New idea on torsion bar foam seal?

[911 Rod]

I need to replace these as they are shot. They don't work very well with polybronz bushings because the pressure of the grease pushes right past them.
Has anyone come up with anything better? Big ass o ring?

[ninelevenick]

I used car battery terminal post felt pads. Worked like a treat.

[911tracker85]

hmmm dont recall these on my 78 SC. where do they go? in the process of reassembling my suspension front and rear.

[piscator]

Didn't find these on my '79 either. What do they do?

Robert

[911 Rod]

The adjustment caps on the back end of the front torsion bars.
Seal goes under the caps.

[David]

How about the front bushing of the front torsion bars? It's wide open especially if you replace the original tow hooks with the Rennline hooks. I was thinking about stuffing some valve/pump packing in there but a foam ring might be better.

[911 SLANT]

David you should have a dust cap on front of A arm to protect front torsion bar. Maybe yours are missing

[jpnovak]

Neoprene sheet works well. Recycle an old mouse pad...

[911 Rod]

Originally Posted by jpnovak

Neoprene sheet works well. Recycle an old mouse pad...

Not springy enough. Maybe use foam?
$5.00 each from Porsche is starting to sound cheap.

[mnez]

Exactly what I did. The foam ring fit right in and I added some grease to the foam to help repel water. Covers are gone, replaced with Rennline tow hooks. Been there for several years, working perfectly.

Originally Posted by David

How about the front bushing of the front torsion bars? It's wide open especially if you replace the original tow hooks with the Rennline hooks. I was thinking about stuffing some valve/pump packing in there but a foam ring might be better.

[juanbenae]

Originally Posted by ninelevenick

I used car battery terminal post felt pads. Worked like a treat.

me too. they are to keep dust out, not so much to water proof.

[proporsche]

actually, the original foams were soaked with some kind oily compound so it was semi- waterproof...it was on every 911 but mechanic were lazy to put them back from my experience;-)

Ivan

[911 Rod]

Originally Posted by proporsche

actually, the original foams were soaked with some kind oily compound so it was semi- waterproof...it was on every 911 but mechanic were lazy to put them back from my experience;-)

Ivan

And they had completely fallen apart like mine.

[proporsche]

yup ,they will in 25-30 years they do go bad;-) I wonder how long those from nowadays will last;-)?

Ivan

[911 Rod]

I took mine off as I'm doing a major cleaning.
Doubt they will ever come off again.

[Lyle O]

The stock material is an open-cell foam; it's more of a sponge/filter than a seal. If you want a better "seal", you need either a closed-cell foam (think water pipe insulation extrusions), or solid rubber.

[juanbenae]

Originally Posted by proporsche

actually, the original foams were soaked with some kind oily compound so it was semi- waterproof...it was on every 911 but mechanic were lazy to put them back from my experience;-)

Ivan

most foam based air filters are oiled to aid in capturing and holding dust. im not saying there is no advantage to them in regards to water intrusion, but as I recall they are referred to as dust seals. I agree that them being oiled will also help in repelling water. unoiled they might catch and hold water which as we all get is the worst possible case scenario.

[proporsche]

yup ,good point no wonder the torsion bars were powder coated;-)and they squeak once they are worn out;-)

Ivan

[911 Rod]

Originally Posted by proporsche

yup ,good point no wonder the torsion bars were powder coated;-)and they squeak once they are worn out;-)

Ivan

No squeaking with the mess of grease from the polybronze bushings.