Bent Strut: Bend Back and Weld or Buy new used

mtelliott · 10-19-2004, 02:29 PM

When I took my car in for alignment, they couldn't get the camber to go to spec on the driver side front (-1.3 is the best they could get it).

Inspection of the strut housing shows that it's slightly bent. PO must have slid it into a curve but I don't really know. This is the first time I've tried to get it aligned.

I have two options.
A) Pick up a used strut housing and have it installed. $325 plus 3 hours labor.
B) Have the strut housing pulled, bent back and welded, and re-installed (4 hours of labor).

I spoke with the guy who can fix it and trust his work. He's done some welding for me in the past and I've seen the race cars he works on / builds.

Anyone have any experience with this? Thoughts?

Michael

jpnovak · 10-19-2004, 02:34 PM

I vote for having the strut fixed. I would also have the spindles lowered at the same time.

I think 3 hours labor to pull/replace a strut is a long time. Even with bleeding the brake system it should be less than 2 hours.

scottb · 10-19-2004, 02:50 PM

I'd bite the bullet and have the entire housing replaced. It seems like a cleaner way to go. My $.02.

Rot 911 · 10-19-2004, 03:08 PM

No guarantee the used strut won't have a spindle that is out of spec either.

Tinker · 10-19-2004, 03:40 PM

Are you talking about a Boge, Bilstein or Koni strut?

If it the later two, I wouldn't see repairing it as a problem. If it's a Boge, toss it and get a new strut. The Boge struts are wimpy and have been known to bend even with some off track excursions.

Tinker

widebody911 · widebody911's Garage

A complete new strut assembly from PP is a little under $500 - wha t is the 3 hours of labor gonna run you?

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/911M/POR_911M_suspen_pg1.htm

Tinker · 10-19-2004, 04:23 PM

In regards to the link that Thom posted, what makes the 89 930 strut different from the 911 strut? The picture is the same

I always thought the a Bilstein struts for the earlier cars were all the same?

Tinker

911pcars · 10-19-2004, 04:29 PM

Get a used good strut. There are plenty. Shouldn't cost $325.

Sherwood

jakermc · 10-19-2004, 04:48 PM

I paid less than $200 for a used Bilstein strut with insert. Sold to me by another Pelicanite. Post a WTB ad in the classifieds here and see what you get. Install should not be too tough a DIY job if you have tools, this BBS will walk you through it.

zzwhm · 10-19-2004, 06:21 PM

Originally posted by mtelliott
When I took my car in for alignment, they couldn't get the camber to go to spec on the driver side front (-1.3 is the best they could get it).

Michael -
Do you want less camber? I ask because if you plan to AX or DE you'll appreciate some negative camber and -1.3 isn't really that much for the front. You could save the $ for a new strut and go -1.3 on both fronts and around -2 on the rear and it would be a nice sporting street setup.
Bill

mtelliott · 10-19-2004, 07:02 PM

Bill: I did briefly consider your option. However, this is mainly my daily driver so tire life is more important. But let me tell you, it handled the track extremely well before the alignment.

As for DIY, that would be my normal route but this is my daily driver and I dont' have the time to take it off the street. I considered it, but just don't have the time. After building the engine, my wife has a long list of weekend "honey do's".

Has anyone ever had one fixed? I trust guy doing it but was looking for some things to be aware of if I go that route.

As info, they are Bilstein.

Michael

Bill Verburg · Bill Verburg's Garage

Quote:

what makes the 89 930 strut different from the 911 strut?

Just the style, Bilstein and insert, HD. They used to try to pass them off as special but we caught on.

Struts are wear items, they should be replaced when out of spec.

CBRacerX · CBRacerX's Garage

I'm at a similar point. The right front (which recently got a "new" used Boge strut with Bilstein Insert) is not allowing _less_ camber than -2.2 (this is the minimum camber possible). The driver's side is "maxed" at -1.6...

So I'm considering:

New Boge Strut, toss insert and replace with existing Bilstein.
Roll the dice on another used strut (cheapest but hate the thought of another bummer!)
Get Wevo Camber King and go for -2.2 on both sides (street car 90% though..)

Decisions, Decisions...

Here is why the strut was replaced...

Wil Ferch · 10-20-2004, 06:16 AM

Ahhh....Jamie....lowered spindles will *raise* the car.....

You must mean raised spindles....which work for non-Boge struts because the Boges have a fat "bulge" right above the circular clamp that acts as a spindle carrier....

Wil