The Coke car is on the lift for a transmission-ectomy!

There are a number of very nice 928’s rolling around.  One of the cleanest, most unique, and most powerful 928’s resides right here in southeast Michigan.  Eric Manting is the proud owner of a 1991 928 S4 that is unlike any other 928 around.  The list of modifications are numerous and extensive, but done so well and so tastefully that most people would never notice.

​The name “Turq” comes from its very unusual and somewhat polarizing color.  Turquoise metallic is an official factory color and is one of those colors you either love or not.  I personally think it is an amazing color.

​Recently a 1986 5-speed 928 on the west cost with 34,000 miles sold on Bring a Trailer for $52,000!  That’s crazy money, or is it?  Clearly not all 928s are worth that kind of money.  There are some that are barely worth more than their scrap value.  $52,000 is almost the original sticker price for that car back in 1986, and it is a sign that 928 values are really starting to spike up.
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This is the second-second installment in my “Care and Feeding of Sharks” series.  In the last two installments I gave some general tips on the 928 timing belt system, water pump, and some of the general fluids that need to be changed.  I had planned on writing about changing transmission fluids in this installment, but life got in the way and instead, I recently found a desperate need to change the brake fluid in my track car, so that’s what I’m detailing in this installment.  Lucky you!

​On February 27 we had a 928 gathering at Munk’s motors in Waterford.  It was the Spring Sharkfest.  Chris Braden and the crew at Munk’s welcomed the 928 community to do a tech session on a subject that is a big issue on 928s.  The topic was how to remove and replace a torque tube.  Adrian Bogaerts had a donor car that was in dire need of a torque tube replacement.
 
The 928 uses a transaxle layout (engine in front and transmission at the rear wheels) and uses a driveshaft supported in a 4” diameter tube with bearings to transmit the torque from the engine to the transmission.  

​This is the second installment in my “Care and Feeding of Sharks” series.  In the last article I gave some tips on the timing belt system and the water pump.  In this article, I’ll walk you through changing fluids in the 928. 
 
There are 5 main fluids that need attention in the 928: Engine Oil, Coolant, Brakes, Power Steering, and Transmission.  It is important to check these fluids each year.  Some of them need regular service like the engine oil, others not so often, but you should check their level and condition at least once a year and maybe more often in the case of engine oil. 

​As the sharks settle in for the long winter nap, it is time to start planning the winter maintenance strategy.  Shark maintenance can be quite expensive and overwhelming if you’re not experienced.  The local Michigan 928 Owners Club is well versed in taking on many of the regular maintenance items without incurring so much of the cost.
 
In this multi-part series, I will describe some of the common tasks that are well suited for the do-it-yourselfer and some of the tips and tricks we use to help minimize the cost and often end up with a more reliable vehicle.