A customer brought in their 1986 Porsche 911 Carrera after tearing a rear sway bar mount at the track. The factory mounts are known to be weak for spirited driving, so the customer chose investment cast Windrush Evolutions brackets as a stronger, lasting fix.
The old stamped sheet metal mounts were carefully cut away, and damaged areas were cleaned for welding. Cracked seams on the frame rails were also welded during the process.
The new cast brackets are much stronger than the factory stamped metal mounts and were tack welded into position after checking alignment with the sway bar partially installed.
Quality paint was applied after welding to prevent rust, and the sway bar was reinstalled with new bushings. The car is now ready to return to the track.
What are Windrush Evolutions sway bar brackets and why are they used on a 1986 Porsche 911 Carrera?
Windrush Evolutions sway bar brackets are investment cast replacement mounts designed for the 1986 Porsche 911 Carrera. They are used because the factory stamped sheet metal sway bar mounts are weak and prone to tearing during spirited or track driving. The cast pieces are significantly stronger and offer a long-lasting, permanent repair solution.
This customer brought in their 1986 911 Carrera after tearing a rear sway bar mount at the track. The factory sway bar mounts are notoriously weak for any sort of spirited driving,and this car had already been repaired once, so the customer opted for investment cast Windrush Evolutions sway bar brackets. These cast pieces are much stronger than the stamped sheet metal factory mounts and should offer a permanent fix.
After drying, the sway bar is reinstalled with new bushings and a new bracket on the damaged side. The car is ready for the track again!
The new mounts are welded on and quality paint is used to prevent rust.
After checking the position of the mounts with the sway bar partially installed, the new pieces can be tack welded in place.
The seams on the frame rails have started to crack as seen on the right of the cleaned area here. These will be welded when the mounts are installed.
The sheet metal has been damaged from the previous repairs, but it must be meticulously cleaned for welding.
We remove the metal in multiple parts to preserve the integrity of the frame.
The old mounting is carefully cut away from the body.
Here you can see the previously repaired sway bar bracket,and the newly torn sheet metal on the right side of the image.
FAQs
The factory sway bar mounts are made from stamped sheet metal, which is not strong enough to handle the stress of spirited or track driving. Over time, especially under repeated hard cornering, the mounts can tear away from the body, leaving the sway bar unsupported and the car unsafe to drive.
Windrush Evolutions sway bar brackets are investment cast pieces designed as a direct upgrade over the weak factory stamped sheet metal mounts. The casting process produces a much stronger and more durable bracket that is far less likely to tear under the stress of track use or aggressive driving.
The old damaged mounts are carefully cut away from the body to preserve the integrity of the frame rails. The new brackets are then tack welded into position after checking alignment with the sway bar partially installed, and the final welds are completed along with any cracked seams on the frame rails.
While a torn mount can be repaired, repeated repairs to the factory stamped sheet metal can leave the surrounding area weakened and more prone to damage. Many owners who have already had one repair done choose to upgrade to cast brackets at that point to avoid going through the same process again.
Along with installing the new brackets, the sway bar is reinstalled with fresh bushings to restore proper handling feel. Any cracked seams found on the frame rails during the process are also welded, and quality paint is applied over the new mounts to protect against rust.
Common signs include unusual handling behavior, clunking or knocking noises from the rear suspension, or visible damage when inspecting the underside of the car near the sway bar. If your car has been driven hard at the track, it is a good idea to have the mounts inspected regularly since the factory pieces are known to be weak.
This repair involves cutting away old mounts, welding new brackets onto the body, and addressing any related frame rail damage, which makes it a job best left to a shop with experience working on air-cooled Porsches. Improper welding or positioning of the mounts can affect handling and the structural integrity of the car.
Published On: December 11, 2018Categories: Porsche
