Hi everyone.

I've owned my 1986 automatic for about 14 years with the same mechanic doing all the maintenance on it. I've always kept up on the stuff I knew was important like the timing belt changes, as well as a ton of other stuff for which I've accumulated a thick stack of invoices.

The car now has about 108K miles on the odometer is in very good shape mechanically and cosmetically.

I've been reading Rennlist for about the past month. A couple weeks ago, just after I had a full brake job done on the car, I started reading the threads about thrust bearing failure and now I'm a bit freaked out.

To my knowledge, the flex plate has never been checked. If I knew about the potential for thrust bearing failure before the car went in for its brakes, I would have had the shop check the plate for preload when they had it.

If you were me, would you wait a couple months to have it checked when the car's in for an oil change, or would you have it checked ASAP? I have no indication that anything is wrong, but the threads I've read make me think I could be sitting on a time bomb.

Thanks to everyone for all of the interesting posts.

 

CHECK IT NOW.... RIGHT NOW....

Don't wait. Trust me on this one...

Best Regards,

Mike

 

If it has lasted this long, it's going to be fine for a few more months.

 

If you're worried, get it checked. But I agree with Sean. If it's lasted this long (without symptoms) you'll probably be fine to leave it for a few more months.

 

a quick test ......pull the dipstick drip some of the oil onto a black piece of cardboard go into the sun and look for small metallic particles, if you see them then dont run the engine till you have the plate checked.
If just clear oil then have the flex plate checked soon

 

My advice would be different if this was a car that was just purchased, with no records.

 

These guys are crazy. CHECK IT NOW!

Just release the tension, and do a wear check later! You'll kick yourself later, especially if has never been released, and it springs back 6-10mm! (BTDT. Even with this, the engine may still be fine, but it looks terrible when you see it.)

Might as well order a PKlamp from Roger too.

 

Lets see....
Known failure effecting automatics...
known easy check....

procrastination....

Hey, why not wait until the bearing is in the oil which means your already doing damage...

I bet if you ask anyone who has had TBF, they would agree...
Check it NOW!

 

Yep. Had TBF... I agree....

CHECK IT NOW. It's too easy of an operation to let it go. I personally wouldn't even start it again until the tension had been released...

 

Thanks everyone. After reading the posts, I plan on having this checked very soon. I read about the PKlamp yesterday and also plan on ordering one and having it installed. Better safe than sorry.

Assuming no damage is done and assuming I have the PKlamp installed, I shouldn't have to worry too much about TBF in the future, right?

Before I found Rennlist, I was blissfully ignorant. My wife says reading only gets me into trouble (spending more money).

 

Hi Mr. C.,

TBF is a funny thing.

For those that haven't gone through this trauma, it doesn't seem like a big deal and tend to look at too much fussing about it as almost "un-manly." It's very good you stumbled onto all this information. Heed the advice you've been given about checking the health of your engine's thrust bearing and do release the pressure.

When it's time to rebuild your TT or when your in there for other reasons, do your 928 a great service and install one of our Super Clamps which stops the drive shaft pullout dead in it's tracks. Your 928 and it's engine will thank you!

One thing about installing any device is that you will still have to monitor the front flex plate for any movement regardless.

Cheers,

 

Amen to that first part.

And the last part, folks may think I am nuts, but even with the super clamp mine is going to get checked every other oil change, there is just to much at risk.

Not that I do not trust it, but things happen sometimes.

 

Hi Greg,

We will always recommend a check at least every oil change to make sure nothing has changed. Once you've been in there and have removed the inspection covers two rear most bolts, or changed them out with shorter ones to clear the exhaust, the whole visual inspection should take 15 minutes including removing the cover and replacing it. Only trouble I have is that I get mesmerized under the car and start looking at other areas of interest...

TBF is a bad thing to happen to any 928er, especially those with limited wrenching abilities. So, there is nothing wrong at all with frequent checks.

 

My advice was predicated on the fact that Mr. C appears to not do his own work. If he was a ver hands on person, I would say go do it now if you're worried, but he's not.

No offense to Mr. C, but he come accross as a more "seasoned" person (i.e. older - sorry) and probably does not drive the car very hard, but enjoys the feeling he gets from it nonetheless. So I really do not think he's going to stress the TT and more than it currently is between now and his next oil change. I may be wrong, but probably not.

If I were a betting man, I'd plunk down my life savings (not that it's a large sum, but it';s all I have) on a bet that his motor will be just fine between now and his next oil change.

But I agree, it should be done at some point, if it's never been done before.

 

Who you calling old whippersnapper.