Engine tilted.

[78F350]

The driver side of the muffler is two inches lower than the passenger. The cat pipe appears to be resting on the sway bar.

Post a couple pic if you can. I've seen some neglected Boxsters, but I don't think I've come across that issue yet. A transmission mount would have to completely come apart to drop the engine 2" on one side. Other than that, one of the side brackets in the rear suspension could be cracked. They are a weak point. Sure it's not just an exhaust problem?

[pilot4fn]

Originally Posted by 78F350

...one of the side brackets in the rear suspension could be cracked. They are a weak point.

Which is this bracket? I'd like to check this out from my car, but have not been aware of this weakness issue so far - planning some tracking this summer, but want to check this out before track day.

[78F350]

Originally Posted by pilot4fn

Which is this bracket? I'd like to check this out from my car, but have not been aware of this weakness issue so far - planning some tracking this summer, but want to check this out before track day.

The earlier years are weaker. I think 1999 is when they upgraded the casting. #3 in this diagram:


Tom Stone's:


My DIY a few years back for a lesser crack (With Torques):
Replacing the rear suspension bracket

[jaykay]

Just shooting from the hip.....but can you have a look at the transmission mounts as well as the front engine mount? If the car is level and the muffler mounts are all intact then I would logically look to the next set mounts governing the muffler position which are engine and transmission

[Emerald]

Thanks for the feedback! Here's a picture. Looking forward to you're all sage advice, options, and speculation.

pictures

[jaykay]

Originally Posted by Emerald

Thanks for the feedback! Here's a picture. Looking forward to you're all sage advice, options, and speculation.

pictures

Wow that is a serious droop. Something in the exhaust muffler mount up top must have gone as well. You should be able to see a problem right where the muffler mounts the back to the back of the trans.

I would not drive the car obviously.

[Emerald]

Went under with a friend and carefully examined best we could without seeing anything suspicious. I jacked the drooping pipe and no sound indicating a broken bracket. Called Bill at Pelican and he thinks it’s probably a transmission mount as some of you thought so as well. If the engine etc is only suspended by two trans mounts and one engine mount seems to reason it must be the trans mount on one side. Please correct me if I’m wrong. That being said I’m ready to pull the trigger on a new one(s). Since I do drive hard on bumpy roads both would seem to make sense. Any opinions or experience about the reinforced type ... somewhere between the Wevo and OEM? Any brand of mount recommendations? Maybe anything but OEM would be too stiff for my roads?

[Gilles]

sorry just re read your original post and noticed that you mentioned that the cat is resting on the sway bar, most likely it's due to a worn (or broken) mount...

Have you tried to jack up the engine (with a wooden block) to it's original position?

[pilot4fn]

Originally Posted by 78F350

The earlier years are weaker. I think 1999 is when they upgraded the casting. #3 in this diagram:

Great to know, thanks!
My car is 2001, so it should be with upgraded version then. Anyhow, I'll take a look at this when I go under the car in a week or two:dance:

[truegearhead]

It’s probably the transmission mounts. This is very common on 996’s. The 996 has the same transmission mounts but uses them as engine mounts. When they fail the engine will sag two inches. I recommend installing semi-solid mounts

[truegearhead]

It’s also possible that the U shaped exhaust pipes have slipped and only the exhaust is tilted.

[jaykay]

Originally Posted by truegearhead

It’s probably the transmission mounts. This is very common on 996’s. The 996 has the same transmission mounts but uses them as engine mounts. When they fail the engine will sag two inches. I recommend installing semi-solid mounts

Just as an aside....has anyone been able to change out transmission mounts without dropping the mid pipes. I would have a look but I can't put my car up just now. I plan to change out my mounts on jack stands if possible. I don't want to distrupt any braces such that I need to do a realignment....there is no place to get a set up done at present. Perhaps it is best left till later.