As I recall, the MD11 did not meet some range requirements when it was first flight tested. Gross weight was increased, but the FAA did not like the added stress on the nosewheel. Ground fuel shifting (the 7.5 ratio) was added into the FSC software to shift the CG back. Is this what you folks remember?
Concurrently they took off the heavy shroud around the number 2 engine and put on some gap seals on the wings. This is why the "ENG 2 A-ICE DUCT" warning can be either level 2 or level 1, depending on whether that shroud is in place on that tail number.
This is when the deflected aileron option was invented, as well.....