BigAl1

Hi All,
I'm not yet a 928 owner, but looking at 2 right now. The first is a 86.5 Auto which needs a lot of interior work, and some minor exterior work, plus a new paint job. When inspecting the car, I found the RH "frame" channel that runs under the foot area in floor pans is dented upwards for maybe 18" of length. The LH side has only a small ding in the same area. Is this a concern? Minor or major problem? Also, looks like the floor pan is separated from the outer rocker skin right behind the wheel arch. Again - minor or major problem? I can't see any signs of damage on any other parts surrounding these areas.

TIA,
BigAl1

WICruiser

The channels under the seat areas are not "frame members" although they are often thought to be so people put jacks under them, and they get distorted. I believe it is more cosmetic than functional but others may chime in.

I don't know about the other area.

linderpat

What Roger said. Also, I haven't seen the splitting of the body off the bottom before. Can water get in there? If nothing else, could present a long term rust area that would compromise the unibody system. See if you can push (gently) a long peice of something thru it (like a tie strip - won't hurt anything), and see if it comes out above inside the cabin.

Mrmerlin

the cladding is actually the fender sometimes the lower portion can get pulled away from the chassis, its normal.

The frame rails do get distorted by assjackers not knowing what to jack on.
Or hitting debris on the road or going over curbs

BigAl1

Thanks all,
I suspect this damage is from jacking incorrectly as the trans/diff and steering rack are cleaner then the rest of underside parts. If I choose this one, then the splits will be sealed to prevent water access.

Allan

SeanR

Almost every 928 I have had in the air has the gap you show in the first picture, and yes, inadequate jacking is the cause of the dents in the 2nd. I'd not worry about it.

Landseer

Does the sunroof drain through that gap? Mine are same.

BigAl1

Good question - anybody??

Allan

Cosmo Kramer

Hey Al welcome!

Is this 86.5 in Toronto, burgundy interior that came from California originally?

FLYVMO

Here is a picture of the where the front sunroof drains expel water. I concur with Landseer. In case anyone wants to know where the cabin air gets expelled, it comes out through the louvers in front of the doors. "Official" Porsche image also enclosed

SeanR

Cant say for certain where it drains from, but if you pour some water in the open sunroof sides, you will see that it does come out, unless it is clogged.

Unclogged one yesterday with some weed Hacker string.

SeanR

Cool information, have never seen those pics. Thanks.

Cosmo Kramer

Definitely explains why my cabin filled full of smoke when I did a burnout the other day!

FLYVMO

BigAl1: I remember seeing some "collision repair dimensions" for the 928 posted somewhere here. They have all the critical dimensions to verify that the frame is straight. To verify that a car you are interested in has a straight frame, you could bring those with you next time you look at a prospective car. Maybe someone here on the list have them handy for scanning?

My car also has the slightly "dimpled" "frame rails (actually told they are crumple zones) after some idiot tried to raise my car and didn't bother to look where the REAL lift points are. Good luck in your search!

FLYVMO

Cosmo: what, you were going backwards? :P