spring plates? Also GA alignment shop reccomendations

erobinson · 10-31-2004, 03:26 PM

I have seen it mentioned that there is a change in the spring plate design mid 76. When did this occur? and does anyone have pictures of the two different types?

I was under my car tonight brillo padding the underside of the pan (dont ask its become a monstrosity with the while you have the engine out disease) and noticed the trailing arm inner bushings are deformed and need replacing and I was curious about upgrading spring plates while I am in there.

Also anyone know of a good alignment/balance shop in the mid georgia area who actually knows how to align a porsche? Or is it gonna be me pay the guy to use the machine for a couple of hours? (Have aligned other things, never a porsche)

Eli

Wil Ferch · 11-02-2004, 08:22 AM

Two piece rear spring plates ( adjustable) came on the scene at 77/78.

Wil

Chuck Moreland · 11-02-2004, 09:32 AM

Actually the adjustables came out in 76. I'm not sure if it was for the full year run or part year. You can easily tell by looking, the adjustables are comprised of two peices botled together.

erobinson · 11-02-2004, 09:39 AM

mine are not the adjustable variety

Thank you guys for the help. Guess its save up for the sway a way setup instead of purchasing a pair of used adjustable OEM ones

Jerome Ryals · 11-02-2004, 09:54 AM

Where in mid GA are you located, there used to be a well informed german shop in Macon.

Wil Ferch · 11-02-2004, 09:57 AM

Sway Aways have their own set of problems....notably spline fit problems with OEM torsion bars, and until recently, you were forced to use plastic bushings ( chuck's polybronze are now available for these too). For example...you can't go Neatrix rubber bushings with Sway-Aways, I believe....

Wil

Noel · 11-02-2004, 11:44 AM

Sway away will save a bunch of time setting the final ride height. If you fit the plastic bushings correctly, they won't squeek (I cut grease channels in mine too). At least mine haven't in over a year and 3K miles.

Evans, Marv · 11-02-2004, 12:09 PM

Keep an eye out on Ebay for some decent used adjustable spring plates. Can't remember what I paid for mine, but it was reasonable. I had them replated & will be putting them on my '69. While "you're in there," I'd spring for Chuck's poly/bronze bushings. They are a little pricey, but you are only going to buy them once in your lifetime or the length of time you have the car,and they are superior to anything else.

Noel · 11-02-2004, 12:47 PM

I sold my old factory adjustable ones for $150, but have seen them for $100 a set.

Wil Ferch · 11-03-2004, 04:26 AM

OK Noel, here's a question...you lube up the plastic units and even fit zirc fittings, maybe. How do you lube the *inside* units on the rear ??

Wil

Sunroof · 11-03-2004, 05:32 AM

In Atlanta try:

Perfect Performance
Dave Usher
1089 Frashier Street
Roswell, GA
770/993-5777

or

Proformance Place (Open Saturdays)
Reggie Cummings
1155 South Cobb Drive
Marietta, Ga
770/514-1448

Reggie has an alignment machine and wheel balancer. He is top notch.

Regards
Bob

Noel · 11-03-2004, 05:59 AM

Wil,

I cut channels into the bushing with a Dremel tool after I properly fit the bushings to the spring plate. I then packed the channels with Silicon grease prior to assembly. Maybe it will squeek eventually, but it hasn't to date. I do admit that the Elephant solution is superior, that is why I have Elephant bushings on the front of my car. Unfortunalty, Chuck didn't make then for the Sway Away plates when I performed my upgrade.

I imagine that you could also drill a few small holes from the OD through to the ID of the bushing so that grease could travel to the ID when injected with a Zerk fitting.

I really beleive that the issue for many is that they don't properly fit the bushings to the spring plates. It takes a couple hours to properly fit them but they should easily fit with very little force. Many just try to squeeze the bushing on without fitting. This action also squeezes the grease off of the bushing.

BTW, I did use the Ferch method to set the angle of my sping plates and it worked great. Many thanks.

Wil Ferch · 11-03-2004, 06:02 AM

Noel:
Thanks for the feedback....to be clear, I wasn't critical...just wondering how to elegantly lube the inside/rear bushing...the rest look do-able.
Glad to see the angle calculator works...

Wil

Chuck Moreland · 11-03-2004, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wil Ferch
OK Noel, here's a question...you lube up the plastic units and even fit zirc fittings, maybe. How do you lube the *inside* units on the rear ??

Wil

Wil

PolyBronze has a built in zirc that lets you re-lubricate the inner bearing. But with plastic bushings, there is no way to fit a zirc fitting for relubrication of the inner bush.

With plastic, you lube it up at installation time and take your chances. In time, the grease gets dry or squeazes out. Then you dissasemble and grease again!

Here is a picture showing the zirks in a PolyBronze installation:

Wil Ferch · 11-03-2004, 07:36 AM

Chcck:
Thanks...that was my point.
Many of us wrestle with the premium price for an ( admittedly) premium product as far as polybronze goes. Some may take the more laborious route and "fit" plastic bushings...maybe even goober them up in grease and provide grease fittings....but I know of no way to grease inside/rear plastic bushings....a big negative in my view....

Wil