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