Center Support Bearing Fix

[MrFlip]

Hey guys, after reading many posts about the center support going out (which mine did), I heard from a coworker that Honda guys use Windo-Weld as a filler for broken motor mounts so I gave it a try on my center support bearing mount. The first time I just got under my car and tried to smear it evenly around the support but it ended up not even at all. However after I let it dry overnight and drove it the next day it did suppress the sound quite a bit but it was still rather noticeable. A few weeks later I tried to make my own support again. This time I took the driveshaft completely out, patiently cleaned all the rubber support off the bracket and driveshaft, using 2 levels and a stack of paper evenly balanced both pieces of the driveshaft, measured and moved the bracket to where the bearing was centered, drilled the bracket into a piece of wood so it wouldn't move, laid the Windo-Weld on the bearing and slowly spun the bearing at the same time until it reached the bracket, carefully smeared it evenly and (using a light on the other side) filled any open cracks, let it dry overnight, put it all back together and I haven't had a problem with it since (it being 2 + months since I've done it plus I've done a good amount of off roading afterwards with no problems!!)

Basically I fixed it with $25 worth of Windo-Weld (1 bottle) and it took 1 day (slow and steady) vs. A $400 quick fix!

[dtxscott]

Good fix... This one may be easier/cheaper......

See post #3

Cardan Shaft? - Rennlist Discussion Forums

[Determined]

I did the $400 fix yesterday, it was not bad with the proper tools. I lubed the bearing as well, it's good I did this because it looked like little grease was in there. Although my flex plate was in good shape on the car, I still replaced it with the new one included and I must say that I am impressed. The feel is perfect, the car responds very well even on quick accelerations. Nice kit!

[island911]

Originally Posted by dtxscott

Good fix... This one may be easier/cheaper......

See post #3

Cardan Shaft? - Rennlist Discussion Forums

Wow. That is great. Deserves a Red Green Award, or something.

here's the pick, from the link.



That's a lot more crude than what I did, but I like the cost on that.^

[911SauCy]

If' you're going to fix a Porsche like that...

(Unless it's a get it home and off the roadside fix)

One thing comes to mind: You might have been able to buy a Cayenne, but you might not be able to afford a Cayenne.

[mtnrat]

The person who did it now has near 10,000 miles on it. I give huge credit for the ingenuity. It wasn't out of financial need but was a quick temporary fix that has become a bit of an experiment.

[fintstone]

I did the exact same fix when my Cayenne started thumping about 400 miles from home. My options on a Friday night were finding a uhaul place and rental truck and trailer to tow it home (about $1000, but I would still need it fixed...so total of about $3500), leave it at the closest dealer night drop off for Monday and get a hotel room for a week (cost about $3500) or rent a car to get home and come back (cost about $3500). I bought about 2 feet of 3/8 fuel line hose and some plastic wire ties at Autozone for less than $5. Then I raised the vehicle height via the air shocks to max (off road) height so I could easily get under the vehicle from the passenger side without a lift. I unbolted the 6 bolts and used a knife to cut away much of the old rubber. I cut 14 1.5 inch pieces of fuel line hose and fastened them together (so that the pieces touched but were not tight). Then I put it around the bearing and added one last tie to hold it all together. Next, I slid the bracket over and wire tied it in several places...put the bolts back and lowered the car air shocks back to normal. It worked perfectly (and, as an engineer...much smoother/better engineered than the factory piece IMHO). I was back on the road in 30 minutes. I will not change unless the bearing fails. I put a spare, 2 ft piece of hose and wire ties in the car emergency kit in case it ever fails again.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by 911SauCy

If' you're going to fix a Porsche like that...

(Unless it's a get it home and off the roadside fix)

One thing comes to mind: You might have been able to buy a Cayenne, but you might not be able to afford a Cayenne.

It is much more substantial than the original piece (which seems designed to fail)...so, it is actually an upgrade. The original got me 180K miles, I think this one may get me at least that many or more. The drivetrain has never been smoother.

I can pay cash for a new Cayenne, but choose not to. I like my old TT just fine...and like the looks better than the new ones. Although I can certainly afford a $3K fix to a car worth maybe $6K...but would not make that choice if there are better options (have to turn in my man card). Not wasting money is why I have plenty. I also choose not to waste time/money paying the Porsche tax for a poorly designed part. It is the principle. A repair like this that gets the family home safe and endures is the modern man's equivalent of killing a grizzly bear or hacking logs out to build a cabin in the wilderness. One of the few ways one can demonstrate ingenuity and nerve these days. I would not trade the experience/opportunity for money.

My emergency brake light/buzzer stuck on during the same trip. The strut had failed and did come all the way to the top. I used a plastic grocery bag to tie it up (so it would not buzz all the way across country and back) until I got home...and ordered the obligatory strut for $14 from our host and replaced it when I got home.

[Determined]

Impressive mileage out of this fix, I did the upgrade fix that costs more and I’ve logged 102,000 miles on it with no issues.

[991gts6s]

I doubt it works on a turboS.. All Drive shafts need to be balanced or you cant go fast...

i bought a new one for 400 and it was super easy to install...

[fintstone]

Of course it works on turbos. Why wouldn't it? You don't remove or change the existing drive shaft (cardan shaft) or the balance of it in any way. The driveshaft is already balanced. Likely better than one you would buy/install yourself...and certainly higher quality than a new one for $400. Are you sure it was not rebuilt? Was there no core return?