911GT2

I bought a torque brace from the famous Garfinkle. In his (handwritten!) instructions, it says that if you want to install the brace without removing the ABS, you need a drill with a 90 degree angle head on it. Me being the lazy type, I rented a drill from Home Depot.

With that and a 1/2 in. bit, I can't fit the friggen thing in between the ABS unit and the fender, it's off by about 3 inches. The bit I have is like 6 inches long. Does anyone have any idea where I can get a 1/2 in drill bit that isn't 6 inches long, like maybe 3 inches? I've called every hardware store in my area looking for one, and can't find one.

Or, has anyone installed Garfinkle's brace that can help me with ideas on how to do it? I really don't wanna take the ABS off, cus then I'll have to go through all the touble of brake bleeding and all that crap that I don't wanna do.

apneablue

I have this exacts same brace and haven't installed it yet...If I were me then I would cut the drill bit shorter with a dremel and a dimond cutting disk...or slam it into a bench vice and take a hacksaw to it. That's probably what I will do when I encounter the prob you are having...

Please document so I can learn from your mistakes

93blackrx

a little off topic but, how much was it?

good luck man. I'd just cut it also, hope it all works out for ya!!!

apneablue

I got mine new off ebay for $125 shipped.

DamonB

I would like to see you busy cutting drill bits in half with a hacksaw. If you were smart you would clamp the bit in the vise and smack it with a hammer, thus saving yourself hours of toil

911GT2

Then you got ripped off. Garfinkle sells them for $85 each, you pay shipping.

I'll document for you Apnea, i'm probably gonna take the hacksaw to the drill bit. Funny, that had crossed my mind earlier, but now that someone else has mentioned it, it seems so much more realistic. Thanks.

911GT2

Or I could do that...

Just out of curiousity, which end do you cut? If you cut off the end that normally goes into the drill, will the drill hold the bit right?

But if you cut off the end you drill with, the new edge wont be tapered to a point like the old one, so it won't drill.

Which end?

apneablue

Well, I guess you are smart and I am not.

Just stuff the part you broke or sawed off into the drill...it will work fine...I have used broken bits like this before.

911GT2

Right, but.... which end is that? Do I cut off the tip and use that, or do I cut off the tip and use the rest?

apneablue

Cut off the part that goes into the drill and use the tip.

911GT2

Thanks!

GP1200R

I blew off installing the "poly nuts" (or drilling any holes) and just used the two smaller screws in the stock locations....it works fine, the support plate is only in compression anyway

911GT2

That crossed my mind as I was fighting the ABS unit. I'm thinking, all the other ones don't require drilling, why should this one? Then I remembered that that was why I bought it, because of the reviews it had due to the wonderful bracing it provided.

Sure yours works, but I'm sure it'll work a whole helluva lot better with all 6 bolts holding it on. And it really isn't that hard to do, as long as you have the proper tools, and a short enough bit. Both problems are easily solved.

duboisr

Use a 1/2 inch counter sink tool instead of a drill . He used to supply the 90 degree tool and the short drill but they (two each ) were stolen on the first two sales . Yes two forum readers .Get a small shank drill and brake it in the vice and resharpen it . To remove the ABS and install it takes him about 8-10 min. Bleeding takes maybe 30 min .

duboisr

If you need help just call Gar , he can turn a drill down in the lathe break it off and resharpen it if you can not do that or remove the ABS .

911GT2

I was hoping you would chime in.

Ok, talk to me like I'm four here. Whats a counter sink tool? To me, counter and sink are in a kitchen, so I'm lost.

David told me he about the 90 degree tool and the short bit he used to supply, so I understand why he doesn't anymore. It sucks when people rip off good honest people like David, and leave the rest of us to fend for ourselves.

About that ABS removal, it might take 8-10 minutes if you know how, but I spent an hour or so on it today, and didn't get it to budge (I'm not even close to mechanically inclined, I should find a new major at school).

I'll just brake the bit, it fit fine on the top hole, and if it were like 3 inches shorter it'd be fine for the bottom three. If you speak to Garfinkle in the near future, tell him I'm getting his tools back to him as soon as I can, but it's raining here for like the next 3-4 days, and I have no garage to work in.

duboisr

911GT2 A counter sink tool is like a drill that cuts a 87 1/2 degree bevel . Two were used on your mount for the counter sink allens he supplied you . They are short . Do not be up set working on the project, just call and ask for a short drill to be cut . All this is for enjoyment, use all your resources. Gar is a resource .

911GT2

87 1/2 degrees huh? Ok, I get it now. And I assume the tool is short enough to be used in conjunction with the drill and fit with the ABS still intact?

Thanks for the help. I'm gonna cut the drill bit when I have time to go rent the drill again. Unless I can find a counter sink tool, in which case I'll probably get that instead.

rotorbrain

hey 911gt2. its really a lot easier to take the abs off. its only a few bolts. . . and your brakes could probably use a bleeding anyways. . . or fluid replacement for that matter. instead of going out and buying all these bits and tools, just take the abs out and do a much needed and advised bleeding.

btw, i have the brace installed on my car and pics are somewhere in this forum. . . its a newer post. . . just look it up.

paul

911GT2

Brakes were flushed and bled when KDR installed new rotors, pads, lines and calipers 2 weeks ago.

I'm just cutting the bit and drilling the holes, it'll be easy with a short bit. Thanks for the help everyone.

rotorbrain

well, rock on! haha

paul

DamonB

I didn't mean to sound rude, just trying to help. I imagined a hacksaw blade would leave you a forearm like Popeye

rotorbrain

i hate hacksaws. its so sucky having to cut through **** with a hacksaw. like aluminum stock or something. . . cause you cant take it off the lathe in fear that it wont be in the correct spot when you put it back on. . . yuck.

paul

maxpesce

A hacksaw won't cut a drill bit very well as Drill Bits are usually made from MUCH harder steel than most hacksaw blades, you should be able to get shorty (2") drill bits from any good TOOL store (not Home Depot) I think Harbor Freight has them or White Cap, Juniors Tools etc.