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Old 05-19-2021, 09:26 AM   #1
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Exclamation 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.

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Old 05-19-2021, 09:34 AM   #2
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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.
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Old 05-19-2021, 10:12 AM   #3
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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?
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Old 05-19-2021, 10:42 AM   #4
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I managed to do the front mount insert with my bench vice..........

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Old 05-19-2021, 04:24 PM   #5
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You need a press for the wheel bearings.
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Old 05-19-2021, 04:54 PM   #6
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Astro Pneumatic Wheel Bearing Tool Set (78825), works great, no press needed........

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Old 05-19-2021, 05:28 PM   #7
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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.

Last edited by tonythetiger; 05-19-2021 at 05:32 PM.
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Old 05-20-2021, 05:26 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tonythetiger View Post
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.
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Old 05-20-2021, 06:04 AM   #9
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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.
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Old 05-20-2021, 06:32 AM   #10
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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.
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Old 05-20-2021, 06:34 AM   #11
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Originally Posted by PLP View Post
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.

I've owned and worked on my Porsches since 1995. I still don't own a press..
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Old 05-20-2021, 07:14 AM   #12
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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.
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Old 05-20-2021, 08:17 AM   #13
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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.
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Old 05-20-2021, 09:48 PM   #14
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The first engine mount I ever replaced, I used a floor jack, some pieces of wood and one very heavy RV.
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Old 05-21-2021, 03:33 AM   #15
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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
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Old 05-21-2021, 04:15 PM   #16
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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.

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