Swapping entire front suspension(s) question ???

[fallingat120mph]

I have two 86 911s.

One has only 60,000 miles and was a single owner garage queen. This car was totaled after an accident but front suspension is in excellent condition.

The other car, my daily driver (now), has over 200,000 miles on it and is pretty much all original-very rough around the edges.

So, I have already swapped most interior parts and rear suspension which had been upgraded before the accident, dropped the engine to keep as a spare and am moving to the better condition front suspension.

My question is after researching(internet), and watching 1-2 videos on the internet is it possible to drop the entire suspension as one piece on an 86???

I have seen the front removed with the shocks attached and am hoping this is possible.

As stated I've removed the engine, fuel tank, rear suspension and various other hard parts, and it would be such a relief to know I can remove the front suspension with just a few steps.

I tried searching the forums and maybe I missed a thread on the topic. Any input is welcome as this is the last step in my transfer of parts to get back on the road.


Thank you for any thoughts or ideas.


Erik

[mepstein]

Yes, dropping it in one piece is the way to do it.

[rokemester]

Sure can! Here’s some proof.
Good luck with your swap. I did it solo, but a skilled helper would be nice. I wish I still had my 2 post lift!!

[fallingat120mph]

Originally Posted by rokemester

Sure can! Here’s some proof.
Good luck with your swap. I did it solo, but a skilled helper would be nice. I wish I still had my 2 post lift!!

Anyone with dropping experience how bad/hard are the bolts to remove?

I am looking at buying a new impact wrench and can't decide on the 3/8 for using on most everything to the 1/2 for harder jobs.

Feel like the 1/2 might be over kill and nothing a breaker bar can't take care of...


Looking at these for the Porsche and old Land Rovers repairs:

650lbs of "nut busting torque", per Milwaukee -
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-FUEL-Gen-2-18V-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-Mid-Torque-1-2-in-Impact-Wrench-w-Friction-Ring-Tool-Only-2962-20/313511878


250lbs of nut busting torque -
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwaukee-M18-FUEL-GEN-3-18V-Lithium-Ion-Brushless-Cordless-3-8-in-Compact-Impact-Wrench-with-Friction-Ring-Tool-Only-2854-20/313483106

The corrosion on my two 911's is not bad at all (both southern cars)...before I get started trying to line up tools.


Soaking all the nuts and bolts with penetrating oil over the weekend and ready to start Monday...

Again, thanks for the input!

Erik

[mike sampsel]

I’d get the more powerful one, suspect you can dial it down if need be. All the nuts/bolts to the suspension should be easy to remove. I needed an impact wrench to remove the backing plate for the brakes. Nice to spin just the nut. Otherwise all with hand held wrenches.

Oh and I removed my ball joint nuts with air wrench.
250 might not be enough here as they should be tightened to 250 #.

[fallingat120mph]

Originally Posted by mike sampsel

I’d get the more powerful one, suspect you can dial it down if need be. All the nuts/bolts to the suspension should be easy to remove. I needed an impact wrench to remove the backing plate for the brakes. Nice to spin just the nut. Otherwise all with hand held wrenches.

Oh and I removed my ball joint nuts with air wrench.
250 might not be enough here as they should be tightened to 250 #.

I am leaning on the more powerful one...just not sure I need that much power all the time.

Guess in the end I'll need to buy both!


Thanks!
Erik

[mepstein]

Porsche installed the front suspension as one unit when they were building the cars. It’s pretty easy to do, even by yourself.

The 3/8 will get used 95% of the time. The high torque 1/2” comes in handy for that last 5% but is a bit of a beast to use for all the times the 3/8 is the better form factor.
I have 6 different m12 & m18 impact wrenches and love them all for their intended use. But if I was only going to get one, it would be an m18 fuel compact with a 6 amp battery. Get long and short impact sockets and you will be set.

[fallingat120mph]

Originally Posted by rokemester

Sure can! Here’s some proof.
Good luck with your swap. I did it solo, but a skilled helper would be nice. I wish I still had my 2 post lift!!

Once past the struts any particular order of bolt removal you'd recommend? Does it matter?

Thanks for the photo - much appreciated.



Erik

[rokemester]

It’s been nearly 4 years since I did my suspension refresh so I don’t recall the exact order of disassembly. I did have many of my parts powder coated. The sway bar was tough to remove and even trickier to reassemble.