Front suspension issues

[Ant67]

Hi guys, my 1967 911 has started to have an issue with the drivers side front suspension locking up.

I noticed it on Friday whilst driving home it was skitish, then I pressed down on the wing and it didn't budge. I had a look underneath and couldn't see anything wrong, I bounced on it a few times and it was OK (passed tech inspecton that morning).

Driving home tonight it;s done the same thing. Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks a lot
Ant

[echrisconnor]

Not sure if your suspension is locking up or your brakes locking up - either one may apply.

I've battled this problem on and off for a while. I rebuilt my brakes and swapped rubber lines, however that still didn't change the problem. Turns out it's a dead front strut They're very difficult to diagnose in the car since even when they're marginal->shot the front-end doesn't bounce.

I'd first bleed my brakes and make sure you don't have a sticky caliper or bad line, but after that look to your struts.

Good luck!

[Ant67]

Thanks for the response.

How would the brakes locking up be causing the suspension to not move on that side? Genuinley confused

Thanks

ant

[echrisconnor]

Sorry if I confused you further. I wasn't certain what was locking up. My previous issue was with the brakes locking up under hard braking. This made the car funky slowing from speed. As it turned out it was a dead strut which also was affecting normal driving.

So, is your front suspension binding and will not move up and down freely? You say you pushed down on the wing and it didn't budge... Are you trying a bounce test and are unable to press down on the car?

Can you describe any of the skitish symptoms you're experiencing? Is this a sudden onset thing? Have you made any recent changes or had any greetings with solid stationery objects?

[Zeke]

I would be suspicious of the shock absorber insert. You say you DE'd the car that day? May have destroyed an older insert. I have one that lost some oil and it behaves strangely. I purchases replacements but haven't put then in yet. I know that doesn't help you, but get that insert out and test it or have it tested.

I also have a rear that got a dent in it which destroyed the travel action. This is unlikely with the concealed fronts, but I thought I'd throw that in.

[na2ub]

Check the front strut / insert for fluid leakage??

[Zeke]

Well, just check it. If you find leakage, you know you have a problem. But if you have no leakage, there might still be a problem with the shock. By checking, I mean work it in and out with an extension bar or put it on a shock dyno.

BTW, a lot has been said about oil in the strut tube. When I checked my shocks, I found oil and I wasn't concerned. Turns out that oil could be from the shock or it could have been put in there to keep the shock cooler by providing a thermal transport medium to the exterior. So, you really need to mechanically check out the shock whether you see oil of not.

[vash]

ok, if you bounce on the front of the car, is it supposed to be tight as all get out? there is a 911 by my office, i wish i could go and bounce on that one for reference

how much does..say a 200 pound person deflect the front? 1 inch?

cliff

[Ant67]

Well when I push down (ie bounce test) the passenger side it deflects about 3 inches and rises straight back up with no bounce, the drivers side did do this unilt recently.

The only thing I did was to move the drivers side top mount back slightly as it had less castor on that side.

I'll take the shock out and have a look, if it's locked solid I'll know pretty quickly shock dyno or not.

Thanks guys I'll report my findings.

[vash]

oh sheet! mine only bumps about 1".

[ubiquity0]

I couldn't move mine more than 1".

[vash]

phew! those cars are tight!

[Ant67]

An inch?

I guess the later cars had much stiffer front ends then.