 Front Suspension rebuilding, My front end is SHOT!!! |
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
| Jaiden |
 Feb 3 2006, 07:52 AM
Post
#1
|
|
Member  Group: Members Posts: 346 Joined: 13-January 05 From: Stroudsburg PA Member No.: 3,443  |
Hey all,
After finally getting back to the states I had a chance to start going through my To Do list for the teener. Well that list just got allot longer (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/headbang.gif) THe whole front end is shot and will need a bunch of work. Anyone willing to discuss options? Replace what's there or swap out the front end? Also any tips on dropping the front end? I figure that it's easier to work on the suspension when it's out from under the car. So 2 ball joints 2 tierod ends and struts at a minimum. Yikes Attached thumbnail(s) 
|
   |
 
|
  |
Replies(1 - 19)
| Jaiden |
Feb 3 2006, 07:58 AM
Post
#2
|
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 346 Joined: 13-January 05 From: Stroudsburg PA Member No.: 3,443 |
Last pic. SOrry for the size the rest of the pics are in my Blog.
Passenger side Attached thumbnail(s) 
|
|
|
|
| mike_the_man |
Feb 3 2006, 08:00 AM
Post
#3
|
|
I like stuff! Group: Members Posts: 1,338 Joined: 11-June 03 From: Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada Member No.: 809 |
Ball joints and tie rods aren't too tought. Alot of people will probably recommend you go with Turbo tie rods. As far as shocks go, Konis seem to be the best, although I have Bilsteins and I like them. Also, I see that you have brackets for a front sway bar, but it doesn't look like you have one installed. Might as well get one of those, as it will tighten up the front end a fair bit.
If you're going in this far, you might as well replace the bushings as well. You have a few options here. The ultimate is Mueller's roller bearings, but they're $$. You could also get poly bushings which will be pretty stiff, but will probably make your car squeek over bumps. Then theres always stock bushings. As far as lowering the car, it's easy. When everything is back together, you just need to crank the bolts on the torsion bar end caps. If you do a search for lowering, I'm sure you'll find everything you need to know. I just did this all last summer. It's not a bad job, and assuming nothing breaks, you should be able to get it done in a weekend pretty easy. |
|
|
|
| Jaiden |
Feb 3 2006, 09:59 AM
Post
#4
|
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 346 Joined: 13-January 05 From: Stroudsburg PA Member No.: 3,443 |
What are the costs associated with rebuilding a front end?
|
|
|
|
| tat2dphreak |
Feb 3 2006, 10:10 AM
Post
#5
|
|
stoya, stoya, stoya Group: Benefactors Posts: 8,797 Joined: 6-June 03 From: Wylie, TX Member No.: 792 Region Association: Southwest Region  |
I went back with stock tie rods... it's really not that expensive to do ball joints and tie rods... maybe $100 for all 4 pieces.
shop around prices, I think I got the ball joints from paragon, and the tie rods from pelican... or vice versa... I got used Konis for about 125, IIRC. but Bilstiens are fine too... if I would have had to buy new, I would have gone Bilstien for the price... Bils are fine for street cars... Paragon has good price on the poly bushinggs too... |
|
|
|
| Dr Evil |
Feb 3 2006, 10:36 AM
Post
#6
|
|
Send me your transmission! Group: Members Posts: 23,000 Joined: 21-November 03 From: Loveland, OH 45140 Member No.: 1,372 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region 
|
Hey Neighbor,
I may have some spare good parts for ya. What year is your car? If you want some info and help I am not too far away. I just did my front end and it is not all that hard. PM me if ya like. Mike |
|
|
|
| Dr Evil |
Feb 3 2006, 10:43 AM
Post
#7
|
|
Send me your transmission! Group: Members Posts: 23,000 Joined: 21-November 03 From: Loveland, OH 45140 Member No.: 1,372 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
|
I see a problem in your future (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/sad.gif) One of your struts is late model and one is early. This will make ordering ball joints more interesting as you will need one of each. I think I have a good old one that was installed, but not used. If I were you I would change the other strut over to a late model one with the swedge pin. They are much nicer in the long run. I'll bet you could pick up the strut for nothing from one of the members. I have seen this problem often.
Oh ya, soak your nuts and bolts now, and often. It will make life much easier in the future. I like to use penetrating oil, but anything should work that is designed to loosen rusty fasteners. |
|
|
|
| Eric_Shea |
Feb 3 2006, 11:02 AM
Post
#8
|
||
|
PMB Performance Group: Admin Posts: 19,275 Joined: 3-September 03 From: Salt Lake City, UT Member No.: 1,110 Region Association: Rocky Mountains  |
Looks like two early's to me. Maybe you're looking at a front vs. a back shot. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/confused24.gif) Here's what I would do... Yank that puppy. Call around and find a local sandblaster and tell him they're VW parts (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif) Turbo Tie Rods Koni or Bilstein Inserts Zero-Rust or POR-15 everything before you throw it back together. New bolts Elephant PolyBronze -or- MUELLERS roller bearings (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/w00t.gif) -or- Standard Welts (your wallet will dictate) New sponge washers for the t-bars Check the t-bars for wear and rust Alignment Enjoy I've done a bunch of these and I was always pleased with the results. The sandblaster will make a world of difference. You don't have to be a CW to basically get it back to new and start over... it's been 34 years since that stuff had a nice coat of protective paint. I have a set of new style struts if you want to upgrade... problem is, you'll need new rotors and new calipers as well. |
||
|
|
|
||
| Eric_Shea |
Feb 3 2006, 11:04 AM
Post
#9
|
|
PMB Performance Group: Admin Posts: 19,275 Joined: 3-September 03 From: Salt Lake City, UT Member No.: 1,110 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
Forgot... by all means, attach a sway bar to those U-Tabs while you're in there. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif)
|
|
|
|
| Dr Evil |
Feb 3 2006, 11:19 AM
Post
#10
|
|
Send me your transmission! Group: Members Posts: 23,000 Joined: 21-November 03 From: Loveland, OH 45140 Member No.: 1,372 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
|
Eric,
Picture one shows the head of a bolt and more metal where the strut attaches to the ball joint (early style), not a nut. Picture two shows no head of a bolt, at the same index, but you can make out the recessed wedge pin from a later style. I don't believe that the rotors and other gear need to be replaced as the bottom ball joint coupling part was all that was differnt on mine when I swapped them. The spindle was the same. |
|
|
|
| Dr Evil |
Feb 3 2006, 11:23 AM
Post
#11
|
|
Send me your transmission! Group: Members Posts: 23,000 Joined: 21-November 03 From: Loveland, OH 45140 Member No.: 1,372 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
|
Nevermind about what I said abou thte rotors, I just remembered about the rotor thing, I got the rotors with the front end so I never had to worry about it.
Jaden, Give one914racer a PM and see if he still has the front end pars that I gave him. He may have a strut with a good rotor on it and all you will need is to replace the bearings probably. |
|
|
|
| mack914 |
Feb 3 2006, 11:25 AM
Post
#12
|
|
Member Group: Members Posts: 387 Joined: 5-July 04 From: Toledo, Oh Member No.: 2,306 |
I would scrape the whole thing and put a 911 front end on. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smash.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/mueba.gif)
|
|
|
|
| tat2dphreak |
Feb 3 2006, 11:36 AM
Post
#13
|
||
|
stoya, stoya, stoya Group: Benefactors Posts: 8,797 Joined: 6-June 03 From: Wylie, TX Member No.: 792 Region Association: Southwest Region |
except that is $500 + rebuilding usually, + wheels and rebuilding a -4 front end is about $100... |
||
|
|
|
||
| Mueller |
Feb 3 2006, 12:12 PM
Post
#14
|
|
914 Freak! Group: Members Posts: 17,146 Joined: 4-January 03 From: Antioch, CA Member No.: 87 Region Association: None
|
I'm pretty much doing exactly what Eric recommends except I'm using my roller bearings instead of bushings (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/MDB2.gif)
The advice on swapping over to the later style struts is good advice as well, later on down the road you could always upgrade to the billet front hubs to run vented rotors on the 4-lug setup (you'll have 911 brakes without the extra cost of 5-lug rims and rear conversion (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smile.gif) ) If you do keep your front struts, make sure to inspect the spindles, I've seen a few sets that the bearings are too loose due to wear and are unsafe to use.... |
|
|
|
| Eric_Shea |
Feb 3 2006, 12:34 PM
Post
#15
|
|
PMB Performance Group: Admin Posts: 19,275 Joined: 3-September 03 From: Salt Lake City, UT Member No.: 1,110 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
(fixed)
|
|
|
|
| Eric_Shea |
Feb 3 2006, 12:39 PM
Post
#16
|
||
|
PMB Performance Group: Admin Posts: 19,275 Joined: 3-September 03 From: Salt Lake City, UT Member No.: 1,110 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/blink.gif) To me, pic #2 just shows the end of that bolt you see in pic one, that's what I meant by backside... Hell I don't know. I'm looking at it on my laptop. Let me check with a better monitor. |
||
|
|
|
||
| Dr Evil |
Feb 3 2006, 03:14 PM
Post
#17
|
|
Send me your transmission! Group: Members Posts: 23,000 Joined: 21-November 03 From: Loveland, OH 45140 Member No.: 1,372 Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
|
911 would be nice, I did it, but then you would need to change your rears to match the 5 lug.
Eric, If pic two were just showing the otehr side of the bolt you see in pic 1, how would you tighten said bolt? With t a nut? Not present (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif) Also, if they were of the same side, then you would have one side with two steering arms on it (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/ohmy.gif) Freaky. Low res, good one. I'll have to remmeber that (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wink.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/rolleyes.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif) Just messing with ya. |
|
|
|
| rhodyguy |
Feb 3 2006, 03:33 PM
Post
#18
|
|
Chimp Sanctuary NW. Check it out. Group: Members Posts: 22,080 Joined: 2-March 03 From: Orion's Bell. The BELL! Member No.: 378 Region Association: Galt's Gulch |
a bumpsteer kit of you plan on lowering it, cheap. weit bushings, the cheapest way to go, you get what you pay for. after you figure out what you going to do with regards to the ball joints, just order new new pins/bolts at the same time. add in an alignment. then...you'll prob decide to get a corner balance while you're in there. so you need to decide which type of strut/shock/springs to get so you don't pay for the corner balance twice. gonna stiffen things up a bit, plan on new torsion bars for the front. brace yourself for the costs. do it right (the first time). you're gonna spend a grand, unless you scrounge a bunch of used stuff. then you are sort of where you started. oh yeah, new wheel bearings, grease seals. new rotors? new pads...it never ends. yrmv.
k |
|
|
|
| Eric_Shea |
Feb 3 2006, 07:32 PM
Post
#19
|
||
|
PMB Performance Group: Admin Posts: 19,275 Joined: 3-September 03 From: Salt Lake City, UT Member No.: 1,110 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
Ya gotz me all wrong Sister... I'm a little dense but what I was 'attempting' to say is; The head of the bolt in pic #2 is on the other side of the strut (hence, ya can't see it... you only see the end of the bolt), not that pic #2 is the backside of pic #1 (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/blink.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/huh.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wacko.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/unsure.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smoke.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/laugh.gif) |
||
|
|
|
||
| Eric_Shea |
Feb 3 2006, 07:38 PM
Post
#20
|
|
PMB Performance Group: Admin Posts: 19,275 Joined: 3-September 03 From: Salt Lake City, UT Member No.: 1,110 Region Association: Rocky Mountains |
DaveP...
Did we ever figure out that strut/caliper/rotor thing? I'm still unclear if the struts could interchange with a early/late model rotor, as long as you have a early/late model caliper to port over with the rotor...? I have some late struts laying around here in a box... but no early ones to compare with. Anyone?? (besides Mike, because he's obviously imported a bunch of that California 'cannabis sativa' with him to the Keystone state) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/lol3.gif) (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/smoke.gif) |
|
|
|
|
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:
|
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 19th May 2024 - 08:33 PM |
Invision Power Board
v9.1.4 © 2024 IPS, Inc.