Rob M Budd

Good news.
Preliminary report from the frame shop after inspection.

"We see it quite often. It's a repair we do frequently on many models, domestic and foreign. Michigan roads do that to a car. The 928 is a solidly built car to say the least. It could have happened a long time ago and not become apparent until it opened enough to produce the clicking sound.
We'll clean the area & inspect it, stop drill, weld it, and then re-undercoat. The 928 has a strong frame & won't need a plate added. It'll be fine. We'll inspect the other side and the entire frame, just in case."

docmirror

Excellent. You'll be on the road in a short time.

M. Requin

Rob, when this is done let us know the outcome and, if you don't mind, the cost. I think it would be a useful addition to the thread. And congrats btw on your good fortune in it being a relatively simple fix!

Rob M Budd

Got the 928 back from the frame shop. Upon removing the undercoat, turns out the cracks were small. The clicking sound was the result of a bad weld spot on the radiator cross member. Upon braking it would move just enough to make the noise.
Welded and re-undercoated. The rest of the frame checked out OK.
Repair cost was $300.
Took her out last night for some spirited driving. Like all 928s, it drives like it's on rails.

heinrich

Rob, that is excellent news I'm happy for you

Richter12x2

Yeah, definitely! Glad to hear it wasn't anything serious!

Mrmerlin

Rob I would also suggest that you do more inspection of the rails, I would remove one at a time the lower control arm boltsif you find that any of them are wet then i would drill a few small holes on the underside of the rails to let out water.
I isnt uncommon to find these bolts wet, from the picture there may be standing water in the rail.
If the bolt wont go back in then chase the threads and wire brush the bolt, put grease on the bolt to slow the corrosion.
Glad you got it welded back together

inactiveuser1

Years ago I was told by one of the guys at Porsche when they used to have toll free number on info that I shouldn't put 17" wheels on a 928 as the frames could crack so always stayed with the stock wheel setup.
_________________
87 S4 auto

inactiveuser1

On last post that was if putting 17inch wheels up from 16inch on 928 S4
they said could be prone to cracks to keep stock wheel setup.
Wonder if they had larger diameter wheels on the car?

M. Requin

Rob, tnx for the update, and glad it turned out to be not so serious! And Stan, thanks for that info on the rails. This all gets added to the file.

Benton

Great news!

Richter12x2

You're joking. Even from a physics point of view I don't see how that would matter.

Randy V

I'm not saying that's a fact, but less tire sidewall does translate additional forces to the suspension and frame.

Richter12x2

Maybe, but probably not quite as much as driving 20 mph over the speed limit.