Do I need a hydraulic press? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

Except the front engine mount, is there anything else that I might find a hydraulic 20-ton press to be useful? Or maybe 12-ton model... I do not want to buy it because I want to have another tool, so any suggestions (either direction) are welcome.

There is always a reason to find to use a tool. Now or later, this car or the next. Tool collection should be like cars, just keep buying. lol Check FB market, CL, letgo, etc to see if you can find a used one. A press is always nice to have.

yeah, I found a used one, 20-ton, in very good shape, for 150. But then again... if I can use it only for the front mount, what is the point? I will pay 20 to have someone push old one out and push the new one in. 130 in my pocket for a lot of Heineken. suspension pieces? bearings? IMS replacement?

I managed to do the front mount insert with my bench vice.......... -Eric 99 986 09 Cayman S

You need a press for the wheel bearings.

Astro Pneumatic Wheel Bearing Tool Set (78825), works great, no press needed........ -Eric 99 986 09 Cayman S

i did my front engine mount with a vise as well. If you need a press, go to the shop that you have built a relationship with and they help you. If you dont have that relationship, now is the time to establish it. You cannot exist without it or a fat checkbook. said it before, say it again...mechanics are easy, straightforward folk and the right one is glad to help nice people. seriously, every shop has a press and they are always glad to help an easy to get along enthusiast.

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Found a guy local to me to assist with my front mount. He was only going to charge me $5 and I handed him a $20. He immediately said "If you need anything, just let me know and I can help out." Relationship established lol! In the grand scheme of things, $15 doesn't really matter but for me it's nice to know someone who has a nice shop nearby that can help me when I'm in a pinch.

Guys, you drifted into a wrong direction. Yes, I completely agree - a good relationship is needed. On all my other cars I always had good relationship with the service dept. I would bring them candies, some others (the closer ones) alcohol (home made vodka), so we were great buddies. As for a local shop - not in this area yet. But they question I had was - how many jobs on the Boxster would require a press. I also have Q5 with about 45k miles for now. If I get only to use the press once - pointless to invest and take up space. I am getting quick jacks as those will be very usefull for brake jobs or winter/seasonal wheel changes. But the hydraulic press is a different story. Is it really needed or it is more like - let's have another toy. Just like air nail gun I used maybe on 3 projects.

It is definitely a nice to have and isn't required. If you can find a shop around you that is usually better. I wouldn't look at it as something to use just on the 986 though. I look at tools a different way. If I will only use it once, I'll consider just renting one. If it is something I will most likely use again for any car then I'll just buy it if the price is right. Never know when you will need a specific tool at 10pm on a Saturday night and no one is going to be open again until Monday. The biggest issue I see with a press is just where to put it. would be great to get a tabletop one that isn't as big as the typical ones. Quickjacks are something that if you look at using for just brake jobs will quickly grow. I have used them to pull engines, transmissions, lift my mower up to change the blades, friends borrowed to take to the track, etc. Tools are like this in many aspects.

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I've owned and worked on my Porsches since 1995. I still don't own a press..

I have one at the 'office' that I have used for a couple engine mounts and wheel bearings. ...that's been an average of less than once a year. My garage space is too valuable to have one taking up space that I can use for other things. There is a local shop that I used once (before I had one available at work). He charged me $30 to press an engine mount out and in. Well worth it.

OK then. As Yoda say would: Impulse purchase that would be. No floor, 20-ton hydraulic press, as our 22x22 garage is too small, especially that I have a trailer, two sets of winter wheels, 8 gallon compressor, recycling bin, and lots of other stuff around. On the top of that Q5 and either Bolt or Boxster inside.

The first engine mount I ever replaced, I used a floor jack, some pieces of wood and one very heavy RV.

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Darn it. You are pushing me in a different direction now. I need to get an RV now

I have been Dicking with cars for 50 + years. I have needed a press maybe a handful of times. Most times there is a work around. Although I have only had it a few year the thing I use and like the most is my scissor lift. Even waxing the Porsche... gets it up where I can see and I can sit on a stool while working.