A Few Questions

[2000SoCalBoxsterS]

From your pictures I can tell you with no doubt that your car is messed up. It was either in a serious accident or a major A-hole did work on that car.

That Triangular plate under the rear is an integral component of your rear suspension and acts to add rigidity to the rear of the car. It is not supposed to be bent around the sway bar. It does have a long channel opening for the sway bar to fit into and show through a little bit. The car must never be driven without this plate or with a damaged plate.

[rick3000]

I already did, look a few post down.

[2000SoCalBoxsterS]

In the photos it looks like the plate is welded to that rear support brace. Is that true? The plate is supposed to be flat and attaches under the car by several stud bolts that come down from the bottom of the car into the plate and then nuts are screwed on and also by several bolts that screw up into the underside of the car. I just removed and replaced this plate on my friends '99 Boxster when we needed access to his auto trans to replace a defective switch. On your car it is just put on all wrong.

[2000SoCalBoxsterS]

My Boxster S has traction control and I drive with it turned off most of the time for better performance off the line when I'm "hot-dogging" around town. The traction control will kick-in on fast acceleration to limit torque to the rear wheels. It's more fun to get a little wheel spin and faster off-the-line performance. I wouldn't bother adding it if I were you. Just slow it down in the rain and snow. I started driving in 1974 and my first car was a '73 Javelin with a 360 CID V8, and here in the northeast we get plenty of rain and snow and I never needed no stinking Traction control! We actually knew how to drive back in those days. Luke, turn off the computer and use the Force.

[Cloudsurfer]

That definitly looks to be damage, likely I'm guessing from running over a curb or debris. Get it looked at ASAP.

Now a question on ABS, are you saying my 02 S without PSM only has 3 channel ABS?

Patrick

[rick3000]

Thanks, I appreciate the help, obviously the guy at Porsche doesn't know his stuff, because he was wrong. I will take it in and hopefully the warranty will cover it, it wasn't me and since it does affect the rigidy if the car they should take care of it. If the warranty people are jerks, can I replace it myself. Any ideas on cost?

The carfax I got with the car never mentioned an accident. So is it lying and I should be worried about anything else being wrong, or did the previous owner just drive over something? Any ideas?

Thanks!

[Brucelee]

A couple of points.

Please take your Porsche to a dealer service bay and see what is up with the underside, it is clearly in need of some professional attention. I would do it today.

Then, if the car has been severely damaged, ask you lawyer what you might be able to sue your mechanic for. I have a feeling the repair bill on this one COULD be very high indeed.

Good luck and keep us posted.

[rick3000]

I edited my last post please check it out, and I will keep you guys posted. I may be able to go by Porsche tomorrow.

[insite]

SoCal's right; that shear plate is actually a stressed member. it looks like someone backed over something and bent the cradle back, folding the shear plate in the process. get it fixed ASAP. probably just need a new cradle and a new shear plate. you can pick them up from a used boxster and have them installed fairly cheaply.

as for your question about adding traction control: the non T/C cars only have three channel ABS (two front, one rear). the T/C cars have four channel ABS so they can modulate each rear wheel individually. while theoretically possible, you'd have to switch out your ABS unit and plumb a dedicated brake channel to each rear. this is cost prohibitive.