pilotshark

Anyone have any experience with Pro technik in Houston? How about Koby Motors? Both are listed On Dana's 928 page --&gt;<a href="http://www.eatel.net/~dslabat/mech.htm#Texas" target="_blank">Dana's 928 Page</a>

I am looking for a shop that knows the ins and out of the 928. I plan on changing my brake pads (and possibly one caliper) most of my a/c system, my shocks and my ball joints and related items. I don't think I want to undertake these repairs/upgrades myself. I will probably purchase the parts first seperately then take it all in for the labor to be done. Any experience with this method as well?

Thanks guys.

ViribusUnits

Well, I just replaced the ball joints and t-belt.

Both where easy, and the only special tool I required was the t-belt tension gauge.

You could do these very easily in two weekends if you wanted to. I'm a very inexperenced wrench, and it's been slow going because I've had problems, but just shy of three weekends was all it took me.

There's nothing quite so fun as haveing your 928 apart all over your feet. And then putting it back together, right!

pilotshark

Thanks VU,

Did it take longer to do the belt than the joints? I may still try to do the joints myself but am a bit nervoust about trying it since I am a bit unexperienced as a wrench. I actually enjoy getting my hands dirty and replacing parts when $$$ permits, but this seem slike a vital component that I am afraid to screw up. Kinda like the brakes. I still need a shop for A/C repairs though. Anyone used Pro Technik or Koby motors?

icat

I've used Pro Technik for work on my 951 - highly recommend them for belts,clutch work, etc... I have not used them for a/c repair, but they are great on everything else.

In the same complex as ProTechnik is Viking Motorsports, they are also on my recommeded list. Both shops are heavily involved in the "local" Porsche scene.

Don Carter

I've used Koby several times and have always had good experiences with them. Paul Koby has been considered a 928 expert for many years, but he seems to slowly be turning over much of the work to his helper Achilles(sp?), who is also very good.

Koby Motors is not a fancy place, but it's the kindof place where you can hang around and discuss the details of your repairs, or ask advice about other issues without feeling like you are a bother to anyone. Prices seem very reasonable, and I think these are very honest guys.

BTW, I don't think you are on my Houston 928 owner's spreadsheet. I'll set you up and let you know of any future gatherings.

ViribusUnits

I am a very inexperenced wrench. I ask the board, my father, and my neibor when ever anything seems even a bit off.

Changeing the ball joints is much easer, and shorter, than changeing the t-belt in my opinion. If done properly, all you have to do is remove the wheel on that side, pop the tapered stud out of it's place, undue three bolts, dissasymble everything, reassymble everything and tork up 3 bolts. Repeat for other side.

I had problems, includeing I miss read my tork wrench (128lb/ft vers 88lb/ft), didn't notice I was running out of thread, and over torked one of the bolts. I broke the bolt. I spent all day disasymbling the lower arm, getting replacements, and reassymbleing the whole deal, and then going to the other side. Forchantly, I didn't screw up twice, and the other side was finished in about 1 1/2 to 2 hours, because I had trouble getting the ball joint stud out. It's a very easy bolt off, bolt on job. The only thing is that you need to pay attention to the ecentrics, and you need an
alignment job after upgradeing the ball joints.

As a tip, the only way I found I could get a tork wrench onto the nut on the ball joint stud was to use a 3/8" (?I'm not sure?) drive universal joint, and a very short socket. The only other choice would be one of those open ended wrench with a place to put the drive on the tork wrench. The universal joint worked, but it wasn't easy.

You will almost certainly need to use a spacer when installing the new ball joint. The new steel ball joints are thinner, and you'll run out of thread before it's tight. It will probably NOT look like it, but you probably will need it. I know. I did, I broke the bolt. Don't do what I did, and think you don't need a spacer. That mistake cost me money, time and skin. Bad.

The post about the "two hammer" methoid on Greg Nichol's site works well, and it's not too difficult.

Your right, it's a pretty major part. It's a reletivly easy job though. There are no realy "special" tools required, but go slow, and be careful. Watch the tork specs, and get them right. You realy can't screw up the instilation, since you need an alignment anyways. Use jackstand, and all of the like. You don't want the car comeing down on you while your messing around. Be careful.

Other than that, good luck.

pilotshark

Thanks for the great responses all. Yet another example of the quality to be found in the rennlist (Porsche community). My hat is off to you good people. @ Don, I hope you can add me to the list you mentioned. I would be grateful and would love to meet other local 928 owners. I will most likely check out Koby Motors first as i like a shop that I can visit with the mechanic without feeling like a 5th wheel. Reasonable rates are a plus too sine this is probably a smaller shop. At some point I am confident that I will give Pro Technik a look as well. Thanks again for the input fellas! BTW anyone who is ever in my area, feel free to give me a shout. I am on the 928 Roadhelp list and my e-mail is in my profile. Give me a shout. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />