Galled spindle on '86 BOGE strut..is it scrap?

[amorgenthau]

Hi,

Doing a suspension refresh on my 1986 911 Carrera Targa 3.2 with 123K miles and have spindle galling on the outer bearing surface of the Passenger side BOGE strut. The Driver side spindle shows wear...but not galling. The bearing inner race shows some evidence of spinning also.

This 911 is a summertime cruiser only, never on the track.

I'm thinking this strut is scrap and preparing to replace both struts with new Bilsteins from our host....unless someone knows of a way to restore this BOGE spindle.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[Tyson Schmidt]

The test is to replace the bearing, install the hub, and check for free-play. If You grab the top and bottom of the wheel and get no slop, you're fine.

You can bench test by checking the free-play of a new bearing on the spindle. Should be snug.

[amorgenthau]

Thanks Tyson,

I will check for play with the new bearings I have ordered, per your suggestion, and go from there. My struts are on the bench so will check with just the new bearings and hub. Hopefully, there’s no slop and the galling is just cosmetic.

Thanks again,
Al

[r lane]

As a shop owner might say, that is something that I will do on my car, but definitely not on a customers. Have to wonder how badly weakened is the spindle. Looks badly scored, means a lot of heat.

[Trackrash]

I don't see any indication of heat. Meaning yellow or blue discoloration. Of course it is hard to tell in the picture. I agree with Tyson.

To be sure, you could take off the other side and compare.