Rubber bushing install, A cautionary tale…. |
|
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG.
This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way. Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners. |
|
Rubber bushing install, A cautionary tale…. |
boiledcabbage |
Sep 30 2021, 09:46 AM
Post
#1
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 50 Joined: 23-May 05 From: Ottawa, Canada Member No.: 4,131 |
So - thought this would be easy - as a relative newbie would - but
1. Watched all the good videos, ordered the kit from 914rubber 2.thought I could remove the wedge bolt easier than the ball joint collar below - no amount of praying, swearing, pb blaster, and “tapping” worked so tried heat.- ended up cooking the ball joint. 3. Ordered a new ball joint and bolt, but had to remove the strut completely to bring to a machine shop to remove the old wedge bolt- no charge!!! Who does that anymore? 4. Managed to snap a brake line while removing the caliper so ordered new. And since I could not separate the tie rod end bought the appropriate tool which worked well. 5.Needed a 24inch (yes 24inch) pipe wrench after 3 days of pb blaster to remove the collar and free the old ball joint. 6.Used Ian karrs excellent video procedure to remove and install new bushings in the carrier - as luck would have it for the front install my threaded rod stripped halfway thru the install leaving my rapidly cooling bushing stuck only half on… 7.Fortunately by holding the a arm and stuck bushing/carrier upright and holding it in boiling water for ten minutes to reheat itI was able to re-do it successfully. Opposite side of car went much smoother. 8. Result? Much improved suspension, somewhat of a PITA but learned a lot, had fun. |
76-914 |
Sep 30 2021, 10:25 AM
Post
#2
|
Repeat Offender & Resident Subaru Antagonist Group: Members Posts: 13,498 Joined: 23-January 09 From: Temecula, CA Member No.: 9,964 Region Association: Southern California |
Sounds perfectly normal for "penalties in the learning curve". On a brighter note: Now that you've done this you can call yourself an expert like the rest of us! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/av-943.gif)
|
windforfun |
Sep 30 2021, 10:37 AM
Post
#3
|
Senior Member Group: Members Posts: 1,780 Joined: 17-December 07 From: Blackhawk, CA Member No.: 8,476 Region Association: None |
Right on. Mission accomplished.
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beerchug.gif) |
burlybryan |
Sep 30 2021, 10:50 AM
Post
#4
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 102 Joined: 25-May 20 From: Saint Paul Member No.: 24,311 Region Association: None |
On any car, I always plan to replace ball joints when doing any suspension work that requires removal of the A-arm. They never survive removal. Heat is always required.
|
iankarr |
Sep 30 2021, 10:55 AM
Post
#5
|
The wrencher formerly known as Cuddy_K Group: Members Posts: 2,472 Joined: 22-May 15 From: Heber City, UT Member No.: 18,749 Region Association: Intermountain Region |
Congrats! I call that "tuition" (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wink.gif). Each time you tackle something, your knowledge base and confidence grows. Yes, it's sometimes a PITA, but the satisfaction of getting it done is worth it. Plus, these days it's so hard to find anyone to work on a car, even with all the hiccups you'll probably be on the road sooner.
Quick tip - for heat, you definitely want MAPP or hotter. These old cars laugh at the sight of a plain ol propane torch. |
Mikey914 |
Sep 30 2021, 10:58 AM
Post
#6
|
The rubber man Group: Members Posts: 12,660 Joined: 27-December 04 From: Hillsboro, OR Member No.: 3,348 Region Association: None |
Yes, this is not an easy journey. I just did the tie rod ends and ball joints. I'll go back and visit the bushings on this car later as they seemed ok for now. Figured I'd space my battles out a bit. I'll tell you the ball joints were a real pain too. I'm going to start stocking the tool for these as there is no way you will ever get the nut off without it.
Congratulations, you can now enjoy a much improved ride. I know that mine has improved. SIGNIFICANTLY. There was a little wobble at about 55. I can see why now. Also learned another lesson. Somehow we got a brand U part for the ball joints. Didn't know this at 1st, but went to install, got it all the way in and was putting the washer on and this literally fell off in my hand. So to all of those that are doing this. Use the LEMFÖRDER ones. Now the only ones we sell. And if any of you have had this issue please return them to me. Sometimes it's not clear who makes what when they are parts we don't make. Attached thumbnail(s) |
Superhawk996 |
Sep 30 2021, 11:09 AM
Post
#7
|
914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,803 Joined: 25-August 18 From: Woods of N. Idaho Member No.: 22,428 Region Association: Galt's Gulch |
Item #5. Right tools makes it a 30 second job.
The problem with the pipe wrench approach is that a pipe wrench compresses & binds inward on the threads the harder you pull the wrench. This effectively makes it harder to turn the castle ring. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif) The right tool applies rotational torque to the non-threaded portion of the ring - loosening it witout applying compressive forces to the threads. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) |
914Sixer |
Sep 30 2021, 11:43 AM
Post
#8
|
914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 8,879 Joined: 17-January 05 From: San Angelo Texas Member No.: 3,457 Region Association: Southwest Region |
A major tip I learned from old timer (me now, lol) was to install the ball joint on to the strut FIRST then install pin or bolt. By doing that you can rotate the joint to ANY position you need to put tang into control arm. Line the joint up and compress arm. Makes work easy for me. I recommend the factory tool for the job and a 1/2 in impact.
|
930cabman |
Sep 30 2021, 12:22 PM
Post
#9
|
Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 3,052 Joined: 12-November 20 From: Buffalo Member No.: 24,877 Region Association: North East States |
A major tip I learned from old timer (me now, lol) was to install the ball joint on to the strut FIRST then install pin or bolt. By doing that you can rotate the joint to ANY position you need to put tang into control arm. Line the joint up and compress arm. Makes work easy for me. I recommend the factory tool for the job and a 1/2 in impact. Would that be called work smarter, not harder? |
maf914 |
Sep 30 2021, 03:42 PM
Post
#10
|
Not a Guru! Group: Members Posts: 3,049 Joined: 30-April 03 From: Central Florida Member No.: 632 Region Association: None |
|
Superhawk996 |
Sep 30 2021, 04:28 PM
Post
#11
|
914 Guru Group: Members Posts: 5,803 Joined: 25-August 18 From: Woods of N. Idaho Member No.: 22,428 Region Association: Galt's Gulch |
What kind of socket is that and where can it be purchased? Baum P280b There are cheaper alternatives from some guy on Samba. Maybe someone can dig that one up. This guy http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...13968&st=20 |
Mikey914 |
Sep 30 2021, 06:33 PM
Post
#12
|
The rubber man Group: Members Posts: 12,660 Joined: 27-December 04 From: Hillsboro, OR Member No.: 3,348 Region Association: None |
We are bringing these in and will be stocking will be less than $30.
There are a few different variations we tried a cheap on that failed the one that worked wasn't much more so I actually bought both with the idea of testing. Good thing we did. Will have this next week. Mark |
L-Jet914 |
Sep 30 2021, 11:14 PM
Post
#13
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 237 Joined: 24-October 12 From: Davis, CA Member No.: 15,080 Region Association: Northern California |
It looks like Baum Tools updated their P280B tool to impact steel. I ordered one from my local Matco tool supplier Baum brand. I have the machined chrome version. I am gathering parts to do my tie rods thanks to 914Rubber for supplying the Lemforder tie rods etc. I bet my control arm bushings are due but one step at a time haha.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/cdn8.pelicanparts.com-15080-1633065248.1.jpg) |
Mikey914 |
Oct 1 2021, 08:46 AM
Post
#14
|
The rubber man Group: Members Posts: 12,660 Joined: 27-December 04 From: Hillsboro, OR Member No.: 3,348 Region Association: None |
Don't forget these bad boys. we have the rebuild kit if you want to do them too.
https://914rubber.com/rebuilt-eye-bolt-set-1 Mine fell apart when I changed out the tie rod ends |
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 12th May 2024 - 08:06 PM |
All rights reserved 914World.com © since 2002 |
914World.com is the fastest growing online 914 community! We have it all, classifieds, events, forums, vendors, parts, autocross, racing, technical articles, events calendar, newsletter, restoration, gallery, archives, history and more for your Porsche 914 ... |