[928uk] RE: Steering geometry and tracking

[Clyde Lennon]

I picked up my car from Dr Anderson's place yesterday after leaving it with
him for a thorough re-commissioning including replacement of whatever was
old and tired or just plain knackered.  I was expecting a complete
suspension overhaul, as my car was jittery, felt like the shocks were kaput
and the steering pulled to the left and feedback was more likely to rip a
knuckle joint from a single hand if you hit a bump mid corner.  After
considerable expense and effort, my car now steers, handles and rides pretty
much how I remember a new one felt back in 1988.  Paul agrees it is about
what one would expect a good car to behave.  I think he used the word
"transformed" over the phone.

No changes in parts for any of the suspension but resetting of tracking and
geometry made all the difference.   All else was within factory tolerance
after 16 years and 125k miles.  A pretty cheap fix compared to all other
potential remedies.  New Behr radiator, timing belt, water pump, etc, plus
numerous personal requirements like releasing the stuck passenger's seat
from aft position, so I can fit my eldest behind, were some of the many
items Paul persisted and painstakingly cured.   New rear wheel bearings have
cured the rumble at 40-70mph, which becomes a whine at higher speeds.   The
auto box changes are much smoother as well, again feeling like new.   I have
invested considerable funds into my car and now expect to keep it near
pristine condition for my tenure, which could be for a very long time.  Just
have to wait a while for my crappy Avon tyres to wear so I can swap for the
TOYO Proxes T1s I have chosen as replacements.  Some Zymol wax and polish
(hard work!) and eventually correction to a few small dents and it will look
new.   Car owes me around 16k after 4.5 years including all maintenance and
repairs and after Paul's valiant efforts, it has never been better.  The car
is too good to scrimp too much.  I think that these cars will begin to creep
in value, especially as Porsche begins releasing more V8 branded packages
between the 911 and Cayenne.  The "Real Thing" remains the ultimate attempt
by Porsche to outdo the competition and the venerable 911, something which
will not be repeated I suspect, as they pigeon hole a brand awareness unit
somewhere in the ?60-85k bracket, probably much software and more 4-people
oriented than the 928 was ever designed to address.  Sadly the serious 928
driver might well be disappointed with the "retro V8 Porsche" that is likely
to appear by 2006.

Can anyone point me in the direction of instructions for refurbishing the
original forged alloys ("flats").  I think it's worth doing something
myself, apart from running the vacuum cleaner across the carpet.