RDS928S

Well,

Job completed: new S4 brakes all around, new ball joints & wheel bearings.

We tried to save the ABS function but the early spindles do not have enough metal to drill and tap for the sensor. We will send out another pair of early
spindles and weld extra material on so we can drill and tap for the sensor.
But that's another project.

Does anyone know if the rear ABS functions independantly from the front?
ABS light comes on now. What is the best way to handle that? Pull ABS relay

RDS

BC

Very nice RDS. I have some early spindles - did you have them crack tested or were they more solid looking? Mine are somewhat rusted and I was planning on having them magnafluxed or SOMETHING so I could rest assured that they were not going to crack. They aren't actually that easy to find.

RDS928S

Brendon,

they looked pretty solid after cleaning them up a bit. The next project is to weld on more material to the spindle so there is adequate room to mount the ABS sensor.

Rich

fbarnhill

Hey Rich,

Way to go man It is on my to-do list if I decide to keep the 79. I have to fight the urge to sell it and get my own 86.5. The darn car is in such great shape i can't seem to find an excuse to sell it.

Best of luck,

RDS928S

Frank,

keep that old girl. Spend the cash on upgrades vs. the 86.5.
You can make your 79 just as nice.

Rich

BC

I am thinking of trying to put ABS on the 78. With the pump from the 86, and the computer from a later car it MAY work.

fbarnhill

Thanks Rich,
Man the car looks great. How do you like them so far? Was it worth the $$$?

Happy Thanksgiving,

GregBBRD

You will notice that the ball joint hits the rotor (under compression) when you do this conversion (and it hits pretty darn hard). It will actually rub a deep groove into the rotor on the inboard side, near the inner edge of the rotor. The rotor will do a pretty good job of machining down the ball joint, also. You might want to check this out and see how you like it before you move to the next step. We've never been really pleased putting that kind of leverage on the ball joint. The fulcrum is actually trying to snap the shaft of the ball joint. But we are pleased that we don't have to pay the product liabilty insurance bill on this conversion....eventually someone is going to have a catastrophic failure and it will be expensive.

greg brown

RDS928S

Frank,

yes it was worth it $$$. I purchased all the parts ala-carte over the past year and half. Some were used like the calipers. New Zim 993 rotors were sourced of ebay for $209.00.

Gregg,

wow thanks for that bit of comforting news. Can you elaborate on your experiences? I will have to pitch your info past D. Roberts and others for clarification.

Thanks Rich

Mike Frye

RDS,

I love that car. Awesome pix too. Rotors and calipers look sweet .

How hard is it to do the bearings while you're in there for everything else?

I've got an A-arm rebuild, tie rod and ball joint job planned over the winter and I'm thinking rotors (probably) and possibly bearings while I'm in there. I did the 12-and-6 test and there's not much play, but if it's not a major deal, it would be silly to leave it for another time.

tv

Pic #8 would be poster material if you had a different background. The colors, the shine, and the look of your OB are just phenomenal.

How is the ride with those low profile tires?

Vilhuer

Was it '86 or '87 when number of teeth changed from 90 to 45 in wheel sensors? Parts might not mix too well.

RDS928S

Mike,

wheel bearings are a must once your in there. No biggy-just another hour packing them etc.

TV, the Michelin pilot sports (N rating) are the nicest tires I have experienced in 12 years of Porsche ownership. The ride is supprisingly smooth.

I need some feedback on the upsetting news posted by Gregg.

Rich

BC

87. 86 have 90, 87 have the lower number. Sensors and pump I think are the same.

Bill Ball

How does the balljoint hit the rotor under compression? The balljoint is rigidly attached to the spindle, isn't it? What is flexing or moving? With stock S4s there is quite a gap and a backing plate between the rotor and balljoint.