Do I need a hydraulic press?
 

Except the front engine mount, is there anything else that I might find a hydraulic 20-ton press to be useful? Or maybe 12-ton model...

I do not want to buy it because I want to have another tool, so any suggestions (either direction) are welcome.

There is always a reason to find to use a tool. Now or later, this car or the next. Tool collection should be like cars, just keep buying. lol

Check FB market, CL, letgo, etc to see if you can find a used one. A press is always nice to have.

yeah, I found a used one, 20-ton, in very good shape, for 150.
But then again... if I can use it only for the front mount, what is the point?
I will pay 20 to have someone push old one out and push the new one in.
130 in my pocket for a lot of Heineken.

suspension pieces? bearings?
IMS replacement?

I managed to do the front mount insert with my bench vice..........

-Eric
99 986
09 Cayman S

You need a press for the wheel bearings.

Astro Pneumatic Wheel Bearing Tool Set (78825), works great, no press needed........

-Eric
99 986
09 Cayman S

i did my front engine mount with a vise as well. If you need a press, go to the shop that you have built a relationship with and they help you. If you dont have that relationship, now is the time to establish it. You cannot exist without it or a fat checkbook.
said it before, say it again...mechanics are easy, straightforward folk and the right one is glad to help nice people.
seriously, every shop has a press and they are always glad to help an easy to get along enthusiast.

Found a guy local to me to assist with my front mount. He was only going to charge me $5 and I handed him a $20. He immediately said "If you need anything, just let me know and I can help out." Relationship established lol! In the grand scheme of things, $15 doesn't really matter but for me it's nice to know someone who has a nice shop nearby that can help me when I'm in a pinch.

Guys, you drifted into a wrong direction.

Yes, I completely agree - a good relationship is needed. On all my other cars I always had good relationship with the service dept. I would bring them candies, some others (the closer ones) alcohol (home made vodka), so we were great buddies.
As for a local shop - not in this area yet.

But they question I had was - how many jobs on the Boxster would require a press.
I also have Q5 with about 45k miles for now.

If I get only to use the press once - pointless to invest and take up space.
I am getting quick jacks as those will be very usefull for brake jobs or winter/seasonal wheel changes.

But the hydraulic press is a different story.
Is it really needed or it is more like - let's have another toy. Just like air nail gun I used maybe on 3 projects. :D

It is definitely a nice to have and isn't required. If you can find a shop around you that is usually better. I wouldn't look at it as something to use just on the 986 though. I look at tools a different way. If I will only use it once, I'll consider just renting one. If it is something I will most likely use again for any car then I'll just buy it if the price is right. Never know when you will need a specific tool at 10pm on a Saturday night and no one is going to be open again until Monday. The biggest issue I see with a press is just where to put it. would be great to get a tabletop one that isn't as big as the typical ones.

Quickjacks are something that if you look at using for just brake jobs will quickly grow. I have used them to pull engines, transmissions, lift my mower up to change the blades, friends borrowed to take to the track, etc. Tools are like this in many aspects.

I've owned and worked on my Porsches since 1995. I still don't own a press..

I have one at the 'office' that I have used for a couple engine mounts and wheel bearings. ...that's been an average of less than once a year. My garage space is too valuable to have one taking up space that I can use for other things. There is a local shop that I used once (before I had one available at work). He charged me $30 to press an engine mount out and in. Well worth it.

OK then.
As Yoda say would: Impulse purchase that would be.

No floor, 20-ton hydraulic press, as our 22x22 garage is too small, especially that I have a trailer, two sets of winter wheels, 8 gallon compressor, recycling bin, and lots of other stuff around.
On the top of that Q5 and either Bolt or Boxster inside.

The first engine mount I ever replaced, I used a floor jack, some pieces of wood and one very heavy RV.

Darn it. You are pushing me in a different direction now.
I need to get an RV now :D

I have been Dicking with cars for 50 + years.
I have needed a press maybe a handful of times.
Most times there is a work around.
Although I have only had it a few year the thing I use and like the most is my scissor lift.
Even waxing the Porsche... gets it up where I can see and I can sit on a stool while working.