How do you check center lock torque before track event?
#16
I suggest you do some searches in the 997 GT3 forum on terms such as ‘centerlock failure’ and similar. You’ll find loads of folks sharing horror stories. In fact, the guy who bought my 2010 GT3 had a wheel come off the car while on-track at high speed. It was sheer luck no one was hurt. This was just one of many catastrophic failures that forced Porsche to do a quick rethink of the procedure and torque specs for centerlocks.
I started this thread to find out what I need to do to ensure my wheels don't come off. You're saying wheels have come off. I did the search you're talking about and I'm pretty sure I asked exactly what leads to wheels coming off in another thread and the answers I got were reassuring. If you follow the proper steps as laid out by Porsche and the wheels will not come off a 991. If that's wrong or you've got any advice, that's what we're here to read.
#17
Rennlist Member
There's some weirdness going on here with the quoting and I'm pretty sure this wasn't for me... but from what was mentioned above, it would appear that once they're properly tight they don't get un-tight so my plan going forward is going to be to check that the locks are properly engaged at the start of the day and leave it at that.
Looks like I'll have to make a habit of re-doing them any time I get it back from a shop though. So that's annoying.
Not sure it's been said in this thread yet, but center locks suck ***** and it's crap that Porsche forces them on us.
Looks like I'll have to make a habit of re-doing them any time I get it back from a shop though. So that's annoying.
Not sure it's been said in this thread yet, but center locks suck ***** and it's crap that Porsche forces them on us.
#18
Race Car
Have there been any reported failures with the 991 centerlocks?
I know there are quite a few with the 997 version. I thought they somehow changed the hardware on the 991 as well as publishing the 800-step procedure to properly inspect and tighten them.
I know there are quite a few with the 997 version. I thought they somehow changed the hardware on the 991 as well as publishing the 800-step procedure to properly inspect and tighten them.
#19
Originally Posted by Wild Weasel
There's some weirdness going on here with the quoting and I'm pretty sure this wasn't for me... but from what was mentioned above, it would appear that once they're properly tight they don't get un-tight so my plan going forward is going to be to check that the locks are properly engaged at the start of the day and leave it at that.
Looks like I'll have to make a habit of re-doing them any time I get it back from a shop though. So that's annoying.
Not sure it's been said in this thread yet, but center locks suck ***** and it's crap that Porsche forces them on us.
Looks like I'll have to make a habit of re-doing them any time I get it back from a shop though. So that's annoying.
Not sure it's been said in this thread yet, but center locks suck ***** and it's crap that Porsche forces them on us.
#20
#21
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I own 2 997 GT3RS's and a 991 GT3 personally myself, so have pretty good first hand knowledge of the center lock issue's. I have been on track and had a 997GT3 loose a wheel in front of me. That car had non standard wheels on it and was re-torqued with the car ON ITS WHEELS ON THE GROUND.
Like I said, never seen a car with the proper technique used with OEM wheels have something come loose. Just looks at an exploded view of the center lock system. Its very apparent how its supposed to work.
Like I said, never seen a car with the proper technique used with OEM wheels have something come loose. Just looks at an exploded view of the center lock system. Its very apparent how its supposed to work.
#22
Once CL's properly installed and now on the ground I see no reason you can't do yet another check at torque any time you want. We torque 5 lugs and retorque after a track session. CL's are not special. There is no reason to think they can't loose torque. Why would a CL loose torque? Well for the same reason a 5 lug would loose torque. I think what is scarier is the huge number of CL users who rely solely on their airgun with only measure the pressure set on their nitrogen regulator. There is no way to get repeatable results with an airgun. If there was we would not use torque wrenches. Even with just using airguns it is rare that a CL wheel leaves without the car.
#23
I thought you absolutely couldn't use an impact wrench on center locks for tightening or loosening. Do people do it anyway??
#24
It's in the manual. Do not use an impact wrench. This is for Porsche street car centerlocks. I've never seen anyone use an impact wrench on them.
#25
Rennlist Member
+1 put in air, have buddy depress brake, retorque as per instructions. I did that for years with mine, regularly swapping between street and track wheels, and moving track wheels side to side. PIA but it's the way to do it to make sure it is right.
#27
I'm asking whether there's an easy way, with the wheel already installed, to just check that it's properly torqued.
The answer seems to be no, and that if you want to check them, you have to re-install them. I think you're just re-stating that, but I'm not 100% sure.
#29
I feel like I'm talking into a void.
There are two answers available here.
1. To check the torque you...
2. You cannot check it. You need to re-do the installation procedure if you want to ensure they're properly torqued.
#30
Rennlist Member