Discussion
Just got home after a long weekend taking in the Pistonheads 25th Birthday celebrations at Bicester Heritage on Saturday and (in theory!) the Boxengasse Porsche event on Sunday.
The Pistonheads event was well managed, organised and very well put together, so much variety in both the displays and the car parks.
Boxengasse may well have had some awesome cars there, but after over an hour sat stationary in lane with 3 miles still to go to the gate we abandoned it. Life is too short. If the venue isn't big enough for the cars you invite then scale it back or change venues. Not impressed!
Anyway, back to the decent event
My car was in the readers car section and we were all inside the hanger, useful when it threw it down half way through the day! Lots of great groups were displayed around the site, hot hatches, saloons, supercars etc. Nothing was duplicated which was great, other than 2 burgundy Porsche 959s!
And the biggest surprise was my car winning a little award, totally unexpected but much appreciated as my car isn't a 'show' car, it's just my car
The Pistonheads event was well managed, organised and very well put together, so much variety in both the displays and the car parks.
Boxengasse may well have had some awesome cars there, but after over an hour sat stationary in lane with 3 miles still to go to the gate we abandoned it. Life is too short. If the venue isn't big enough for the cars you invite then scale it back or change venues. Not impressed!
Anyway, back to the decent event
My car was in the readers car section and we were all inside the hanger, useful when it threw it down half way through the day! Lots of great groups were displayed around the site, hot hatches, saloons, supercars etc. Nothing was duplicated which was great, other than 2 burgundy Porsche 959s!
And the biggest surprise was my car winning a little award, totally unexpected but much appreciated as my car isn't a 'show' car, it's just my car
Boring update! Nothing much to report since August, but I finally grabbed the chance for a drive out to Wales with my son in his S2000.
Never mind endless 20mph limits, the Horseshoe pass is now a 40… still looks great though!
No drama for me, but his exhaust half fell off It was loud enough before
Some minor winter jobs need doing, service items and a handbrake rebuild, but other than that just using it
Never mind endless 20mph limits, the Horseshoe pass is now a 40… still looks great though!
No drama for me, but his exhaust half fell off
It was loud enough before Some minor winter jobs need doing, service items and a handbrake rebuild, but other than that just using it
TR4man said:
Your son’s S2000 looks to be worthy of it’s own thread.
It’s does, he just leaves 18 month gaps posting in it https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Short update!
Over enthusiastic use of salt by our local council stopped play in November, I wouldn’t normally be put off driving but after the hours I’ve got in the bodyshell of this thing I’m going to look after it a bit better this time.
Grabbed the last sunny afternoon before the salt to give it a thorough rinse and blow dry before parking it up over Xmas until last weekend.
The first Cars & Coffee of the year had a great and varied turn out. Took the very long way home as it never ceases to make me smile this car.
I didn’t join the Porsche parking
My friends 944 with his newly rebuilt engine and immaculately painted shell with some bespoke body lines and rear end mods that are so subtle they look stock but really tidy it up.
Evening drive with some work cars making even Crewe look good in the sunset
Still need to do the winter jobs I’ve not done, new handbrake shoes etc and a service would be good!
Over enthusiastic use of salt by our local council stopped play in November, I wouldn’t normally be put off driving but after the hours I’ve got in the bodyshell of this thing I’m going to look after it a bit better this time.
Grabbed the last sunny afternoon before the salt to give it a thorough rinse and blow dry before parking it up over Xmas until last weekend.
The first Cars & Coffee of the year had a great and varied turn out. Took the very long way home as it never ceases to make me smile this car.
I didn’t join the Porsche parking
My friends 944 with his newly rebuilt engine and immaculately painted shell with some bespoke body lines and rear end mods that are so subtle they look stock but really tidy it up.
Evening drive with some work cars making even Crewe look good in the sunset
Still need to do the winter jobs I’ve not done, new handbrake shoes etc and a service would be good!
Percy. said:
Saw your car posted quite alot on the Facebook group!
I didn't managed to get over this time
We are in the process of purchasing a new house, which is alot closer to The Old Piggery so will be alot easier to get down there
Sounds good, not sure when the next one is, probably 3rd March if the weather isn’t miserable. I didn't managed to get over this time
We are in the process of purchasing a new house, which is alot closer to The Old Piggery so will be alot easier to get down there
So with only a few weeks to go before another massive Euro road trip across some mountains I can’t put those winter jobs off any longer. Particularly as it’s officially summer time
Relative to some on the trip I’ve got the easy prep! Engine is staying in…
Job list:
- Look at points and decide they are still there and ‘ain’t broke don’t fix it’
- Valve clearances? They have some clearance so they will be fine
- Clean plugs - Actually did this one
- Oil change
- New handbrake shoes, hardware etc - Still work in progress, but I’ve done one side
Other than that I might clean the idle jets and top up the washer fluid
Can’t wait to get back out there on a long run. Done a few local things, but it’s not the same.
OE filter where the Porsche logo points the wrong way when tightened up. Boo.
Fiendish handbrake parts putting up a fight. Only need 10 pairs of hands, like trying to set 5 mousetraps at the same time. Ones that were on there may well have been original. I’ve not replaced them in the 22 years I’ve had the car and they looked old when I got it!
On the way back from the Alps last time they made a horrible noise at the last services on the M6 which then suddenly went away again. It seems the spring that sits between the two expanders on this side had rusted and collapsed, meaning things weren’t quite tensioned as they should be. Guess something went off centre as there is signs of contact between the springs that hold the shoes on and the drum. Probably enough for the horrible noise.
Typical garage scenes.
Relative to some on the trip I’ve got the easy prep! Engine is staying in…
Job list:
- Look at points and decide they are still there and ‘ain’t broke don’t fix it’
- Valve clearances? They have some clearance so they will be fine
- Clean plugs - Actually did this one
- Oil change
- New handbrake shoes, hardware etc - Still work in progress, but I’ve done one side
Other than that I might clean the idle jets and top up the washer fluid
Can’t wait to get back out there on a long run. Done a few local things, but it’s not the same.
OE filter where the Porsche logo points the wrong way when tightened up. Boo.
Fiendish handbrake parts putting up a fight. Only need 10 pairs of hands, like trying to set 5 mousetraps at the same time. Ones that were on there may well have been original. I’ve not replaced them in the 22 years I’ve had the car and they looked old when I got it!
On the way back from the Alps last time they made a horrible noise at the last services on the M6 which then suddenly went away again. It seems the spring that sits between the two expanders on this side had rusted and collapsed, meaning things weren’t quite tensioned as they should be. Guess something went off centre as there is signs of contact between the springs that hold the shoes on and the drum. Probably enough for the horrible noise.
Typical garage scenes.
In another exciting update I got to test drive my new custom Alcantara cushions (thanks to my mums sewing skills) to help my elderly back.
and topped up the gearbox oil, before the big Euro run. I know it shouldn’t go down, but after a good few thousand miles since the rebuild it needed about 250ml.
Think I’m ready to roll now Even checked the tyre pressures…. Pyrenees hear we come!
and topped up the gearbox oil, before the big Euro run. I know it shouldn’t go down, but after a good few thousand miles since the rebuild it needed about 250ml.
Think I’m ready to roll now
Even checked the tyre pressures…. Pyrenees hear we come!gf15 said:
Great buzz before the trip. Look forward to the pictures.
Enjoy.
Getting close now Enjoy.
Big drive through France from St Malo, then 6 days around the Pyrenees then slog back home! Doing an overnight ferry this time to balance the driving / hotels / time equation. Still got a 4hr drive to Portsmouth though…
I’ll pop up so photos from the Euro drive once I’ve done some editing, but my own journey was cut short by a loud mechanical clicking noise when you turn right.
I’d made it all the way down to the Pyrenees and had a wonderful couple of days in the mountains, but after some ‘spirited’ driving keeping the moderns honest the ticking started and got inside my head! I’d tried to check anything obvious in the hotel carpark, lose driveshaft bolts, a catching handbrake etc, but to no avail.
After another day of nursing it I decided to quit whilst I was ahead and drove in the straightest possible line home.
My prime suspect is the diff, so now I’m home and after checking the handbrake mechanisms, and every bolt I can find I pulled it out.
A somewhat hairy gearbox drain plug…
Another ‘bits of your car you’d rather not see’ pic!
I’d made it all the way down to the Pyrenees and had a wonderful couple of days in the mountains, but after some ‘spirited’ driving keeping the moderns honest the ticking started and got inside my head! I’d tried to check anything obvious in the hotel carpark, lose driveshaft bolts, a catching handbrake etc, but to no avail.
After another day of nursing it I decided to quit whilst I was ahead and drove in the straightest possible line home.
My prime suspect is the diff, so now I’m home and after checking the handbrake mechanisms, and every bolt I can find I pulled it out.
A somewhat hairy gearbox drain plug…
Another ‘bits of your car you’d rather not see’ pic!
So in detail there is some evidence of surface damage on the sun/planet gears, but that could have been there for years, certainly not one tooth only with a bit missing or anything.
One bigger issue, although I struggle to link it to a ‘click’, is that the LH diff bearing (the one in the cover) has spun on the shaft to the point it came straight off by hand when it should be a tight driving fit.
I’ve also checked the preload this afternoon and it’s next to zero in that the diff only just stops moving as the cover seats down, it should be zero with the cover still some 0.3mm (or more) off fitted. Backlash is also excessive, so some work with shims needed here.
As part of the investigation I stripped and regreased all the CV joints (fun!)
Nothing of note except some minor contact between the end of the shaft and the grease cap on the outboard end. So I added a little more clearance. These caps are later parts that don’t quite fit into the outer stub axles so have been adjusted already. They’ve been there years though so nothing’s changed.
I’ve ordered a new diff bearing, some er ‘bearing glue’ and a load of oil (it will be coming apart again for sure!) and I’ll get a selection of shims so I can get some preload.
Other than that I’m going to put it back together and see if the noise has gone.
It’s unlikely so I’ll then need to go deeper which will probably involve a new Quaife diff…
Got to go through this process though…
Nothing of note except some minor contact between the end of the shaft and the grease cap on the outboard end. So I added a little more clearance. These caps are later parts that don’t quite fit into the outer stub axles so have been adjusted already. They’ve been there years though so nothing’s changed.
I’ve ordered a new diff bearing, some er ‘bearing glue’ and a load of oil (it will be coming apart again for sure!) and I’ll get a selection of shims so I can get some preload.
Other than that I’m going to put it back together and see if the noise has gone.
It’s unlikely so I’ll then need to go deeper which will probably involve a new Quaife diff…
Got to go through this process though…
jamesson said:
I had a similar clicking noise on my 1984 Carrera 3.2 and it turned out to be the CV joint (I forget which side). A new one cured it completely.
I didn't have the skills or the kit to find it myself, unlike you!
Let’s hope a CV clean up will fix it! I’ve found a few issues so this teardown is still worth it. I didn't have the skills or the kit to find it myself, unlike you!
As ever I’ll be changing two things at once (CV rebuild and new diff bearing) so if the noise goes away I won’t know which one it was!
So ignoring the mechanical trauma for now and reflecting back on the actual trip!
As ever it was all arranged by a friend who I’ve known for years through DDK, our disparate group of early Porsche fans that don’t abide any normal club conventions and all the better for it.
Many of the group (10 cars, 12 people) took the 2 day Portsmouth/Santander ferry, I choose the Portsmouth- St Malo route mainly as I hate ferries!
Going out at least this means you turn up in the evening, watch the sunset then wake up in France at 8 having cut out a good chunk of miles (compared to the tunnel) and a night in a hotel. Secondary advantage is not having to lap the M25 as I come down from the North West
We pressed on that day down to just outside Bilbau, a solid 9.5 hours drive. 8.5 of which was melting hot and the last 1hr of which was torrential rain!
1st fuel stop of many:
We met up with the 964 RS boys (who did the Caen ferry) on route somewhere in France and cruised together for a few hours before they realised they probably should book a hotel…
Arriving at our (booked!) hotel outside Bilbau was a bit damp, but a really great place
When near Bilbau the following morning it was rude not to try and grab a quick landmark pic!
This hotel was a parador, cost no more than a premier inn!
Stunning hotel from an architecture and facility perspective with honestly the worst food and restaurant service I’ve ever had! Let’s hope it’s just off season or something!
Next we head to the mountains
As ever it was all arranged by a friend who I’ve known for years through DDK, our disparate group of early Porsche fans that don’t abide any normal club conventions and all the better for it.
Many of the group (10 cars, 12 people) took the 2 day Portsmouth/Santander ferry, I choose the Portsmouth- St Malo route mainly as I hate ferries!
Going out at least this means you turn up in the evening, watch the sunset then wake up in France at 8 having cut out a good chunk of miles (compared to the tunnel) and a night in a hotel. Secondary advantage is not having to lap the M25 as I come down from the North West
We pressed on that day down to just outside Bilbau, a solid 9.5 hours drive. 8.5 of which was melting hot and the last 1hr of which was torrential rain!
1st fuel stop of many:
We met up with the 964 RS boys (who did the Caen ferry) on route somewhere in France and cruised together for a few hours before they realised they probably should book a hotel…
Arriving at our (booked!) hotel outside Bilbau was a bit damp, but a really great place
When near Bilbau the following morning it was rude not to try and grab a quick landmark pic!
This hotel was a parador, cost no more than a premier inn!
Stunning hotel from an architecture and facility perspective with honestly the worst food and restaurant service I’ve ever had! Let’s hope it’s just off season or something!
Next we head to the mountains
The next morning we pushed on through the mountains with some incredible roads. I was doing my best to keep all the other cars honest, but at some point something under the car cried enough. After an extended period of denial ‘a stone in the tyre’ I finally eased off and stopped at the top of a pass to check nothing was about to fall off.
Nothing was to be found on a roadside check and I wasn’t ready to give up (just!) yet… and the roads were just amazing, so I just reduced the pace. To be honest I could do with a physical rest by this point as it’s hard work on the arms!
Some pics from the morning:
We stopped in an almond grove for an err… ‘natural break’ and I got the proper camera out as the light was excellent
The lunch stop again was another photo op, we needed to rest after the 5000 calorie snack of three courses for €15…
A quick look at the map freaked us all out how far we had come!
After lunch we pushed on to the next hotel where I continued to explore the clicking noise which was getting worse with no obvious explanation.
This was my note to bring a proper jack of some form as this is unstable junk!
Nothing was to be found on a roadside check and I wasn’t ready to give up (just!) yet… and the roads were just amazing, so I just reduced the pace. To be honest I could do with a physical rest by this point as it’s hard work on the arms!
Some pics from the morning:
We stopped in an almond grove for an err… ‘natural break’ and I got the proper camera out as the light was excellent
The lunch stop again was another photo op, we needed to rest after the 5000 calorie snack of three courses for €15…
A quick look at the map freaked us all out how far we had come!
After lunch we pushed on to the next hotel where I continued to explore the clicking noise which was getting worse with no obvious explanation.
This was my note to bring a proper jack of some form as this is unstable junk!
I decided to do another day and run up to Andorra as I needed to head back that way anyway and needed a few more miles!
The drive up to Andorra was definitely better than the destination, but still we got to tick another country off the list
The weather went south as we climbed and then the rain hitting the screen had that ‘thick’ look about it which turned quickly to snow
Some benchmark Andorran architecture, I was expecting Alpine ski resort vibes but more like the Benidorm of the mountains as some of us described it.
Big shout out to Adam in his 964 RS who took on the role of shepherd at the back of the pack whilst I nursed the car up the passes.
Things starting to get a bit more interesting…
To all those ‘Never driven in rain’ people…
Ah well they are missing out!
Eventually the weather cleared for some wonderful open roads where I just ignored the noises and decided if it was going to break it would go out in a blaze of glory!
Ian enjoying the climb into the clouds for the group shot.
That evening I made the call to quit whilst I was ahead and drive in the straightest possible line home. Still quite the journey when you are just outside Andorra!
Really sorry to miss the rest of the trip, but I wasn’t enjoying the drive as much as I should with that ticking deep inside my head and the knowledge I still had the little matter of an 800mile drive home
Awesome adventure and home safe eventually!
As per previous post gearbox is now in bits with a spun outer diff bearing. A new part has arrived now so I’ll fit that at some point and see how things go.
My optimism on that only stretches so far. Let’s put it this way I bought 10 litres of gearbox oil as I’m expecting it to come apart at least once more!
The drive up to Andorra was definitely better than the destination, but still we got to tick another country off the list
The weather went south as we climbed and then the rain hitting the screen had that ‘thick’ look about it which turned quickly to snow
Some benchmark Andorran architecture, I was expecting Alpine ski resort vibes but more like the Benidorm of the mountains as some of us described it.
Big shout out to Adam in his 964 RS who took on the role of shepherd at the back of the pack whilst I nursed the car up the passes.
Things starting to get a bit more interesting…
To all those ‘Never driven in rain’ people…
Ah well they are missing out!
Eventually the weather cleared for some wonderful open roads where I just ignored the noises and decided if it was going to break it would go out in a blaze of glory!
Ian enjoying the climb into the clouds for the group shot.
That evening I made the call to quit whilst I was ahead and drive in the straightest possible line home. Still quite the journey when you are just outside Andorra!
Really sorry to miss the rest of the trip, but I wasn’t enjoying the drive as much as I should with that ticking deep inside my head and the knowledge I still had the little matter of an 800mile drive home
Awesome adventure and home safe eventually!
As per previous post gearbox is now in bits with a spun outer diff bearing. A new part has arrived now so I’ll fit that at some point and see how things go.
My optimism on that only stretches so far. Let’s put it this way I bought 10 litres of gearbox oil as I’m expecting it to come apart at least once more!
NomadicTurbo said:
Looks like a great trip!
What's the deal with the Cayman GT4 in the group? Looks like the odd one out
That’s the spare car What's the deal with the Cayman GT4 in the group? Looks like the odd one out
Despite long evenings on the run up to the event his best efforts pulling his engine out and rebuilding half of the injection system on his backdated 3.2 it wouldn’t run right so had to bring the GT4. First world problems and all It’s fair to say he was gutted and missed his 3.2. It may not be as capable but it really requires driving hence is more of an experience.
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