Stabilizer Factory Defect?

Bluemach1 · 09-16-2009, 05:50 PM

1986 944 Turbo.

I posted earlier this week about an issue with my stabilizer connector breaking the frame.

Well, I went to the junk yard and had a section cut from another 1986 944 Turbo so that I could work on my patch without screwing up my car.

Upon cleaning and inspecting I see that the junk yard part already has a factory bolster welded in!

Here is the junk yard part compared to my car (note the hole is where it used to connect and the other is my driver side that is still intact note no welds):
Stabilizer 059.jpg
Stabilizer 057.jpg
Stabilizer 007.jpg
Stabilizer 054.jpg

You can see that my car is just the frame with no additional bolster. Is this a factory defect on my car? Should it have had the factory part as shown on the junk yard piece? Can anyone verify that thier 1986 does or does not have this bolster welded in?

Any chance that Porsche would take responsibility after all these years?

PorscheDoc · 09-16-2009, 06:18 PM

Or has the junkyard piece already been repaired previously.......

Keithr726 · 09-16-2009, 06:21 PM

Probably just teaked as the year progressed, what is the build date on your car? Mines 7/85 and I can't remember if it has that or not. Right now would be a good time for you to get the reinforcement brace.

http://www.paragon-products.com/KLA_..._swaybrace.htm

Bluemach1 · 09-16-2009, 06:26 PM

I dont think that it was previously repaired. I can put my hand down in the frame and it is smooth like new. Also, externally, it looks very clean and the paint looks consistant.

Bluemach1 · 09-16-2009, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keithr726

Probably just teaked as the year progressed, what is the build date on your car? Mines 7/85 and I can't remember if it has that or not. Right now would be a good time for you to get the reinforcement brace.

http://www.paragon-products.com/KLA_..._swaybrace.htm

I'll need to chech the build date tonight. I know for sure that it was 1985. Maybe around the same vintage as yours.

I will come up with a fix for the immediate problem that will include the brace. I am thinking that I might forgo welding and make a steel plate...

Still wondering if Porsche would take any responsibility for this. I know, a veeeery long shot....

Bluemach1 · 09-16-2009, 06:38 PM

My proudction sequence number is 834. Pretty low. 7513 were built?

Bluemach1 · 09-20-2009, 01:11 PM

Here are some pictures to my prototype. It is 0.134" cold rolled steel. I need to adjust one hole and do some contouring for a better fit but you can see that it should work nicely. Once it is dialed in, I will get it powder coated. This one is for the passenger side. I already have the templet for the drivers side but just have to punch the holes.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3378613/3

Rennmetal makes a very nice bracket that runs from the crossmember mounting point to the bottem of the stabilizer that will really help beef this thing up. I will just buy from him, no need to reinvent the wheel.

Ted

bigdeano · 09-22-2009, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keithr726

Probably just teaked as the year progressed, what is the build date on your car? Mines 7/85 and I can't remember if it has that or not. Right now would be a good time for you to get the reinforcement brace.

http://www.paragon-products.com/KLA_..._swaybrace.htm

Any pics of how those bolt up?

Bluemach1 · 09-22-2009, 02:08 AM

I can capture some when I get the final version in. But it is very straight forward. There are two bolts where a tie down bracket provision is toward the front of the rail. Then there are the two bolts that hold the stabilizer connector and finally one of the cross member bolts.

it is very simple.

Bluemach1 · 09-22-2009, 02:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdeano

Any pics of how those bolt up?

The other bracket can be bought from Rennenmetal. Here is a link to thier site and there is a PDF with installation instructions.

http://www.rennenmetal.com/proddetail.asp?prod=5150

Ted

09-16-2009, 05:50 PM	#1
Bluemach1 Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Cameron Park, CA Posts: 70	Stabilizer Factory Defect? 1986 944 Turbo. I posted earlier this week about an issue with my stabilizer connector breaking the frame. Well, I went to the junk yard and had a section cut from another 1986 944 Turbo so that I could work on my patch without screwing up my car. Upon cleaning and inspecting I see that the junk yard part already has a factory bolster welded in! Here is the junk yard part compared to my car (note the hole is where it used to connect and the other is my driver side that is still intact note no welds): Stabilizer 059.jpg Stabilizer 057.jpg Stabilizer 007.jpg Stabilizer 054.jpg You can see that my car is just the frame with no additional bolster. Is this a factory defect on my car? Should it have had the factory part as shown on the junk yard piece? Can anyone verify that thier 1986 does or does not have this bolster welded in? Any chance that Porsche would take responsibility after all these years?

09-16-2009, 06:18 PM	#2
PorscheDoc Addict Rennlist Member Rennlist Site Sponsor Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Under Your Car Posts: 6,234	Or has the junkyard piece already been repaired previously....... __________________ Doc Wilen PCA Instructor 86 951 02 2500HD 00 JGC My P-car blog: DocWilenRacing

09-16-2009, 06:21 PM	#3
Keithr726 Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Napa Valley, Sea Ranch, San Diego, CA Posts: 4,920	Probably just teaked as the year progressed, what is the build date on your car? Mines 7/85 and I can't remember if it has that or not. Right now would be a good time for you to get the reinforcement brace. http://www.paragon-products.com/KLA_..._swaybrace.htm __________________ Keith R. PCA Zone 7 1986 Porsche 951 2004 Audi A6 2.7T 122.2hp/Liter Looking for that perfect laguna or dark blue e46 M3 with comp. package My Rennlist Gallery Newbies watch this->http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9q2jNjOPdk

09-16-2009, 06:26 PM	#4
Bluemach1 Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Cameron Park, CA Posts: 70	I dont think that it was previously repaired. I can put my hand down in the frame and it is smooth like new. Also, externally, it looks very clean and the paint looks consistant.

09-16-2009, 06:38 PM	#6
Bluemach1 Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Cameron Park, CA Posts: 70	My proudction sequence number is 834. Pretty low. 7513 were built?

09-20-2009, 01:11 PM	#7
Bluemach1 Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Cameron Park, CA Posts: 70	Here are some pictures to my prototype. It is 0.134" cold rolled steel. I need to adjust one hole and do some contouring for a better fit but you can see that it should work nicely. Once it is dialed in, I will get it powder coated. This one is for the passenger side. I already have the templet for the drivers side but just have to punch the holes. http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3378613/3 Rennmetal makes a very nice bracket that runs from the crossmember mounting point to the bottem of the stabilizer that will really help beef this thing up. I will just buy from him, no need to reinvent the wheel. Ted

09-22-2009, 02:08 AM	#9
Bluemach1 Addict Rennlist Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Cameron Park, CA Posts: 70	I can capture some when I get the final version in. But it is very straight forward. There are two bolts where a tie down bracket provision is toward the front of the rail. Then there are the two bolts that hold the stabilizer connector and finally one of the cross member bolts. it is very simple.