Has anyone actually DIY chain tensioner pads? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

RawleyD · 10-07-2013, 06:52 PM

Great pics pjq!
Sure, the Box is an incredible, beautiful automobile, but it's still just that.. a car with an engine.
This car definitely doesn't need to be babied!

If things go as planned I will be in a similar position with my car this winter. It looks very doable to get in there and drop that tranny.

pjq · 10-08-2013, 03:10 AM

NewArt, both times I jacked the car to the ceiling, haaaa, the engine was already lowered. You just jack it this high to slide the engine out/in from under the car because I didn't want to remove the cross member (rear axle support).
For me removing the rear axle support might have opened another can of worms? I was just trying to keep it as simple as possible. I also didn't like the idea of losing my left to right integrity.
That being said removing the rear axle support you don't have to jack the car nearly as high and it would possibly make the process easier and quicker.

I followed the Bentley and 101 Projects books its laid out step by step and also these forums.

NewArt · 10-08-2013, 09:05 AM

Ahh, I see. Clear as beer!

Nt sure what you mean by L/R integrity. Figure the car would split open laterally?

pjq · 10-08-2013, 03:22 PM

No I don't think it would split open but may it rack/twist or spread slightly??
The bentley book shows the procedure with the support removed. 101 Projects shows the project with the support in.
I read somewhere, 101 projects website I think, that wayne recommends if you do remove the support be sure to get a four wheel alignment.
I also saw an engine installation on line where they are using a come-a-long to pull the sides back together so as to be able to install the axle support, so on that note I guess the sides must have moved some?
For me temporarily jacking the car up higher was not an issue but removing the cross member structure was an unknown that may have issues. I had a failed engine (IMSB and metal throughout the engine)but I didn't know just how extensive it was at that time, I didn't need any more unknowns.

As a side note - when i removed the exhaust sytem it come out quite easily, 1 piece. After sitting to the side for 5 months when i went to install it back in its place it wouldn't fit width wise. In that time period, 5 months, it had sprung out, approx. 1 inch. Just enough I could not get it into position. I had to use 2 ratchet straps to very slowly pull it back together then place it into position and secure it.

So if you did remove the axle support I would put it back immediately after the engine was slide out from under the car.

NewArt · 10-09-2013, 05:23 AM

Yes, you're probably right. When I removed the aluminum plate that covers the transmission and had removed the diagonal support bars in order to get it out, I had a bit of a time getting them back into place because the bolts were displaced about 1/2" within half an hour.
I have the 101 book and Amazon should be ringing my door soon with the Bentley's.
Still a couple of weeks before the snow flies here in Montreal. Figured I may attack this project in November. I'll try to gather the necessities in the meantime.

NewArt · 10-09-2013, 05:27 AM

BTW, this link shows someone using a support bar: Project NUTROD
did you use one? I guess this is for security?

ExRallyXer · 10-09-2013, 01:04 PM

One of these billet tensioner paddles might be a worthy investment since you're going to all that trouble:
FOR PORSCHE: 10610, 106 10 - READY TO SHIP - (BILLET CRANKSHAFT TO IMS CHAIN TENSIONER PADDLE BOXSTER/CAYMAN)

It takes OEM Porsche tensioner pads.

I saw a 3.6 from a 03 C4S that was in my mechanic's shop for a rebuild the other day and the tensioner paddle was snapped clean in half..