Bill Ball

Jeff, the 85 and earlier cars have a different central shaft which is held in place by a shimmed retainer on the front side of the clamp. They don't suffer TBF unless somebody screws up the TT.

Yeah, Brendan. Undo the TT clamp. Pry so flyweel is pushed to the front, zero, then pry to the rear and read.

John Struthers

Bill,
FWIW for whatever reason.
Neither, Zack's Great White -81'-, nor, 'Pattycakes' -82'- the Wunder Weissach
have a shimmed retainer anywhere in sight (either side). And no indication by wearmarks of having ever been installed. Just 'Ye Olde Klampfh' mit der killer allen set screw smothered in Loc-Tite.
Used the same movement/travel dimension, but used a different method to measure.
I could be wrong ... but, as far as I'm concerned, all of the auto's need to be checked irregardless of model/year.
Bill can't remember if it was you or not when we were going thru the alternate two-part adhesives question for the clamp screw a few years ago but if it was the general concensus was to add 10% to the re-torque which I did with no slipage problems.
In any case this was a well hashed inspection project and I was hoping someone could wander thru the archives and link it.
If anyone is contemplating this 1 -2 hour project I would like to recommend that you eyeball the area in question before you re-install the fly-wheel cover and find a place to mark the shaft in such a way fingernail polish , etc..., so you can tell at a glance if there has been movement NEXT TIME.
ROG,
Waiting for you to do this inspection on your Weissach for confirmation or castigation on the mystery clamp/shim.
You ain't started yet????
Post Script
Brian,
Your wheels look more than fine...Classic.
Ahem...
Now to a more delicate issue.
Perhaps you should edit your Jpegs just a bit.
When first viewed the second picture appears to be a set of sunburned , strangled, bag berries.
I know as 928 owners we are all categorized as borderline S/M freaks but
that picture gave me some aches and pains...

BC

It moved a milimeter. So I pryed it back and reclamped at the lower number.

Bill Ball

I believe the provision for shim adjustment did not start until the 4-speed auto gearbox. So, 83-84US automatics have a TT with the shims. 85-88 auto used the same shaft with the groove for the shim retainer, but the shim parts were left off.

The WSM shows measuring at the front with all accessories removed. I think what we did would give the same result. We could have removed the flexplate to get right on the crank end, but the clamp was very loose and the flexplate is rigid enough that the tiny dial gauge spring would not deflect it. I think it was accurate and reliable.

I haven't done any adhesive stuff. I just release the flexplate every few months. It has moved about 3mm every time. Never more. This was Brian's car we were doing this time. It moved less. I don't know if we marked it or not.

Those fingers are dirty but you have a dirtier mind.

IcemanG17

Bill
Ditto!! I knew you shoulda worn gloves!!!

SecaBlue

Just curious how long it took you to check it yourself?

Speedtoys

Myself, in a driveway, 2hrs. It's really trivial with the right tools at hand.

But since having the shaft put together -properly- ill never have to check it again.

IcemanG17

I think the 3 things we did were only a few hours, but bill did have a lift which is much faster than rolling around on your back

SecaBlue

Cool... thanks!