Rust hole in front pan. Will this stop me from getting on the track?

jax911 · 03-09-2008, 02:55 PM

I have a car that I would like to try a DE track day or two this year.
Will this rust spot on the front pan be an issue at a tech inspection?

I cant find any other issues with rust, what other tech inspection items should I be prepared for?

Thanks, Jack.

911Freak · 03-09-2008, 03:00 PM

I'm sure others way more qualified than I will chime in, but...b/c it is where the front TB mounts it very well may be an issue..
Consider the commonality that once you actually see the rust, there is usually much more cancer that hasn't eatin thru the undercoating..
Why chance it? It is a safty issue b/c where it's located..you (hopefully don't) could lose control..even just street driving w/hard cornering..
IMHO get it fixed ASAP

TimT · 03-09-2008, 03:04 PM

That might be a problem. I'd be nervous driving a car with rust like that in the track. What us a concern is the rust you dont see.

Zeke · 03-09-2008, 03:05 PM

Why would you want to drive a car in that condition at a track? It might not get scrutinized and it might survive and, but that's not a race car. It's not even a good street car. I've replaced that pan more than once and I know what it's made of and how the a-arm is attached. Yours will just get looser and looser until you fix it. The biggest force on it is in braking. You don't want the thing to pop out at the end of th straight. The second biggest force on it is in a turn. How about it letting loose in a long sweeper? There little torsion force other than what looks to be the original rubber bushing which is working on that joint at every bump.

911quest · 03-09-2008, 03:18 PM

Remember it is not only you out there the safety of others could be affected if that lets go.

burgermeister · burgermeister's Garage

I wouldn't drive that anywhere (not even a tech inspection), and especially not on the track. Perhaps to bodyshop I might, except I'd want to fix it myself. New front pan is a cheap part, and a good excuse to buy that welder you've always wanted.

RPMClassic · 03-09-2008, 03:43 PM

Dude..........

We can talk about this on saturday during the drive.................that pan needs to be replaced - and at the speeds that you would be driving on the track - your life could depend on it. Save up $1500 and we'll get the car on a cellette bench and get it replaced properly. PLEASE.......don't take the car to the track that way!

jwernquist · 03-09-2008, 03:43 PM

Jax

I know that the guys above probably didn't say what you want to hear, but as an FYI. I bought a 71 where the front pan looked similar to what you have there, undercoating peeling out around the mount etc. Almost looks like my exact car. The thing had been sitting for probably 15 years got it running took it around the block and crack. Hit a pothole and just ripped the front mount and broke and twisted the back. I was going only 5 miles per hour. I never thought it was even close to being that bad, however the material all around it just as they said was rusted though very well hidden. Once the area ripped open it was clear that the only thing holding the front a-arms on was a thin piece of rusted metal and some brittle undercoating.

I couldn't even image that happening on the track. It sucks when it looks so innocent and "Not Too Bad" but you never know what could happen. Alot of guys on the board replace those all the time, it is money well spent and you will never have to worry again.

JW

jax911 · 03-09-2008, 04:22 PM

OK, OK, OK I get it.
Jim, lets get it done, I won't be driving this thing on the Quabbin run. I didn't think it was all that bad but now I'm scared.

mossguy · 03-09-2008, 04:51 PM

"....didn't think it was all that bad but now I'm scared."

As well you should be! I had the same situation in Germany 30 yrs. ago. The A-arm disconnected itself while I was pulling into my garage. Got lucky.

Tom

JeremyD · JeremyD's Garage

It's the stuff you can't see that should have you worried - and that is a critical part of the front suspension.

911Freak · 03-09-2008, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jax911

OK, OK, OK I get it.
Jim, lets get it done, I won't be driving this thing on the Quabbin run. I didn't think it was all that bad but now I'm scared.

No worries, you did the BEST thing; you asked the question before trying to slip past Tech..good on yah mate!

You obviously already have some connections in the P-world, and they'll take care of you...take a deep breath, you did the right thing! Now you'll get it properly sorted out and safely enjoy your Porsche the way it should be..
Now, with that deep breath, make a plan and treat yourself to your favorite beverage, you deserve it!!

rvanderpyl · rvanderpyl's Garage

Here is what a very similiar hole in mine looked like once I opened it up and wire bushed it.

911Rips · 03-09-2008, 05:54 PM

Jack,
I had the same problem, same area on passenger side at TB mount area. We did a repair, fortunately wasn't as bad as we had expected. I've got a great guy in EBridgewater if you need someone for the repair. Also, if you'd like to join me on the Quabbin run we could split driving time.
regards,
Paul

Zeke · 03-09-2008, 05:57 PM

If someone remembers it, there's a pic somewhere in the archives of a front mount being held by some wire. Classic.

jhelgesen · 03-09-2008, 08:55 PM

Been there, fixed it....

Hows that targa coming?

jax911 · 03-09-2008, 11:47 PM

Hey John Helgerson,
The targa is still in the body shop, he takes his time with side jobs like this, but it's coming along. I did find an engine for it finally, a 77 930/02, I'll do some research on the serial #s, wouldn't that be something if it found the car again after all these years.
Hope all is well.

Jim and Paul,
Thanks, I'll be calling you guys to discuss options.

Jack.

RPMClassic · 03-10-2008, 04:45 AM

Paul/Jack -

Paul R........Rick in Bridgewater does not have a cellette bench. Assuming that jack is going to be spending some money on this car.................the repair should be done with the car jigged up.

Jack -

You,ve goy some cellette options within a few hours of where you live. You can head south into CT or North into Vermont. Either way - no big deal. If you don't have a trailer - we can find something to assist in getting the car there.

You should be able top get it back in time to drive to Hershey!!!

rfloz · 03-10-2008, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jax911

OK, OK, OK I get it.
Jim, lets get it done, I won't be driving this thing on the Quabbin run. I didn't think it was all that bad but now I'm scared.

Mine went from "a little rust under the battery" to looking like yours to the A-arm hanging on by a thead in about 500 miles.

Welcome to the (new front pan) club. Hay, it's a good excuse to upgrade the suspension.

Good luck.

burgermeister · burgermeister's Garage

Not sure what a "celette bench" is, but I suspect most folks put their pan back in without one - it only fits one way and in one spot. I measured mine 5 ways from sunday to marks on the chassis and garage floor, and the new one slipped into the spot just fine. Location of the front A-arm mounts in the reproduction pans varies quite a bit more than one would expect anyway - I bought 3 different sets of hardware, each had different issues with bolt hole alignment (I was using my A-arms as alignment fixtures), and the holes were different side-to-side by significantly more (3-4 mm, measured to the pan flange) than there is side-to-side adjustment in a new pan (1 or 2 mm) ... luckily, the suspension geometry is somewhat insensitive to the front A-arm bushing location.

Point being, the procedure can readily be done in the garage at home without any special equipment....