Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
2012 Porsche Boxster (987) F6-2.9LFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Front Subframe: Service and Repair
WM 400919 Removing and installing front-axle cross member
Preliminary work
1. Put steering wheel with wheels in straight ahead position and remove ignition key (steering wheel fixed.)
2. Raise the vehicle -> 4X00IN01 Lifting the vehicle and remove the front wheels -> 440519 Removing and installing wheel .
3. Remove front cover (underbody protection) -> 519219 Removing and installing front cover .
Removing and installing front-axle cross member
Removing
1. Pull connector -A- from sensor for HBA and loosen threaded joint -B- on control lever.
HBA sensor
2. Loosen support for coolant pipes (screwed on 4x) and press together the support for coolant pipes in the centre -arrows- and unclip.
Support for coolant pipes
3. Loosen anti-roll-bar mount -arrows- and allow anti-roll bar to hang.
Front anti-roll-bar mount
4. Loosen trailing arm on front-axle cross member -arrow - and pull out of the mount.
Trailing arm mount for axle cross member
5. Remove screw -arrow- from universal joint (steering column). Carefully push steering column upward until the universal joint loosens from the steering gear.
Universal joint
6. Remove the steering mount (2 M10 screws on front-axle cross member).
7. Remove diagonal braces (2 screws -1 + 2- and 2 M12 nuts on front-axle cross member).
Remove protective plate (cover under tank). To do so, loosen the screw from the right and left tank restraining strap.
Remove the mounts -3 to 10- and carefully lower the front-axle cross member (two workers required!).
Cross member with diagonal brace to body
Installing
Information
Always replace the screw for the universal joint of the steering column.
Observe correct tightening torques.
-> 4001TW Tightening torques for front axle .
Installation is in reverse order.
Subsequent work
Fit the front cover (underbody protection) -> 519219 Removing and installing front cover .
Fit front wheels -> 440519 Removing and installing wheel .
Information
Check the steering-angle sensor setting.
Adjust toe -> 449503 Performing front and rear suspension alignment . Calibrate steering-angle sensor if necessary.
Factory Service Tools
Use the Manual With the Right Hardware
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- β’ You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- β’ Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- β’ The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- β’ You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- β’ You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
