Kermit is home! (my 72 911 T)

Andy Ring · 02-15-2004, 10:00 AM

Just have to share a picture of Kermit with you. I bought Kermit on Ebay about a year ago, but got no joy. It would not run for more than 5 minutes before cutting out. After resting for a couple minutes it would start up and run great for another five minutes. I tried changing the fuel pump, filter, etc. but to no avail. Then the clutch went too. Long story short, Kermit went to a professional wrench and I just got him back. The problem was eventually traced to crap in the gas tank.

Besides sharing my joy with you all, I noticed a new problem I'd like some advice on. There is a noise coming from the back left wheel. It's sort of a rumble and it gets worse at higher speeds. If I'm turning right it doesn't happen. If I go straight it sometimes happens, and when I turn left it gets loudest. What's the problem? CV joint? I'm hoping its something I can fix myself because I can't afford another trip to the mechanic right now. Also, can I drive it a little with the noise or am I risking bigger problems?

Thanks...

mjshira · 02-15-2004, 10:13 AM

Andy, send me a PM, where in NY are you?

James

toolman · toolman's Garage

I would bet on a wheel bearing too. Need a special puller to get the bearing out, but not difficult.

Andy Ring · 02-15-2004, 10:33 AM

Great. Do you guys know if replacing a wheel bearing is covered in 101 Projects? I don't have my copy in front of me. I have no idea how to do it, but I'd like to do it myself if possible.

Thanks, Andy

john_colasante · 02-15-2004, 10:38 AM

I saw that car at SM for a long time. Nice to see her back on the road.

Andy Ring · 02-15-2004, 12:33 PM

Yeah, the car was at SM since September. Got a new clutch and assorted other items. Since it was snowing, I wasn't in rush to get it back. I'm just beginning to get to know it. Basically rust free and unmolested, but it needs some TLC.

vash · vash's Garage

andy, nice car. i dont think wheel bearings are in wayne's book.

zotman72 · 02:47 PM

How did your '72T end up with a set of cookie cutter wheels? I have eight of those rims for track tires but they were not stock on a '72T. You should either have Fuchs or steel rims. I think the '73 was the first year for cookies.
When I first got my 72T going back in '93, I had the exact problem with the tank full of crud and rust. The fuel filter was full of rust and those filters are not cheap! I had to have the tank boiled and sealed up with epoxy, I suspect you did do the same. Anyway that is a fine color you have there, congrads. Rear wheel bearing job is not too hard, just be careful on disassembly of your parking brake, as my parking brake has not worked right since when I did my left rear wheel bearing. Take pictures.

Todd Simpson · 02-15-2004, 03:17 PM

Here's a link to the wheel bearing procedure.

http://vista.pca.org/sch/tech_articles/rear_bearing_911/911_wheel_bearing.htm

.

Andy Ring · 02-15-2004, 08:35 PM

Thanks for the info. The wheel bearing article is excellent. Regarding how my 72 ended up with cookie cutters, I'm not sure--that's what it came to me with. The car seems pretty original except for the wheels. I have a set of 15 x 6 fuchs I plan on swapping in. Also going to change to H4 headlights.

Mike Kast · Mike Kast's Garage

I love the color

john70t · 02-16-2004, 04:56 AM

You can check for play in the CVs by getting under the car and pushing up on each joint. There should be no vertical movement(beacuse usually some play accompnies wear), but a few inches of side-to-side is o.k. Also jack the car up and rotate the tire to see if it binds when rotating.
The rears are sealed/non-adjustable and have to be pressed in by a shop, but the fronts are easy to work on.
That's an awesome color.

dfw911 · 11:03 AM

I just went through the same thing with my 72. Turned out to be the right rear bearing, but all 4 cv joints were really worn so I ended up replacing them as well. Supposedly you can go on a bad bearing for a little while, but I wouldn't risk it with a CV joint. It isn't too hard to take off the axles and check the CV joints. Even if they aren't bad, it is a good idea to repack them.
Replacing the rear bearings is a PITA, but not as difficult as some posts make it out to be. I managed to do it without buying the special tool by using a threaded rod to press the hub back into place and by using heat and some careful work with a punch to get the old bearing out. There are some good posts in the archives about this - Chris Streight outlines what seems to be the simpliest method and John Walker has posted some really good tips as well.