[EPIQTodd]

Travis and I did a brake pad install today - Pagid oranges - on my 987S. My first time doing it, so he was kind enough to show me the ropes - it's quite easy. Anyone who pays a dealer to do it really should see just how easy it is. For me, it makes all the sense in the world to do it myself because I'm changing wheels for the track all the time, so the wheels have to come off either way, might as well put some track pads in.

Anyway, I just picked up the car from the dealer today because of the 2 week long debacle with my power steering. Everything felt fine, so I assumed it was. When I went to take the wheels off, I saw a rather significant problem, one that highlights dealer incompetence in a whole new light.

The front wheels were NOWHERE NEAR 96 ft/lbs of torque on the bolts - 50 ft/lbs max, and BOTH my lock nuts were not even HAND TIGHT but actually free turning! I drove 40 miles on the freeway with these wheels! The rear wheels were about the same, not requiring any form of breaker bar but allowing just about hand loosening by just holding the socket in your hand and turning! How can you miss something so elementally basic to a Porsche??? How can they not have checks for stuff like this? The next time, I guarantee you I will bring my torque wrench and check it right on the spot, yelling at any service person in the general area, spouting off how incompetent they could be for something so basic, putting all those drivers at substantial risk. What would have happened had I not had to change my wheels? How many others are driving around with the trust that their licensed Porsche dealer has the basic competence to tighten wheels on a car???

PCNA will hear from me, but of course they won't care, and I guarantee I will be raising Cain at the dealership tomorrow. It's Hoehn Porsche, for those who want to avoid the same situation. If you do go there, take your torque wrench.