timbuktoo

so I got the car up today and pulled out the alternator and its bracket.
I followed [loosely] these instructions http://dwaynesgarage.norcal928.org/1...0Procedure.htm, so thanks to Dwayne for the great guide.

thats the bracket. it was sheared apart, but the engine block is ok so thats better than the worst it could be (as he hesitates to say good).

I'm a little worried about the oil pressure sensor? as Dwayne's didnt have a hole like this, and since the incedent, when running, my car leaks a little bit of something (cant tell if its oil or PS fluid). I think it could be oil since the PS pump is lacking a belt. I think that is what happened to my PS, it lost the belt and stopped working, but if anyone else sees anything wrong in the photo that I missed please tell me.

the PS pump. it's hanging on the tubes because I didnt have the right size wrench to get them off, and Dwayne left his hanging it seems, so I think its fine?

the closer belt is just straight up loose, I think it goes to the fan and air pump or AC? the other belt goes to the air pump or AC? and I dont think it should be side ways like that, am I right?

I'm trying to think if I left out anything I wanted to ask...

Finally, Dwayne's 87( had skid plates underneath it which he needed to remove before working on it, but mine (86 auto) did not have skid plates. is that a difference between the 86 & 87 or did the PO leave the plates out aswell?

928porschemangreg

Put the alternator aside. Get the car on 4 jack stands buy new shocks for all 4 corners. Adjust the ride height to specs, replacing the shocks in the process. In 4 weeks when you are done, come back to the forum for the repair of the rest.

MainePorsche

View the WSM (Workshop Manuals) here http://www.2010.cannell.co.uk/manual...s_porsche.html to help with the ride height. Then come on back.
BTW you should get aluminum belly pans but that too can wait.

timbuktoo

thank you for the suggestions. I have concerns however about added height adversly affecting ride quality and the balance of the car also I dont understand how new shocks would change the ride height (it would be springs (which would have to be accompanied by longer shocks) to do that or pre-existing adjusters), and seeing as my shocks are perfectly fine for the moment I'm disinclined to purchase new ones, however I will checkout the WSM about the adjusting (although I will save that for tomorrow), seeing what low quality roads that south eastern PA has. I fear though that it would be difficult for me to put it on stands (its on front ramps right now) because our driveway is slanted

as to the skid plates/belly pans for an 86 would that have to be aftermarket or were they supposed to come with?

MainePorsche

928's came with front and rear belly pans. You can get a quality replacement from Mark Anderson at 928 International (California) or Roger Tyson at 928rus (Texas). Roger's shipping will be a little less for you.

j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net

I think bad shocks will allow longer and faster spring excursions. In a steady state, the car sits on its springs, but dynamically the shocks limit large bumps from pounding the car. I agree that ride height at stock will yield the greatest ride improvement and undercarriage protection. The belly pans mostly protect against foreign bodies and shape the air flow.
Good luck,
Dave

Lizard928

The 86 that he has does not have a belly pan. Just a front deflection shield.

Your alternator needs to be replaced/repaired. I would be interested in this unit. Or can repair it for you. PM me.

Also the upper bolt for the alternator goes into the block, please photograph this area too. In your picture showing the hole in the oil pressure sensor (needs to be replaced), this bolt hole is behind the power steering pump bracket shown.

In addition to replacing your shocks and setting the car to stock ride height, you should also replace your motor mounts. These two items combined will ensure that you do not have this occur again.

Fogey1

I knocked my alternator loose within a couple of months of getting the car. My car was way too low (~125mm front, iirc.)

If you search "Ride Height" in thread titles on this forum you'll get 118 hits.

Here are some good ones:

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...de-height.html

http://jenniskens.livedsl.nl/Technic...2/MyTip291.htm

http://www.928.org.uk/13-setting-the-ride-height.html

j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net

Hi Colin,
Isn't a front deflection shield a kind of belly pan? Either way they do not provide mechanical protection for impact on the undercarriage.
Dave

Wisconsin Joe

Are your shocks original, or have they been replaced in the last 27 years? Originals are going to be very tired.

And you wouldn't really be "adding" height, just putting it back where it belongs, which would maximize the ride quality and handling.

There are a lot of people who think the 928 looks better when it's lowered an inch or two from where it belongs. I won't argue about appearance, but it does adversely affect ride quality, handling and ground clearance.

And if your motor mounts are original, you will want to replace those too. Squashed mounts lower the engine almost an inch (I think). Combine that with dropped ride height and those lovely PA roads and you might think about stocking up on alternators and brackets if you don't do anything.

auzivision

Jeesh, just fix the alternator bracket and oil sensor and drive it. I drove my 87 slammed (1 coil cut out) for years before replacing the springs and never damaged anything but my rims and spoiler on bumps and junk. The handling was fine, with several SITM fun runs with that config.

Most of the weight rides on the springs anyways. Shocks are mainly for dampening the recoil or bouncing. Sure they have bump stops at max compression. Hopefully, you aren't hitting those. Crank up you ride height if it's too low, but then you will need to adjust the alignment as well.

If the roads our that bad, you could get a set of Carls extended skid plates. Like I said, get it fix for the season, drive it till winter... then you can sort out and prioritize other issues. That's what I would do if I were you.

jej3

Timbuktoo - we all make mistakes on our cars. The "FUN" is learning from them. Lots of good longer term advice for things you can do.

I am partial to Auzivision's advice. Fix the immediate issues so you don't end up spending the rest of your life not driving but fixing. It can be a slippery slope.

My only other advice is where 928Intl has a USED part, buy it. Their USED parts are quite good and your link to the alternator bracket was for a new one at 2x or more the cost of USED.

Good Luck and let us know how you go!

timbuktoo

@ Wisconsin Joe, thanks for explaining the difference between adding height and fixing to factory height. Having not read the manual last night I thought it would be a much more complex process, however having now read it (thanks for the links Fogey1 and MainePorsche) I will most certainly do so after I fix the alternator. as for the engine mounts I looked at them briefly and having seen new/old pics I think that mine are closer to the new so I will leave them alone. the shocks on the other hand I think are original, but I can check PO's records later and make sure, but I probably wont be able to replace them soon either way.

@Lizard928 the screw hole for the adjuster on the alternator broke off, so unfortunately it would be difficult to fix, even with a welder. but I think it does still work.

what concerns me most immediately is the alternator and belts and not the suspension.
this belt (the one in the back of the photo) looks a little off, am I right that it should not be twisted as it is?


EDIT: thanks also auzivision and jej3, thats probably what I'll do for the springs and stuff, but the ride height is easy enough that I can do it in an afternoon and be done with it. also thanks for the tip about 928intnl's used parts I had found a used bracket on them for like 90$ instead of 190$.

j.kenzie@sbcglobal.net

Definitely twisted, and also looks pretty worn. The suspension advice is really to prevent the same problem from happening again. Of course you can drive it any height you want.
Good luck,
Dave

WallyP

Ride and handling will be great at Porsche's specified ride height.

My suggestions would be to:
- Buy a used bracket and oil sensor from Mark or someone else.
- Unless the belts are really good, buy new belts.
- Check the alternator very carefully for damage.
- Do some research here for adjusting the ride height, then set the height at or near the specifications. You will then need a four-wheel alignment by someone who knows how to align a 928. If the alignment shop tells you that they have to lift the car to check it, or to set their equipment, walk away and find someone who knows how to align the car. You must do an alignment (at least toe setting) after changing ride height.