One big bolt is missing from this plate underneath, it's not a problem, is it??

[theiceman]

Originally Posted by Homeoboxter

Just re-read your post. It's certainly not just a skid plate. It's clearly a structural element. Hence the name, reinforcement plate. This is what the rear susension looks like when it's off. The back side of the suspension bracket is just hanging in the air, nothing supports it against flexing toward the middle (apart from the sway bar which is obviously not for this job).

umm if that's all you have there .. you are missing some bits.. its very thin aluminum and its not a reinforcement plate , and although i will agree it helps keep things square it doesnt prevent anything from collapsing . my car was a track car and ran without it for years.. its just a bracket . P/N 986 331 161 03 if you want to look it up .. or you can google skid plate to find it

that is a massive cross member holding it towards the front of the car in the pic and there is more bracing taken off that car .. and there is a bunch of triangular braces not on that pic you showed ..

But i will leave you to it if you think your " reinforcement plate" is at peril and your alignment is off because you are missing a bolt , better park your car..
I will leave you with these parting words from Pedro's garage . Guy has forgotten more about Boxters than most people will ever know ..

... with Marc regarding the aluminum plate.
It doesn't really do anything to "keep things where they ought to be".
That's why AX cars need the TechnoBrace or similar. The aluminum plate deforms and bends.
The keeping things where they ought to be is done by the diagonal braces.
The aluminum plate is just there for protection and for channeling air to the tranny.
If you moved the eccentric, your alignment is off.
It is practically impossible to dial it back to where it was.
Happy Boxstering,
Pedro

oh and dont get me wrong. id be pissed if guy didnt put bolts back , i wonder if it was even there to start with . When i put mine back on it was a pain in the ass to line everything up , and this is a common complaint.. guy should have done the job right .. if i got mine on on axle stands and im a home mechanic, god knows he should have.