FRUNKenstein

When I had my car on the lift over the weekend, I noticed that the driver side wastegate actuator rod had broken right where it connected to the wastegate lever. It felt as if it wasn't building boost lately, although I've just been driving around town - no track time. After doing some research, I realized a few things:
1. This is a pretty common occurrence. The heat and environment down there are pretty hard on them.
2. This problem won't throw a CEL or code.
3. You really can't fix the rod (although some people may possibly have welded it as a short term fix), so the fix is replacement of the wastegate actuator. They get beat up and rusted pretty badly anyway, so probably for the best to replace the entire unit.
4. Wastegate actuators come in pairs.
5. The stockers will be 0.7 bar, so you are looking at buying aftermarket.

I found the following sources and prices (for a pair):

Turbosmart $524
Forge (billet, adjustable) $455
Evolution Motorsports $395
Sharkwerks $389
AMS Performance $350 (have a unique billet offset mechanism for the rods)
Agency Power $300 (but found them on Amazon for $259)
Silly Rabbit Motorsports $200 (but not listed as a separate item on their website, thanks to 32krazy! for the lead)

Kevin - I looked on your UMW website, but couldn't get pricing on individual items, so you may want to post what you have available.

I found some promising promo codes (10% to 30% off) for various vendors online, but not one of them worked.
I didn't end up buying the Silly Rabbit ones simply because 32krazy! was concerned that it might take a couple of weeks to get them (temporary issue that I won't go into). So, I bought the Agency Power set. Unfortunately, after I ordered them, Amazon changed the 5 day quoted delivery time to 3 to 6 weeks. Ugh. Hopefully they come in quicker.

Th Dude

Out of everyone you listed, the only one who contributes to this forum by freely offering his expert advice is Kevin (UMW).
Sometimes the cheapest price isn't always the best value. Supporting the vendor who supports the forum is good value, imo.
Not too late to cancel the amazon order and PM Kevin.
No offense intended, just my thoughts.

Kevin

Before you spend monies on new wastegates. Make sure that you don't have a failing/seized wastegate lever arm. Chicken or the egg? What caused the stainless actuator arm to sheer/break?

Th Dude we posted at the same time.. From the list, the SRM actuators have the best value/pricing.

996tnz

Or the (ex Bosch) Kayser 710N plastic bodied ones for cars still running original turbos (K16s at least, perhaps also suited to K24s?) from around $60 each.

They are diaphragm based so if one fails, rather than sticking, your car will probably start making duck noises, letting you know to replace it. Or I suppose you could leave it that way and race ducks down the freeway.

996tnz

Seconded, I got mine through Kevin too - along with a spectacularly bang for buck tune and a generous helping of his expert advice.

FRUNKenstein

Absolutely agree. I just didn't see on his website where Kevin offered them for sale. That's why I put a note inviting Kevin to chime in.

I just spoke with Jason at Warehouse33auto.com. We originally spoke yesterday and he didn't think he could get them (which is why I thought I'd post my findings here). Jason is who I normally source my parts from and Jason is both a Rennlist sponsor and a 996tt owner who posts here.

Normally I wouldn't go around gathering info on who has the cheapest parts price, but since this is an aftermarket only deal and they are a little hard to find, I thought I'd post here what I learned to save everyone a little time. Anyhow, having just spoken with Jason at Warehouse33auto.com, he discovered that he can get them after all and from 3 different manufacturers. So, I've cancelled my Amazon order and will be getting them from Jason. It's a good thing to support the RL sponsors and contributors.

FRUNKenstein

Good point - I saw in a thread posted here where someone's wastegate lever arm had seized. Mine moves freely, though. I didn't take a photo, but the entire arm was pretty corroded.

Kevin

Freely cold vs freely hot (the last one is the critical and most challenging to check).

FRUNKenstein

I think those Kayser 710N 's are diverter valves rather than wastegate actuators, though.

FRUNKenstein

I assume bare fingers work best?

RDS928S

http://sillyrabbitmotorsport.com/eng...ngine-upgrades.

Not on the website but just email them.

Third-Reef

I ordered the agency power actuators and when I got them the instructions showed how to put them in a vice and bend them straight. I sent them back and made new ends for my existing 1 bar actuators.

996tnz

Oops - right you are.

"02996ttx50

killer deal.. now thats more like it.

993GT

happy with my AMS WG's but the SRM seem to offer great value...