DonT

HELP...
Visiting a friend in Fredericksburg, VA and experiencing intermittent brake failure on my '87 928 S4. Sometimes pedal goes all the way to the floor and can be pumped up and stop just fine. Other times brake works normally.

I do NOT have access to any tools. Will somebody recommend a shop in Fredericksburg.

And NO it was not alot of fun driving on I-95 when you're never sure wether the brakes will work or not.

Speedtoys

Master Cylinder.

IcemanG17

2nd master cylinder.....

mickster

The only shop that even advertises they do Porsche repair (and be surprised if they know 928s well) is Forza: http://www.forzaautomotive.com/ No idea if they are any good and no information besides Internet Search. Might have to make do if he doesn't want to tow it somewhere.

Glenn M

Third master cylinder.
Tom is in Fredrickburg

fraggle

Sorry Don, I don't know any shops!!

dcrasta

Master Cylinder you can do with a 30$ tool kit from Lowes or Harbor Freight.

But if you want to pay 300-400 bucks for that job most shops that can do german cars should be able to handle it. Its an awkward job but looks doable in 3-4 hours.

There are (or were) A few 928 guys down near there. Try some of the VA members see if one will help or do this for you. a 'Shop' shop may be hard to find (that knows 928 more than the members here). Good luck and please do not drive with bad master cylinder (when you need it the most is when it will fail).

dr bob

DonT: Followup?


Others reading: Join the OC for travelling references to other members with tools.

Speedtoys

But then again, there's nothing at all specific about a 928 MC, that wouldnt be like changing one in a Jeep for the most part.

ANY mechanic you trust, can do this pretty simply.

MarkRobinson

a friend described odd issues like that on his '82: turned out his vacuum check valve was installed backwards: wouldn't hurt to check that first.

dcrasta

Usually vacuum is a hard pedal (no vacuum assist to the booster) but brakes will work fine just require more effort.

When it goes to the floor in my experience 9 times out of 10 its been the MC failing . Another indicator of bad Master Cylinder seals would be very dark brake fluid. The black color is your oring seals deteriorating .. You can sometimes rebuild these but in my experience the bore of the master cylinder is usually too worn to rebuild .. Replace with new MC and get a trusted shop that doesn't have its head in its rear to do . Like someone else said, not overly 'specific' as far as swapping a Master cylinder, its just a car, but some places get $$ in their eyes when a Porsche rolls into the bay.

DonT

Thanks everyone for your assistance. I have AAA 100 mile towing option and I'm currently less than 85 miles from a shop (Tri Tec Automotive in Annapolis, MD) that's done lots of my work. AAA is towing the car to the shop. Friend is driving me home.

mickster

Glad to hear! I had Tri Tec do a good PPI for me. Good shop!

DonT

Update:

Car is at shop in Annapolis, MD and I'm home. Waiting for update from shop.
I'll post the results when I know them.

dcrasta

IS that the car in your avatar ? If that was my car I wouldn't let it out of my site (Smokey burnouts by the shop mechanics on a 'testing the brakes drive'...LOL)

Dont mean to scare you. It will work out fine Master Cylinders go bad after 10 - 20 years