Slipstream - June 2019

Oversteer: Letter from the Editor
by Kurt Scaggs, Managing Editor
I’ve literally just returned from the garage after watching
a “fun repair job” spiral out of control into something less
fun. Nothing horrible happened; I didn’t make any stupid
mistakes, other than start a job on an old Porsche with
expectations that the project would remain as it started in
my head. You see friends, I’ve run headlong into something
that many of you (okay most of you) already know: the
phenomenon known as “while you are in there.” I didn’t
roll off the turnip truck yesterday. I was very familiar with
how it could happen; it just wouldn’t happen to me -- at
least not all in one evening.
I’m as guilty as the next guy (or gal). You start a project,
and then before you know it, there are parts coming from
every corner of the earth that have been more or less blessed
with spousal approval. (I like to take a blanket approach:
“I’m going to be replacing some things in the suspension,”
but there’s fine print. I mean, there is always fine print. Caveat
emptor, right? I never said it what that would entail. It’s not
my fault that “some things” wind up being most things since
it’s going to be apart anyway.) But that’s the long game; you’ve
got to plan and then find the great parts and pieces.
This was a different thing. This was a straightforward rear
shock replacement. It doesn’t get any easier, it’s literally four
bolts. How could that go wrong? Well take a seat and I’ll tell
you. You see, in order to get to those four bolts, you need to
remove the rear tires. Look at that! There are brakes under
there. I did cook the pads at that DE, so that would mean pads
and probably rotors, and I might as well replace those 35-yearold
lines. And you can’t just do the rear -- they don’t do any
work anyway. I wonder if I could get bigger calipers under here.
It doesn’t stop there, it gets worse. When I regained focus
on the task at hand, the shop light flashes the transmission.
Is that a leak? Seriously? Well, I was always planning on
changing the shift linkage and oh boy, here I go again.
Four separate instances of this. For something as simple
as replacing shocks. It’s a good thing I derive some pleasure
from doing this on my own, because if I were trying to save
money by DIY, dear Lord save me. I’d be better off leasing a
skateboard. But I love this, right? Yeah, I do kind of love it.
Stay tuned: I’m replacing spark plugs next weekend. How
could that possibly go awry? Enjoy the drive. Unless your car
is still in pieces like mine.
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