930 under Restoration

How many of you guys do ALL your own work on you cars? Not counting machine work, ofcourse or any work that requires very expensive or specialized tools. P9201 excluded also.

Cass944

I do, heres a list of the jobs I have tackled. some with help from friends.

• Tranny work (i didnt actually do the work, just removing and installing)
• New clutch and flywheel install
• motor mounts
• front struts
• rear shocks
• completely taken apart and reasembled all 4 brakes with rotors, hubs, and bearings
• timing and balance belts
• water pump
• head removal (of a freinds 944)

I can even change my own oil!
that reminds me, oil pan gasket.

dgz924s

I maintain every element on my car except transmissions. Dal

Mr. Avionics

Me Too:
So far major work done:
Clutch
Tie Rods
Ball Joint
Belts
Sway Bars
Major 100,000 mile tune up
Door Handles
and a bunch of little cosmetic repairs/replacements.

Easy Car to work on I have found.
Bill

944_S_TYPE

Same here. I am an aircraft mechanic by day...Porsche fixer by night...... There is nothing I will not attempt to fix, (except transmissions) Just rebuilt the one on my 1997 F150, And I swear I will never do one again!

bader$

I am a Certified Master Technician by trade so I do all my own work on everything I own.

horsepowerfarm

I typically do everything, including body work but I don't shoot paint.

97xray

I do - excluding the PPI and concurrent work done at the time of purchase.
But I've been lucky and had no internal engine work to do.
I can't list the work I've done here; it's too long!

rpm's S2

I have done alot of the work on my cars - including replacing the cam chain tensioner and CV joints on my S2. But I have admit that in the past few years I have stopped doing oil changes. Between the cost of the materials, the time, and oil disposal its just easier to have it done by a quality shop for around $50-60.
Maybe I'm just getting old.

skene

I do everything myself too. Of course right now that's only been my rod bearings/oil pan gasket and a bunch of little things. I've done my own body work and painting on motorcycles too.

Why is it that a number of you won't touch transmissions though? Are they really that bad in these cars? I've put together a couple motorcycle transmissions and didn't think they were any more difficult then the rest of the engine. Then again, 60-70's era motorcycles are probably simpiler then 80's erra porsches.

944_S_TYPE

Transmissions are such a PITA. Plus if you do do something wrong, It is very costly and then you have to remove it again... I prefer to just pull them and drop it off at The tranny shop..... Then you get a warranty too

skene

I suppose that's a good reason. I'm currious because I think one of my syncro's is going. Shifting to first is hard, and reverse doesn't always work right. I'll try to change the fluid first though. Sorry to be a OT here.

seb928s

I do all my own work and others. I'm waiting on a job at a well known Porsche shop in town. Once I get in there it's going to be great . Trying to be a mechanic if you see where I'm going with this.

dgz924s

This alone is intimidating for me. If I were doing the work half of these parts would be missing and my gear box would weigh 10lbs!Dal

Dave951M

I do my work too, but a tranny is not on the list. It's far easier to get a known good unit and replace rather than delve into a broken one.

So far (on my cars and others)
clutch
tranny swap
cv joint r&r
cv joint replace
t tube
wheel bearings
brakes (rotors, pads, m cylinder, prop valve, calipers, hoses, in short- all of it)
exhaust
header repair
struts
shocks
p steering
ball joints
tie rods
shifter r&r
body (nearing having my 951 back up)
paint
r&r phone dials and Gotti wheels
install go fast goodies
replace lifters
t & bal belt
water pump
rollers
seals
alternator
other stuff I can't remember yet

I used to work as a prof wrench back in the day, so there isn't much I won't take a shot at, especially with a factory manual. But trannys- still cheaper and less headaches to replace than fight problems. One thing I've noticed on this board and on Pelican is the number of folks complaining about the cost of these cars. If you do your own work, they aren't that bad. Most of our cars are 15+ years old, stuff will wear out, some of it not exactly what you would replace on a low mile (sub 75k) car. Since I've driven "adventuremobiles" (read $300 cars) all my life, I've found that old cars will require an amount of parts and repair. It does level out after a while and is still far, far less expensive than a new car and the attendant costs involved. For example, if the car is paid for, then if you consider the amount you were paying out in payments and higher insurance, that money is likely more on an annual basis than you would be spending in parts on an older car. Regardless of the make, older cars will need some wrenching, if you can DIY, older cars are a bargain. All of which makes for a strong argument to learn to do your own wrenching.