN, you could call a reputable dealer anywhere and ask the shop manager if an alignment is really needed on your car. Call Gunter at Fremont Porsche. If he says you need an alignment, you need an alignment.

I had mine replaced two weeks ago. As per Tom, the dealer had a sub come to the shop and replace it. No alignment mentioned or performed. I have none of the camera/radar nannies.

OttawaSteve wrote: Mon Sep 05, 2022 4:52 pm I had mine replaced two weeks ago. As per Tom, the dealer had a sub come to the shop and replace it. No alignment mentioned or performed. I have none of the camera/radar nannies.

I talked to Crazy Eddie this weekend and he said the same thing. He thinks it was Safelite that actually did the work at the dealer, and no alignment needed. Like you, he has no camera-based nannies though.

My 997 4s caught a rock/ black walnut in the windshield. Dealer wanted me to take it there and they had a glass company they recommended and was supposed to be “the” Porsche glass guy. Instead the guy came to my house took about 90 minutes to replace and did a great job. Couldn’t be more pleased. There was no discussion of alignment although I’ve heard that before.

2020 GT4 windshield replaced due to rock damage, by dealer, no alignment required. My car has no lane assist either.
Added clear rock shield to protect against such rock damage.

Update.......dealer wants $1500, which includes 4 wheel alignment and calibration due to cameras. I have decided to wait until I replace the front tires (just replaced rears for the first time). The crack is straight down the middle, about an inch to one side of the embedded antennae, and doesnt bother me as much now after living with it for 10,000 miles. I am a mortgage banker. Can you imagine what payroll looks like these days?