Aluminum diagonal brace

[rick3000]

Gelbster, I have a folder in my 986 archive with all the original pictures from the 'Driving Impressions' thread. If you PM your email, I will send it over.

[Smallblock454]

Hello Gelbster,

the good idea of the Pedros / Ernie design is that you fix the head of the bolt with the bar itself. There is not much / no room to access it, if you want to mount it above.

Shure, you can also mount it below and use the parts you've mentioned. I personally would always prefer the above solution.

In general i think the products are overpriced, because they are not too complicate to fabricate.

There is also a triangular solution. Don't know how good product quality is: PORSCHE BOXSTER 986 ULTRA RACING 4-point Rear Lower Bar UR-RL4-1105

Because it seems to be jammed on the connection points, i think it's not as stable as the Pedros / Ernie design.

Regards, Markus

[Gelbster]

Originally Posted by Smallblock454

Hello Gelbster,

the good idea of the Pedros / Ernie design is that you fix the head of the bolt with the bar itself. There is not much / no room to access it, if you want to mount it above.
There is also a triangular solution. Don't know how good product quality is: PORSCHE BOXSTER 986 ULTRA RACING 4-point Rear Lower Bar UR-RL4-1105
Regards, Markus

That is a great deal at $107 ! From Malaysia !

[DWBOX2000]

Going back and forth with Woody, the car was hit on the right side right where the brace attaches next to the jacking point. Woody was able to know the mounts from my pictures weren't correct for the car. Applying magnet to sheet metal confirms bondo as well. That bolt seemed to float a bit compared to left side.
Car drove great before so goal for now is to get the brace on. I will eventually need to go to body shop and have them fix everything correctly. That's a ways away unfortunately.😢
David

[DWBOX2000]

My mechanic recommended putting a ratchet stap on the two wheels and pulling them together. Do I put the strap through the rims and torque away? How much can I torque? Suggestions?

[steved0x]

Originally Posted by DWBOX2000

My mechanic recommended putting a ratchet stap on the two wheels and pulling them together. Do I put the strap through the rims and torque away? How much can I torque? Suggestions?

Until the bolt moves Shouldn't be much.

[78F350]

Originally Posted by DWBOX2000

My mechanic recommended putting a ratchet stap on the two wheels and pulling them together. Do I put the strap through the rims and torque away? How much can I torque? Suggestions?

Your mechanic may be the best one to ask. I'd say, Just enough to move it unless it doesn't move with 'moderate' force.
Looking at the rear frame structure, the lower end of the 'side section bracket' is the part that you are going to be moving. The front part of it is bolted to the crossmember and will not move much. The aft lower part of the bracket is most likely the part that needs to be adjusted and it should move without a lot of force. With the diagonal brace and sheet metal plate off, the only thing providing stiffness to it is the connection to the stabilizer bar (through a rubber bushing).

[thstone]

Originally Posted by DWBOX2000

My mechanic recommended putting a ratchet stap on the two wheels and pulling them together. Do I put the strap through the rims and torque away? How much can I torque? Suggestions?

When I did this, I did not pull on the wheels, that would seem to place a lot of stress on a lot of components that I didn't want to stress. Instead, I put the ratchet strap on the rear suspension brackets. Also, have the wheel alignment checked when you're done.

[DWBOX2000]

Thanks guys. I was just out there (day off after 9/15 tax deadline) and decided to throw the towel in. There are too many things that could go wrong. My mechanic is going to come down next week and help me out. He was able to get it on before with straps. Bummed I didn't cross the finish line. It would have been my biggest automotive feat to date.

Thanks everyone for all your help.
David

[DWBOX2000]

That picture is very helpful 78f350. Thanks.

[DWBOX2000]

I tried the straps. First, not a good place to grab. They slide to the good area. Second, the brace twists as pressure is put on it. It does not stay flat.
Thanks for responding.
I have light and I have two large wood blocks next to me at all times so the car can't not fall on me.

[DWBOX2000]

Woody, I would love to replace everything but it just not feasible at the time. Space, tools, experience, that would surely be a recipe for disaster. I will talk to a body shop about that and will be in touch with you regarding parts.

Those 4 bolts are all that are left to do. The pan was never removed and is still in place.
I'll try the straps and see what happens.

Thanks all for your patience. I'm learning as I go. As painful as this is, I can take some satisfaction knowing that without the accident, I would be done. Considering I push a pencil all day, not a complete failure.

[DWBOX2000]

Ok, bolts are not in line. Cross member is junk. Can I do anymore damage by just putting it on the ground and leaving it there until I can pay to have it fixed? I'll have to trailer it to the shop. Ok to just put back on ground?

[DWBOX2000]

Thanks Marcus.
The car will go on a trailer, it will not be towed.

Instead of plywood, why not just get the brace on by enlarging the holes and bolting on? Not to drive, just to put on ground and eventually to trailer to shop. The chassis reinforcement pan is still on.

[DWBOX2000]

Sorry, all aligned and back on road.

With bilstein HD's and H&R lowering springs, noticeably different ride as far as stiffness and noise. I'll never know if it performs any better because I don't push the car but it certainly looks nicer in my opinion.

Glad it's over. I'm done for a while. Nice to sleep again.
David

[steved0x]

Originally Posted by DWBOX2000

Sorry, all aligned and back on road.

With bilstein HD's and H&R lowering springs, noticeably different ride as far as stiffness and noise. I'll never know if it performs any better because I don't push the car but it certainly looks nicer in my opinion.

Glad it's over. I'm done for a while. Nice to sleep again.
David

Awesome! Post up a picture and let us see how it looks!

[DWBOX2000]

I'm stumped yet again. Took picture with phone, emailed to my computer. Can't save as type needed to upload. Did it last week. Not sure what changed.

[steved0x]

Look at how much you did! You got a little help at the end, no worries Still you biggest automotive feat!

[DWBOX2000]

Or a block of wood and whack?

[Gelbster]

Desperation +Hammer+ confined space is not a good combo.
Suggest you wait for a few comments to help avert a disaster.
What happened to the ratchet strap idea?They are cheap ,safe and controllable.Harbor Freight has them, less tan $20 with your 10% off coupon:
3300 lb. Capacity 2 in. x 27 ft. Heavy Duty Ratcheting Tie Down 1 Pc
Get the free mini flashlight while you are there. It fits in your mouth (!) so you have both hands free while you are crawling around under the car like a lizard.
Take your time & be safe !