1987 - It's Suspension Refresh Time!

[Sajan]

Front passenger side is squeaking like an old pickup truck. Suspension is all original except for bilstein inserts/rear shocks 8 years / 8000 miles ago.

I figured it's time to refresh all the 33 year old rubber and make this baby new again.
Also planned is it to lower it down just a little bit. Taking it to Warren @ Rennsport in Sealy, TX.

Here's what I ordered. Please let me know if I missed anything.

From Elephant Racing:
Front Sway Bar Bushings
Ball Joint Hardware Kits
Control Arm Rubber Bushing Kit
Steering Rack Spacer Bump Steer Kit
Turbo Tie Rods
Spring Plate Rubber Bushing Kit
Spring Plate Hardware Kit
Rear Sway Bar Bushings

From Pelican:
Ball Joints (Lemforder)
Strut Insert - Bilstein B6 Performance Part #: 34-001141-M512
Shock Absorber - Bilstein B6 Performance Part #: 24-001694-M512

OEM Store
Strut Mounts
Sway Bar Links
Steel Cover - 900-040-008-01
Stabilizer Gasket - 901-341-475-00
Trailing arm bushings (had this in hand already)

Other items to fix while doing this:
Driver door stop
Driver side mirror motor
HVAC Blower Motor
New shift knob & cap
Seat Trim Cover 928-521-760-05-01C
Indicator Lamp 945-632-212-00 (i am really hope this is the 3 piece one)
Appbiz ultimate sound pad

Total hit to the wallet: $3150

I didn't order torsion bars. Told Warren to tell me if I need them once he inspects it.

Recently completed:
New OEM engine mounts
New Rennline transmission mounts
New Rennline engine bar

[Roswell]

How many miles on the car?

[Sajan]

Front suspension

[Sajan]

Originally Posted by roswell

how many miles on the car?

48,500

[Roswell]

Nice. I believe you got it covered.

[Sajan]

Other refreshments and repairs since I got the car 2 years ago. I have put 3500 miles on it.

Oil Change
Transmission Fluid Change to Mobil 1
Brake/Clutch Fluid Flush
Replace air filter

Distributor Cap & Rotor - Replace
Valve Adjustment, Spark Plugs, Valve Cover Gaskets
Axle Seals - Replace
Replace fuel filter
Adjust idle
Replace air flow meter
FOCUS 9 TECHNOLOGY SS RELAY

Griffiths Reliability Package AC system
Replace A/C Compressor

Replace Passenger Door Actuator
Horn ring on steering wheel & column

Adjust parking brake
Front Wheel bearings
4 New Tires

Window Tint, including windshield
Paint Correction
Front Paint Protection Film
Clean sunroof drains

[Pigeye]

Just did this myself on an 87. I’d post the pictures but forum doesn’t like iPads

[aoncurly]

I don't see camber plate rubber bushing replacement and bump steer kit on your list. Also, if your car was squeaking, make sure you check your torsion bars. They may be worn and might also need to be replaced.

Good luck.

[PFNog]

Might want to go with some rear sway bar mount reinforcements. I know my '87 needed them when I did my refresh.

Several options out there. I went with the WEVO's.

https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/WVORARB.htm?pn=WVO-RARB&utm_source=googleppc&utm_term=WVORARB&utm_campaign=Shopping+Feed&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvoS7kOrZ6QIVeB-tBh2KJw-1EAQYASABEgIIy_D_BwE

[chrismorse]

I’d recommend a steering rack overhaul. It has likely never been touched. Parts are cheap, unless you opt for the Quaife “quick” R and P. Also suggest a sealed lower bearing, rather than unsealed. IIRC, Red Dog Motorsports makes a replacement “Puck”.
Tom at Garage Time has a good short tutorial on the process.
chris

[stlrj]

Originally Posted by Roswell

How many miles on the car?

Originally Posted by Sajan

48,500

Hmmm... My 87 has 259,000 on original bushings and still handles fantastic. Oh yea, it did at one point develop a front end squeak (made me crazy for months) that turned out to be the left swaybar mount that tore off the front pan. Had the muffler shop weld it back on...that's it.

Nothing wrong with going nuclear, at least now you have an excuse, and at the same time, help the economy.

Cheers,
Joe
87 Carrera on original suspension

[Sajan]

Dropped off the car today. Excited!

Originally Posted by aoncurly

I don't see camber plate rubber bushing replacement and bump steer kit on your list. Also, if your car was squeaking, make sure you check your torsion bars. They may be worn and might also need to be replaced.

Good luck.

are these part of the top strut mounts? or do i need something else?

Originally Posted by chrismorse

I’d recommend a steering rack overhaul. It has likely never been touched. Parts are cheap, unless you opt for the Quaife “quick” R and P. Also suggest a sealed lower bearing, rather than unsealed. IIRC, Red Dog Motorsports makes a replacement “Puck”.
Tom at Garage Time has a good short tutorial on the process.
chris

Good call. Warren at rennsport is going to look at the steering rack while the front suspension is out.

Originally Posted by stlrj

Hmmm... My 87 has 259,000 on original bushings and still handles fantastic. Oh yea, it did at one point develop a front end squeak (made me crazy for months) that turned out to be the left swaybar mount that tore off the front pan. Had the muffler shop weld it back on...that's it.

Nothing wrong with going nuclear, at least now you have an excuse, and at the same time, help the economy.

Cheers,
Joe
87 Carrera on original suspension

that's amazing. my camry is at 230K miles with original suspension...
but sometimes you drive it for so long and get used to the way it handles, you forget what a new and refreshed suspension feels like.

[Sabai]

Nice..another 87' refresher checking in

[Sajan]

Originally Posted by Sabai

Nice..another 87' refresher checking in

what all did you get done? how is it? struts looking pretty

[aoncurly]

https://www.elephantracing.com/porsche/911/bushings-bearings-for-911/rubber-bushings/#camber-plate-rubber-bushing-kit

Yes, the camber plate bushings go on the top of the struts, inside the metal plates.

[Sajan]

Originally Posted by aoncurly

https://www.elephantracing.com/porsche/911/bushings-bearings-for-911/rubber-bushings/#camber-plate-rubber-bushing-kit

Yes, the camber plate bushings go on the top of the struts, inside the metal plates.

Oh yes, so since I got the OEM strut mounts, they are integrated in there.

[Sajan]

Quick question. Warren said he might have to drop the engine to get the sound pad in place (which makes replacing rear shocks easier also).
If the engine is dropped, what else should I look at? I searched around and found a few things. I don't want to add a ton of cost to this build so can someone prioritize this for me?

For sure I will get ahead of the triangle of death and also replace the fuel lines. What else should I address?

- throttle linkage bushings
- battery cable condition and insulation
- vacuum and breather hoses
- speed/reference sensors and CHT sensor
- intake gaskets, spacers
- cam tensioner oil lines
- oil cooler sealing rings
- replace the rubber skirting if needed
- check, clean-up the heater boxes

[Larmo63]

Check oil lines, rear main seal, flywheel, sport clutch?

[Larmo63]

I just did this on my car.....

[Sajan]

so in a predicted turn of events, engine is out of the car. couldn't loosen trailing arm bolts with engine in place. warren sent over some pics. treat me like an idiot...do things look okay with the engine pic?

the parking brake pad has cracks. looks like the torsion bar has some grooves.