REPLACING 996 REAR SPOILER BELLOWS

Contributed by R.A. Gastaldo

23 AUGUST 2006


Ripped bellows easily can be separated reducing tension between the upper and lower retaining bars before removing them.


  • The retaining bar holding the upper bellows flange is secured by two plastic push rivets, one on each end. These must be removed.
  • Drill out the center plastic push pin.
  • Although obvious, take care in using a drill bit near the paint.
  • Once rivets are removed at each end, grasp the metal bar and shift it (push it) to the right.

NOTE: The bar is designed with hooked flanges (see below) that hold the bar in place against the inside engine cover. By shifting it to the right, you will disengage the flanges from their seating.

  • Remove the retaining bar.

The lower bellows is secured to the engine lid by a metal bar that is to the interior of the bellows. This photograph was taken after ripping apart the old bellows. Normally, the lower metal bar would not be visible; the bellows block the view.

The bottom of the bellows also is held in place by a metal retaining bar. This bar has pins that project downwards and are secured with round snap nuts in the engine lid. There are eight (8) snap nuts that must be removed (four [4] are shown in the image to the right). One snap nut is beneath the fan assembly.
  • Although obvious, use care in removal of the snap nuts due to possible paint marring.
  • As you remove them, put these in a safe place (container) as they are easily dropped during extraction.

NOTE: If you lose a snap nut, it may be possible to find a near equivalent at your local body shop. But, these probably will not be metric. There is a close English equivalent hole diameter.

  • Using a 10 mm ratchet wrench, remove the three (3) hex-head bolts that hold the fan to the engine lid.
  • Remove the snap nut beneath the fan assembly. There is no need to remove the fan assembly.

The upper metal retaining bar is pictured with the flanges facing up, as they will be reinstalled. The lower metal retaining bar is pictured with pins facing down, as it will be reinstalled.

This image shows the design of the upper retaining bar flange.

  • The 7-shaped (or question-mark shaped) flanges of the upper retaining bar are inserted through the new bellows and then into the rectangular openings in the lid.
  • Once all flanges are inserted, the bar is pushed to the left to secure the flanges.

  • Porsche part 999.591.712.40 - 996 Rear Spoiler Bellow Rivet. Requires 2.
  • The rivets that secure the ends of the upper retaining bar are inserted through the bar, then the elliptical opening in the bellows, and then the engine lid.
  • Once inserted, push the central pin inwards to open the petals and secure the rivet in place.

NOTE: It may take some adjustment of the bellows right or left to align the holes before the rivets are inserted and secured.

Insert the lower metal bar through the holes in the bellows, and then place the pins through the holes in the engine lid to be secured by the snap nuts.

Note that in the photograph to the right that the bellows have been turned upwards to show the pins in the metal bar (lower metal piece; pins appear as white dome structured) inserted through the bellows. When completing this step, the retaining bar will not be visible because it will be on the inside of the bellows.

  • Replace the round snap nuts onto each pin that projects downwards.
  • Replace the fan assembly on the engine lid using the 3-10 mm hex-head bolts.
  • Test the assembly by using the spoiler switch to the left of the clutch pedal.


An estimate of time for bellows replacement ranges between 30 minutes to 1 hour. The actual time to complete the job depends upon:

DISCLAIMER: I cannot take responsibility for any problems that may arise in the application of the thoughts and instructions that are contained herein. The degree of difficulty associated with this procedure is relatively “low”.