I know Terry well, and he is immensely passionate about his cars. For him to say that he had to walk out of the room for the safety of the Manager is saying something because he has a very calm disposition.

Mike, You can easily go from reverse to 1st in these cars, there is no first lockout, just reverse. However it would have required some force.

Stan's suggestion about checking the transmission oil for chunks is a good one.

And if the car had enough force to lunge sideways he obviously had given it some gas and practically dropped the clutch! That takes more than 500 lbs to move a car like that.

My fear is more for the TT, and 5th gear (input shaft) of the transmission.

As to having Porsche (MCL) inspect the car for damage. They would have ZERO clue what to look for. This is the same story for ALL registered shops in the lower mainland. None of them know the 928, or what to look for.

 

The Dyno drum, reduction gear train, and attached generator, have several 100-lbs of mass, the issue is that it is rotating, thus the torque loading or force impulse on the 928 drive train is magnified by the square of the velocity or (F=ma) deceleration rate, if the 928 was strapped down (increasing traction more than the 3,500 lb weight equivalent) on the rollers it is a miracle you were able to drive away.


That reminds me to drain my gear oil since a Friend drove my car and went from 3-rd to reverse instead of 3-rd to 2-nd, loud grinding of gears was all that happened, the lock out saved me there.

Unfortunately you cannot let anyone drive a 5-sp 928 without training them first

 

Listen to your wife, and don't forget about a new torque tube and the cost of installing it all as well.

 

And of course, write everything you know down: names, dates, what was said, etc. The better your log, the better your chance of a successful claim. I'm no lawyer, but I can tell you this helps a lot in maritime law.

 

Definitely have everything inspected by a competent mechanic immediately. Don't drive the car until its done. You might also consider getting the local government involved since ultimately they are the ones that require this type of emissions tests and they should be held liable for approving an idiot to perform the inspections.

Having said that I am sooooo glad that MA did away with the STUPID dyno emissions tests. I used to get really stressed out every time I went in for an inspection and I would also tell the inspector about the dogleg. Luckily I only came across competent guys which were pretty careful with the car. Now they just plug in for emissions checks in MA.

 

Nothing more to say that has not already been said.. But HOLY CRAP. Im furiose and its not even my car. How can anyone be so damn stupid.

How did he get it in the shop on the rollers, he had to be in first then?
Does your reverse lock out work right?

 

I am a lawyer (inactive) and + 928 to Martin's observation.

Extensive, detailed contemporaneous notes of _every_ contact/communication will be a great help. Write an account of the incident now. Put the date and time on it and all notes. If you have access to a time-stamp device, use it.

Check your local law, but in many (most?) states in the USA it is legal to record any conversation you have as long as one party (i.e., you) consents.

I don't nothin' 'bout no metallurgy, but I'd be concerned about stress risers and such. Whatever they are.

 

Yeah, the challenge is getting proof that it happened, and getting proof damage was done. If you can get the manager to sign a statement that it happened, then you would be clear to get a new transmission installed, and then sue for the cost. But you won't win in court without some kind of proof. I might suggest that you get them to at least pay for your inspections. Then if there is indeed a problem, the fact that they agreed to pay for the inspection, is an admission that they knew something went wrong. The sad side of all of this, is the fact that the damage might not show up for several years. They may have added a lot of extra stress to the transmission parts, which will make them more likely to break later. Sorry to hear about that. It reminds me of a time I got my 928 dynoed by a shop that specialized in Mustangs. They told me they had to run the car, not me, and proceeded to take it all the way to/past redline. Like they were deliberately trying to blow the engine. I was so pissed, but I had no idea they were going to do that. I guess it's a reminder that you have to tell people what you expect. That you need to tell them what they can and can't do with these cars, and if they don't want to treat them with respect and caution, you will take your business elsewhere...

 

I am not sure what a mechanic is going to be able to tell short of taking every thing apart.

 

Agree, 100%.

 

You need to get the car to Colin, (who would seem to have some expertise in the subject matter) and have a proper evaluation of the extent of the damage. Before I have to put on my flame proof underwear, that was actually a compliment to Colin. Get a report on the situation and proceed accordingly. I think I actually make the guys who test mine really nervous when I show up. And I've got a rogerbox. Last time, I just about insisted I do the dyno part. Anybody can hold the Speed/RPM while watching the screen.

 

It's not easy to find someone at a dealership who has any clue about these cars. Not just in your area.

 

This was a very sh!tty thing to have happen -I think I would've yanked the technician out of the window!

Given that the car is nearly 20 years old, the shop can always say any damage is from age & previous use... they should at least pay for the complete disassembly & inspection at whatever amount Colin would charge. In the least, you will know what has to be done to the tranny to get it back to 100%.


This is just too funny! Well, at least you can quote and agree with yourself!

 

Be prepared for a long fight ... They'll have liability insurance, which will mean it's you vs the insurance company, not you vs the workshop. Pretty much the only time those guys pay out is when something falls off a lift or a mechanic wrecks the car on a test drive.

Not sure how it works up there, but in New Zealand if a workshop breaks your car, you have to give the workshop that made the mistake the opportunity to fix it (at their cost, of course). You can't get it fixed elsewhere and then present them with the bill unless they agree to this first. Obviously, if it's just a testing station with no attached workshop this doesn't apply, but in any case it'll be a good idea to check out the legal details before you start spending any money.

 

Rob,

I don't take any offence to much.

However I work privately and not through a corp. As such while I am far more knowledgable in the car and what to look for. My word would not stand up.