Why do these tie rod ends fit nine different Porsche generations under one part number?

The front outer tie rod end connection at the knuckle uses consistent thread and stud geometry across the 996, 997, 991, 986, 987, 981, and 982/718 platforms. This shared specification allows a single SPL part to cover the full range of Porsche mid-engine and rear-engine production cars from 1997 through the current 718 generation; the only exceptions are the 991 GT3 and the Cayman GT4 variants, which use different front knuckle geometry.

Why does a significantly lowered Porsche risk bending or breaking the inner tie rod without these upgrades?

At significant ride height reductions, the front suspension operates at extreme angles during full wheel droop. The factory tie rod end has a limited articulation range; when the suspension reaches full droop, that range can be exceeded and the tie rod end binds. A bound tie rod end cannot articulate; the force applied to it is instead transmitted as bending stress into the inner tie rod. Under racing conditions with repeated full-droop events on curbing, that stress accumulates and eventually bends or fractures the inner tie rod. The SPL TRE 996's high-misalignment FK rod ends maintain free articulation through the complete droop range at any ride height, preventing that failure mode.

How are the bumpsteer spacers used to correct front bumpsteer?

The spacers are placed between the tie rod end and the knuckle to raise or lower the outer pivot height. Moving the pivot changes the effective angle of the tie rod relative to the suspension's arc of travel, which changes how much the toe angle changes as the suspension compresses. Bumpsteer measurement at an alignment rack determines how much toe change is currently occurring through the suspension's travel; the correct combination of spacers is then selected to minimize that change.

Does this part also work if I haven't modified the front suspension but have just lowered the car?

Yes. Lowering the car alone changes the front geometry enough to introduce measurable bumpsteer on these Porsche platforms; the suspension arc and the tie rod geometry are no longer matched for the factory setup. The SPL TRE 996 corrects that mismatch even if no other front suspension modifications have been made. If the SPL front lower control arms are also installed, the bumpsteer from both the lowering and the arm geometry change can be addressed simultaneously through the spacer adjustment.

What warranty does SPL Parts provide on the TRE 996?

SPL Parts backs this product with a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty against defects in material and workmanship from the date of purchase. If a product fails to meet specifications within that period, SPL Parts will repair, replace, or make appropriate adjustment at their discretion.

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Description

SPL Parts Adjustable Bumpsteer Tie Rod Ends for 98x / 99x / 718 Porsche 911 / Boxster / Cayman

Front bumpsteer on a Porsche is one of those problems that is felt before it is diagnosed. The steering twitches over bumps in ways the driver didn’t input. The car wanders slightly at highway speeds. Under trail braking into a corner, the front end does something unexpected. All of it traces back to the same source — the tie rod end pivot and the front suspension arc are no longer moving in the same plane, so as the suspension compresses, the toe angle changes dynamically without driver input. Any time the front geometry is modified — by lowering the car, upgrading the front lower control arms, or changing the caster rod geometry — the factory tie rod ends’ fixed pivot position introduces or worsens bumpsteer. The SPL TRE 996 adjustable tie rod ends allow that pivot to be relocated. Multiple stainless steel bumpsteer spacers in different heights are included, allowing the outer tie rod end pivot height to be adjusted at the knuckle to bring the tie rod arc back into alignment with the actual suspension geometry at the car’s ride height. Bumpsteer is measured at the alignment rack, spacers are selected to minimize toe change through the suspension’s travel, and the steering becomes calm and consistent over bumps rather than reactive and unpredictable — exactly what properly set tie rod ends should deliver.

Features

Adjustable tie rod ends allow front pivot relocation with stainless steel bumpsteer spacers in multiple sizes; corrects bumpsteer from lowered ride height, modified caster, or front lower arm geometry changes
Gun-drilled 2024-T351 aluminum construction; lightweight and high-strength; titanium hardware
Heat-treated, electroless nickel-plated 4340 Chromoly shanks; high-misalignment design; maintains full articulation at full droop to prevent inner tie rod binding and failure
Three-piece Teflon-lined FK Heim joints and rod ends; low friction; self-lubricating; eliminates tie rod end deflection under load
One set of tie rod ends covers nine Porsche platform generations under a single part number
Backed by SPL Parts’ 10-year/100,000-mile warranty

Specifications

Body Material: Gun-drilled 2024-T351 aluminum
Shank: Heat-treated 4340 chromoly with electroless nickel plating
Heim Joint: PTFE-lined FK 3-piece rod end
Spacers: Multiple stainless steel thicknesses for pivot tuning
Origin: Made in the USA

Applications

Porsche 911 Carrera: 996, 997, 991 | 1999-present
Porsche 911 Carrera 4: 996, 997, 991 | 1999-present
Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS: 991 | 2015-present
Porsche 911 Carrera 4S: 996, 997, 991 | 2002-present
Porsche 911 Carrera GTS: 991 | 2015-present
Porsche 911 Carrera S: 997, 991 | 2005-present
Porsche 911 Carrera T: 991 | 2017-present
Porsche 911 GT2: 996, 997 | 2002-2012
Porsche 911 GT2 RS: 997, 991 | 2010-present
Porsche 911 GT3: 996, 997 | 1999-2012
Porsche 911 GT3 RS: 996, 997, 991 | 2004-present
Porsche 911 Targa: 996 | 2002-2005
Porsche 911 Targa 4: 997, 991 | 2006-present
Porsche 911 Targa 4 GTS: 991 | 2017-present
Porsche 911 Targa 4S: 997, 991 | 2006-present
Porsche 911 Turbo: 996, 997, 991 | 2001-present
Porsche 911 Turbo S: 997, 991 | 2010-present
Porsche 911 R: 991 | 2016-2017
Porsche Boxster: 986, 987, 981, 982 | 1997-present
Porsche Boxster GTS: 981, 982 | 2014-present
Porsche Boxster S: 986, 987, 981, 982 | 1997-present
Porsche Boxster Spyder: 987, 981 | 2010-2016
Porsche Cayman: 987, 981, 982 | 2005-present
Porsche Cayman S: 987, 981, 982 | 2005-present
Porsche Cayman GTS: 981, 982 | 2015-present
Porsche Cayman R: 987 | 2011-2012

Notes

Installation Instructions
Not compatible with 991 GT3 and Cayman GT4
Replacement rod ends available from SPL Parts, please contact us
SPL components are made-to-order in the USA; build time will be confirmed at the time of order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do these tie rod ends fit nine different Porsche generations under one part number? The front outer tie rod end connection at the knuckle uses consistent thread and stud geometry across the 996, 997, 991, 986, 987, 981, and 982/718 platforms. This shared specification allows a single set of SPL tie rod ends to cover the full range of Porsche mid-engine and rear-engine production cars from 1997 through the current 718 generation. The only exceptions are the 991 GT3 and the Cayman GT4 variants, which use different front knuckle geometry incompatible with these tie rod ends.
Why does a significantly lowered Porsche risk bending or breaking the inner tie rod without upgraded tie rod ends? At significant ride height reductions, the front suspension operates at extreme angles during full wheel droop. The factory tie rod ends have a limited articulation range — when the suspension reaches full droop, that range can be exceeded and the tie rod end binds. Bound tie rod ends cannot articulate; the force applied to them is instead transmitted as bending stress into the inner tie rod. Under racing conditions with repeated full-droop events on curbing or over undulations, that stress accumulates and eventually bends or fractures the inner tie rod. The SPL TRE 996 tie rod ends feature high-misalignment FK rod ends that maintain free articulation through the complete droop range at any ride height, preventing that failure mode entirely.
How are the bumpsteer spacers used with these tie rod ends to correct front bumpsteer? The spacers are placed between the tie rod ends and the knuckle to raise or lower the outer pivot height. Moving the tie rod end pivot changes the effective angle of the tie rod relative to the suspension’s arc of travel, which changes how much the toe angle changes as the suspension compresses. Bumpsteer measurement at an alignment rack determines how much toe change is currently occurring; the correct combination of spacers is then selected to minimize that change through the tie rod ends. The process typically takes one alignment session to complete once the spacers are available.
Does this part also work if I haven’t modified the front suspension but have just lowered the car? Yes. Lowering the car alone changes the front geometry enough to introduce measurable bumpsteer on these Porsche platforms — the suspension arc and the factory tie rod ends’ geometry are no longer matched for the new ride height. The SPL TRE 996 tie rod ends correct that mismatch even if no other front suspension modifications have been made. If the SPL front lower control arms are also installed, the bumpsteer from both the lowering and the arm geometry change can be addressed simultaneously through the tie rod end spacer adjustment.
What warranty does SPL Parts provide on the TRE 996 tie rod ends? SPL Parts backs these tie rod ends with a 10-year/100,000-mile warranty against defects in material and workmanship from the date of purchase. If a product fails to meet specifications within that period, SPL Parts will repair, replace, or make appropriate adjustment at their discretion.

About SPL Parts

SPL Parts is a USA-based manufacturer of high-performance suspension components engineered for both professional racing and demanding street applications. Built on the core principles of strength, lightweight construction, low friction, and precision, SPL Parts products deliver the adjustability and alignment performance required by top race teams and discerning enthusiasts alike. Every component is produced using USA-sourced, certified materials and machined by experienced local shops to exacting tolerances. Professional TIG welders ensure maximum weld integrity, while each part is hand-fitted and treated with anti-seize and 3M internal panel coating for lasting protection. SPL Parts conducts all research and development in-house, allowing the team to leverage firsthand product knowledge and deliver unmatched customer support. Their suspension components feature innovative adjuster designs for quicker, more precise alignments, and utilize spherical bearings with Teflon liners that are self-cleaning, self-lubricating, and built for long service life. From concept to assembly, SPL Parts is made with pride in the USA by skilled machinists and welders who are committed to quality, innovation, and performance.

Additional Information

The Bulletproof Automotive website contains many thousands of products purchased in multiple different currencies. All of the prices are entered manually and accurately at the time of entry. Due to the consistently fluctuating international exchange rates, at times prices may not be able to be honored at their original intended rate. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, unfortunately our website is unable to compensate dynamically for what can at times be volatile changes in the cost of items due to currency values fluctuating, changes in prices from suppliers, changes in shipping and import duties, and other factors. Rest assured that any order you place on line will be at zero risk to you in this area. If in the event your order cannot be fulfilled at the original intended website price we will offer you a 100% refund, no questions asked. We will continue to do our best to maintain updated prices and we will always continue to offer our price match guarantees as well to ensure our prices are always the best for you. In short, prices may change without notice. It is always advised to give us a call prior to placing your order online to confirm availability and to confirm current pricing.

Shipping Policy

Items that are in stock in the US, either at Bulletproof’s warehouse or at a supplier’s warehouse, are generally delivered within 7-10 days. Special order items from overseas take considerably longer. As a courtesy Bulletproof offers delivery estimates to our customers which take into consideration manufacturer availability and shipping schedule. These estimates represent our best guess based on previous orders from the manufacturer and do not in any way imply a guaranteed delivery window. Many manufacturers work in a “just in time” inventory system and often take 2-20+ weeks to produce an item once an order is submitted. All deliverable items are then sent to our Japanese warehouse. Bulletproof ships a minimum of one full ocean freight container every month from Japan, oftentimes more than one a month. Ocean freight takes an average of 4 weeks. Typically it breaks down to one week in Japan for paperwork and customs, two weeks by boat and one week in US customs/clearance. Due to the wide number of variables between manufacturer and shipping schedules, delivery estimates are simply just that – estimates. We attempt to estimate conservatively and we usually deliver faster than our estimates suggest. It is not Bulletproof’s policy to guarantee delivery time of any special order item, this is impossible for us to do. By ordering you acknowledge that there is no required delivery ETA and an order may not be canceled or altered due to manufacturing or shipping delays, all ETA’s are provided as a best guess only. Please review the full Terms & Conditions here.

BP Pricing Difference

We do pricing a little differently on our JDM brands and we believe in making things simple and clear. No hidden fees or surcharges. Every price you see includes the shipping cost to our office in Los Angeles, California and all the associated taxes/duties/fees for bringing the products into the US. The only shipping you ever pay is from our facility in the US to your location. Be wary of resellers that don’t include the cost of international shipping in their pricing on JDM parts. While we believe we’ll always have the lowest all-in price on JDM products, we offer a price match guarantee for all authentic parts purchased from authorized dealers as well. For many international customers, it’s much more affordable to ship from the USA than from Japan directly, as the air freight and ocean freight costs are typically much less. However, for customers looking to ship directly from Japan outside of North America, or domestically in Japan, we can provide pricing specifically for that scenario. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any pricing questions or concerns. Please email us at sales@bulletproofautomotive.com with any inquiries.

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SPL Parts Adjustable Bumpsteer Tie Rod Ends for 98x / 99x / 718 Porsche 911 / Boxster / Cayman [SPLTRE996]

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SPL Parts Adjustable Bumpsteer Tie Rod Ends for 98x / 99x / 718 Porsche 911 / Boxster / Cayman

Features

Specifications

Applications

Notes

Frequently Asked Questions

About SPL Parts

Reviews