Some may recall my thread where I had some fitment issues with my Eibach rear sway bar. If not here is the link:
https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...-sway-bar.html

So I have been speaking with Eibach about this and they were very accomodating and didn't hesitate to send me another bar with no mention of a receipt of sale or any questions about purchase. I temporarily installed an 1/8" spacer between the sway bushing and the subframe to temporarily fix the issue until the problem was resolved. Monday I received the new sway bar from Eibach and I had the exact same issue.

I have been speaking with Mike from AWE about other buisness and asked him about this issue with my Eibach sway just to see if he had heard anything about it. He said that he had encountered this on H&R sways, but only on an early 996TT. Suddenly it started to make sense. As it turns out a few of the early 2001 996TTs have a few differences that make rear sway bar fitment difficult. I spoke with GMG and one of their techical guys confirmed this and said that in the past they have made shims the same as I have to fix this issue and that they had encountered the exact same issue.

So, has anyone else ran into this? I find it hard to believe that I am the only one to encounter this. Any vendors with any input on this?

P.S. Thanks to GMG and AWE for helping me with your knowledge when you had nothing to gain. Huge props!

 

I can test fit that rear bar on my 2001 if Eibach needs more test subjects.

-M

 

Vag,

What about changing the steel cross member for the aluminum gt2/3 one and see if that helps? I can take some measurements if it helps.

Tim

 

You read my mind, Tim. I was curious if that was the difference too. Not sure of the differences though. According to the PET there are 4 different types of crossmembers. Measurements would be awesome for comparison.

 

I installed H&R front and rear swaybars on my 2001 996tt with zero fittment issues.

 

As I said, this only effects a few early 2001 cars. And it is both h&r and rear sways that have the issue. If you look in PET their are multiple part numbers for sub frame components.

 

Interesting as I am in the market for sways on my 2001... I would be intrigued to see what build dates for 2001 have this issue. I will stick my nose under mine tomorrow to see if I happen to have the same bracket that is causing interference for you.

 

Can anyone tell me more about this aluminum GT3 cross member?

Also, how can I decode my own 2001's VIN to determine if it's early or late? Meaning, I realize it will be the last few digits but what constitutes an early versus late range? Should I check the door jam for the month it was built? I assume that might be another clue and if it was built in the calendar year 2000 that it might be an earlier model? Thanks!