The TT body is fixed but the wheel carriers on the front were missing the pucks on the underside of the tire rod connections. This means the tie rods didn't fit correctly and were just stuck in there and tightened down. That appears to be what caused it to break and send me for a ride. I'm going to be tearing down and inspecting the suspension from the sub-frame down and refreshing anything questionable before taking it back on the track.
I had a tie rod (OEM one) fail exactly the same way, only, fortunately, I was moving about 5 mph and hit a massive pothole. For what it's worth, the bushing on the wheel carrier on mine was missing too, figured the jar of the bolt snapping knocked it out. I found the end of the tie rod lying at the curb but never found the bushing. I don't think it would be possible to install the tie rod with that bushing not there. There is nothing to tighten against, as the taper on the tie rod end fits into the taper in the bushing and that is what you tighten against.
It actually will tighten down but it's awkward. No way to do it without knowing there is an issue though. Both the side that broke and the side that didn't were missing the puck. I believe if you use the wrong ball joint tool to extract the tie rod that this is the result.
Luckily, this is the same puck all the way down to the 986. And I can get 986 wheel carriers a heck of a lot cheaper 996Cup carriers.
Machine shop fixed the first one without issue using one of my spare C2/986 wheel carriers.
It actually will tighten down but it's awkward. No way to do it without knowing there is an issue though. Both the side that broke and the side that didn't were missing the puck. I believe if you use the wrong ball joint tool to extract the tie rod that this is the result.
Luckily, this is the same puck all the way down to the 986. And I can get 986 wheel carriers a heck of a lot cheaper 996Cup carriers.
Machine shop fixed the first one without issue using one of my spare C2/986 wheel carriers.
Lol! At your convenience. This guy is at least 6 weeks out. And that's assuming that I really do have more time now that the kids are headed back to school and their summer tennis season is over.
I have a stock 996.2 Airbox if you're interested. Located in Southern Cali
I'm actually needing two. Ideally in addition to the one Blue Chip has so that I can still razz him for "owing me." Although in the totality of things that may not be entirely true.
I wonder if any of the aftermarket manufacturers have come up with a replacement bushing. That seems like an easy thing to machine, and if Porsche doesn't offer a replacement, there may be a market for them. A pair of bushings has to be cheaper than a pair of uprights. Rennline, for example, seems like someone who could easily make something like this.
