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Posted by: Lawrence914-6 Jun 17 2003, 01:44 PM

This job gets worse and worse. I think disassembling with a sawzall would be easier.

- I broke the two hard brake lines on the left side.
- I broke the tie rod end on the left side.
- Steel sleeve on the drop link bushing was frozen to the thru-bolt. I broke the U-tab on the A-arm trying to free it up. All the sway bar bolts on the left side are frozen solid.
- I tore the ball joint boot, and dented the metal beneath. The strut still doesn't want to come off. I may go rent a pickle tool.
- Somehow, I tore the front wheel bearing seal.

I'm barely into the right side, and it's 86 degrees, no shade.

Posted by: mr914 Jun 17 2003, 02:00 PM

Welcome to Kansas... Beware of DE days in July....


My approach is to pre-treat older fittings with Kroil or Amsoil MP. And let it soak for a day or two.

Sometimes a little heat from a torch helps. I use one of the $40 self start propanes or a turbo torch lighter.

I've taken my 6 down with only 1 broken bolt.


You can't hurry rust.

Posted by: Lawrence914-6 Jun 17 2003, 02:22 PM

At this rate, this car won't be ready for any DEs in July.

Everything had been soaked for a week in PB Blaster. It looks as if I ever have to remove the sway bar, I'll have to just cut it off. The hex bolts in the bracket were stripped by the PO, as well - no room for a drill.

I need to quit whining and get back to work. Beer is gonna taste good tonight.

Posted by: Lawrence914-6 Jun 17 2003, 03:23 PM

Unbelieveable.

I just broke my hammer.

Posted by: airsix Jun 17 2003, 05:11 PM

See... There you go. At least it's nice and cool out. It's a chilly 97F here right now too.
Sorry about your hammer, etc. Some days you have to just take a break and clear you head 'cuz the harder you persist the worse it gets until you've cleared your mind and let the bolts soak overnight. It's like lifting weights - You get too frustrated and tired, then you start losing form and before you know it you start doing more damage than good.
-Ben M.

Posted by: tryan Jun 17 2003, 05:33 PM

you really have to laugh when life throws you a curve ball. sound like your front end needs a little care and feeding. get your revenge by replacing everything , then beat on the old parts with a bigger hammer.

grandma said.......10 % of life is what happens to you and 90 % is what you do about it.

Posted by: Mueller Jun 17 2003, 05:46 PM

Hey L,

I am going to print this out and keep it posted in my garage so that once I start to have problems, I can just read this and feel better....it's sorta like the blues.....


Hang in there buddy, and try not to throw or start hitting things with a hard object

(unless you have a wife like mine that felt sorry for my dumb ass when I smacked the 914 fender with the extension bar and decided to buy me my 911 )

Posted by: Lawrence914-6 Jun 17 2003, 06:33 PM

Yeah, maybe my Toolwench should read that.

I got the ball joints loose. Tore up the covers doing it. Time to wrestle the A-arms forward... they don't want to move either.

-Rusty

Posted by: Elliot Cannon Jun 17 2003, 06:41 PM

Hi Lawrence,
It sounds like you are becoming "one with the machine". I know it sometimes feels like this but soon it will be . Keep at it and you will feel great when it is finally done. Proper tools reduce the frustration level.
Cheers, Elliot

Posted by: Lawrence914-6 Jun 17 2003, 07:17 PM

Hi Elliot,

I have two projects that are virgin territory for me. This suspension is one of the two. An engine rebuild is the other.

Transmission? That's for folks with the special tool setups. I'll farm that work out.

-Rusty
back to work

Posted by: Bleyseng Jun 17 2003, 07:25 PM

Rusty, remember these are 30 year old cars that are rusted together. Try heat and tap the end of the bolts to free them up. Go slow, get the bolt to turn a tiny bit then hit it with more PB Blaster then turn it alittle more- slowly, Grasshopper.
Once the PB Blaster get in to the bolt it will free right up. I am still trying to teach my son these tricks besides snapping all the bolts and using easy outs.
Geoff

Posted by: Bruce Allert Jun 17 2003, 07:38 PM

Hey Geoff... That's "Glasshoppa"
bruce

Posted by: Lawrence914-6 Jun 17 2003, 08:41 PM

VICTORY!!!



I still need to pull the cross-member. The bolt is too tight, and I'm not going to snap the bastard off.

-Rusty

Posted by: Lawrence914-6 Jun 17 2003, 09:13 PM

Had to fix that picture link.

Now I'm in the market for new torsion bars!

Posted by: James Adams Jun 18 2003, 07:17 AM

What diameter are those t-bars? They don't look stock.

Posted by: Lawrence914-6 Jun 18 2003, 07:37 AM

21 mm.

Posted by: DNHunt Jun 18 2003, 08:25 AM

Rusty

You're scaring me to death. I've got that project plus rear suspension and some rust repair on line for this winter. Geoff has convinced me that my 30 year old suspension is about 10 years too old. Two things have me worried 1) how can I avoid the carnage of broken parts and 2) how do I fight off DWD.

I have to admit to a tendency to escalate BFHs and I also have a tendency to show a little temper. My solution is sometimes to hit it harder with a bigger hammer

I'm totally helpless when it comes to Dirk Wright disease, so I expect a budget just won't work. I've felt for you as your project has grown, but, at the same time, there's a certain thrill watching someone else spend their money. For what its worth you'll get to follow me secumb to the disease this fall

Hang in there

Dave

Posted by: Bleyseng Jun 18 2003, 08:48 AM

I think you guys should invest in a big brass hammer. Then you can hit stuff with it and it doesn't hurt the bolt or nut. The brass just dents slightly.

Dave, you just have to go slow cuz everything is rusted or frozen. I just did mine over the winter when I had the time to go slow.

Rusty, the parts don't look too bad. I would have thought they would all be rusted solid. Should clean up nice and powder coat nicely! Post the pics when done.
What size Tbars are you going to run now? 22mm? Remember when installing tbars there is a right and left!!!


Geoff

Posted by: Gint Jun 18 2003, 09:16 AM

Geoff is right. Doing the project in the winter when you have lots of time will produce good results. Suspension work is generally a PITA no matter what vehicle your working on. Take your time, take it slow, make your expectations/timeline realistic. I've done the work Rusty is doing right now. It took two months to get it all done. I missed a good number of ski days that winter. But my stress level was relatively low because of the length of time I took to do the project.

Go boys!

Here's a pic of the former car's suspension. http://members.rennlist.com/gman/porsche/74_2.0/MVC-342F.JPG

Posted by: Gint Jun 18 2003, 09:20 AM

I should have just posted the pic.


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Posted by: Lawrence914-6 Jun 18 2003, 11:44 AM

I'm going to clean up the bars. If there is no severe pitting, then I'll keep them.

I still need to get that crossmember off. I may get a small propane torch to try and heat the bolt.

Posted by: GWN7 Jun 18 2003, 12:00 PM

Keep a fie extinguisher handy....just in case

Posted by: Pam Jun 18 2003, 12:14 PM

Oh for pity sake........you said the 'fire' word.

Now how am I supposed to enjoy 18 holes of golf this afternoon if I think Rusty is going to set himself on fire??? I'd already had to deal with the guilt of thinking of him toiling in the hot sun doing something with a crossmember while I was enjoying a cool refreshing adult beverage and enjoying the cool breeze of a golf cart.

I suggested the other day that he change his hobby to 'RIDING in antique roadsters' rather than restoring antique roadsters. It just seems like a lot less work.

-Pam aka NASCAR loving Toolwench

Posted by: Dman Jun 18 2003, 03:27 PM

This was my winter project that is just getting completed! It's amazing how these projects grow/change/mutate.


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Posted by: GWN7 Jun 18 2003, 04:36 PM

Pam,

After you have finished torturing yourself on the golf course, stop at your local hardware store and see if they have one of those portable garages/awnings for Rusty. That way he won’t be baking in the mid day sun.

Posted by: Gint Jun 18 2003, 04:49 PM

You might also want to pick an an extra fire extinguisher.

We need a fire ball smiley.

Posted by: Lawrence914-6 Jun 18 2003, 05:43 PM

I got the front struts bead blasted. Took me over two hours to get them good and clean. This included a solvent bath to get all the grease and oil off of them.

Total cost = 8 bucks.

I forgot to bring the brake shields in. I'll do those tomorrow with the A-arms. I still need to get the front bushings off.

Do you think they can be removed with a press, rather than burning? (To pacify the Toolwench, of course.)

Posted by: Gint Jun 18 2003, 07:09 PM

The front ones burn out easy. And it's kinda fun. The back ones don't. I'd torch the fronts and press the rears.

Posted by: seanery Jun 18 2003, 07:22 PM

Nice looking stuff DMAN!