FRUNKenstein

My the OEM bumper plugs on my car have been looking pretty haggard lately. I tried to touch them up myself, but it didn't look good.



So, off to BumperPlugs.com I go to order a new set. They came with installation instructions:



Knowing full well the type of job this was going to be, I attired myself appropriately.



After a lot of cursing, at least a 6 pack of beer, skinned knuckles and 4 hours, I finally got them installed:



The problem is, and I'm sure you all already noticed this in the installation instructions, THERE ARE NO TORQUE SPECS provided by the boys at BumperPlugs.com. I feel this is a huge oversight for a company as detailed oriented as BumperPlugs.com. This is my second purchase from them, and the first, a set of rear bumperettes, went flawlessly. But for this DIY project, I just have the feeling that my install isn't up to normal Porsche standards.
Here is a pic of the left plug:



And one of the right plug:



You can clearly see the difference. I'm afraid the right one might come loose during my next autocross. The aerodynamic effect if I'm at speed on the autocross course could be disastrous. Just driving around my residential neighborhood, I can tell the difference when I'm going around a corner - I can't hit the apex correctly and when power comes on, especially when the turbos kick in on the exit to the corner next to our subdivision swimming pool, it just makes the front end plow and not feel like I'm getting the tail kicked around.

After doing research here and on Six Speed, I've come to the conclusion that I don't have the plugs torqued properly. It's no wonder given that I wasn't supplied any specs whatsoever. No searches turn up the proper numbers. Hopefully you guys can help.

wildbilly32

Put a front license plate on that bad boy and you won't have all those problems! Oh right...you live in Missouri...not required...

Spinout

Torques is insignificant. Use a #3 Phillips on a held held impact driver with an 8 pound steel mallot and give y'all 'ya got.

Fracture

as tight as you can
+
1 more turn

dporto

Don't worry about it, just drive it like you stole it ! What watch were you wearing when you did the install?

Slakker

Crap, I didn't look at who posted this before I read it. LOL.

dan_189

Maybe he went all out:

GTorTT

Could be the brand of beer you were drinking, perhaps even the temperature. If the beer is not cold enough it can impact torque specs. Consult your local brewer for additional details.

911Syncro

Oh, I see the problem. Those are for the rear bumper, that way they are close to the engine so they can help prevent the engine mounts from failing.

5CHN3LL

You can use a 3-yard garbage bin filled with water to gently apply pressure to the front of the car until the plugs are flush with the rest of the bumper.

That's 2.5 tons of water. Handy!

jhall

I once asked a mechanic tightening a bolt on the flight controls of a helicopter I was going to fly what torque he had used. His answer...three shakes of my leg.

996AE

Bumper plugs just added to the 996 known failure list. I read it on the internet.

This is a public announcement.

I have a fix for it but I cant tell you.

texcwa

Just spent $1,200.00 on a Porsche approved N rated Torque Wrench so as to install my plugs, hope someone will have an answer to your question, hate to void my warranty!

gnarbowski

Will my plugs not being torqued to spec effect my aerodynamics. My handling has dramatically decreased since installing my new bumper plugs.

sanyata

After proper torqueing don't forget to mark the plug with a blue or yellow marker so you can keep an eye on whether the plug is coming undone or not.