Strut replace all around

[slodave]

Hi all,

I found out that my dad's plane is leaving the hanger for a few weeks for some updates. I move my Targa into the hanger Saturday afternoon for a four corner strut replacement. Three of the struts are vintage late 1983 Bilsteins. One was replaced many years ago. I purchased 4 Bilstein HD's a while ago from PP. I plan on spending a little bit of time cleaning up the wheel wells and surrounding areas while I have access. After a smooth (yeah, right) exchange, I plan on bringing the car to TRE for a balance(?) and possible corner balance.

I have a new digital toy, so I will post pics of my ongoing fun.

Dave

[rnln]

Please tell me if new HD Bilstein lift the car height?
Thanks.

[cab83_750]

Originally posted by rnln
Please tell me if new HD Bilstein lift the car height?
Thanks.

Bilsteins DO! Ask me how I know. If course, I was unlucky enough to do the shock after lowering the car. In other words, I had to lower the car 2X.

[Nine9six]

If after the swap, you decide you want to lower your car, do so before having the car aligned and corner balanced.

[slodave]

Originally posted by rnln
Please tell me if new HD Bilstein lift the car height?
Thanks.

My car already had Bilsteins installed. I don't think I will see much of a diff in the ride height. I would like to lower it to euro specs though.

Dave

[slodave]

Hi,

I started to replace the rear struts this afternoon. I was able to get the LR done, but I couldn’t get the RR lower bolt loose. I don't have a torque wrench and I did not have anything suitable for leverage. Tomorrow I plan to get some pipe and try again. Any other suggestions to get the bolt loose. Also, I tried to get the top bolt off on the front end struts but no luck. Any ideas on those?

I noticed a while back that my intake manifolds are leaking at the gaskets on the cylinders. How much more work is it to get the manifold off?

Thanks!

Last time the wheels touch the ground for a couple of weeks


In the air with wheels off


Left rear before


One of my neighbors


Dave

[ischmitz]

what was wrong with the old struts?

[slodave]

Originally posted by ischmitz
what was wrong with the old struts?

Three of the struts are 20+ years old. All four are leaking. The one I removed barely responded when I compressed it.

Dave

[slodave]

Hi,

Today I was able to get the front two strut cartridges installed. It was a tight fit since I did not remove the brakes lines. I found that it was easier to get the new struts compressed and back under the fender if you first compress the cartridge once before you install it. The two old struts were very easy to compress and get out of the fender. The right front cartridge would not come out at first. I finally gave it a few good taps on the top and it slid right out.

I am still no able to get the RR lower strut bolt loose. I'm very frustrated and don't quite know what to do. I can't seem to get enough leverage. Any ideas?

Thanks!

Dave

Right front ready to come out


Left front ready for the new insert

[gabenheimer]

Have you sprayed the bolt with penetrating oil? I wouldn't use a torque wrench to break the bolt loose. The torque measurement internals on torque wrenches are not meant for that kind of job. Your best bet is to get a long breaking bar so you have some leverage. A piece of pipe on the end of a socket wrench can also work (which I believe you mentioned) but be careful that it doesn't slip off. As a last resort, you can grind the end of the bolt off and replace it. Good luck!

[slodave]

Originally posted by gabenheimer
Have you sprayed the bolt with penetrating oil? I wouldn't use a torque wrench to break the bolt loose. The torque measurement internals on torque wrenches are not meant for that kind of job. Your best bet is to get a long breaking bar so you have some leverage. A piece of pipe on the end of a socket wrench can also work (which I believe you mentioned) but be careful that it doesn't slip off. As a last resort, you can grind the end of the bolt off and replace it. Good luck!

I have not sprayed it. It seems that gravity is working against proper penetration. I think I need to get the rear end up in the air a bit more so I can get a bit more space for the breaking bar. I also am going to try a different socket wrench. Mine seems to have a bit of play which is not helping in small places. And yes, I'm also afraid of slipping and doing damage to the body.

Thanks!

Dave

[randywebb]

don't worry - capillary forces will dominate over gravity - go ahead and spray it -- tap with something steel many times - repeat ad infinitum...

[450knotOffice]

Dave, to add to what I said in the email, yes, you will probably need to raise the back end of the car up higher. That should give you enough room to get some rotation on the breaker bar.

[slodave]

Ok, I'll visit the hanger tomorrow night and spray the bolt. This coming weekend I'll finish up the front end, put the wheels on, drop the front end and raise the rear a bit more. I will also try a bigger socket wrench with bigger pipes.

Thanks!!

Looks like I need to upgrade my tie rods up front. Should I order the Turbo's and install next weekend while the car is in the air?

Dave

[jpahemi]

Dave:
Is there a chance you can clean and wax the fender wells? The clean surface will allow better cooling for the brakes due to the reduced friction. The G5 crowd wax the wings to improve air flow over the wing, same goes for your fender well.
j.p.

[slodave]

Originally posted by jpahemi
Dave:
Is there a chance you can clean and wax the fender wells? The clean surface will allow better cooling for the brakes due to the reduced friction. The G5 crowd wax the wings to improve air flow over the wing, same goes for your fender well.
j.p.

I really want to clean everything in there, but I need to think of a good way to wash/capture the dirt/get rid of the waste. The hanger has a nice coating on the floor, but I do not have access to water and can't leave my dad's hanger floor a mess. I have sime ideas though....

Dave

[jevvy]

I found both back bolts - top and bottom came off easier with some weight on the wheels.

Please also remember to put weight back on the wheels before your final tighten of all nuts & bolts.

Good luck with the rest of the project - I loved the ride in mine after fitting tnew shocks and that was before I have had it lowered and corner balanced!

[slodave]

Hi,

I was finally able to get the RR lower shock bolt off. I used a bigger socket wrench and had tried to get some liquid wrench on the bolt a few nights ago. If the car had been on a lift, things would have been much easier. All done replacing the shocks. The rear end has the tires back on and is on the ground.

Right rear out


Left rear in


I'm on to replacing the tie rods with Turbo tie rods. I seem to be having a slight problem with tose too. Here's a link to another post regarding the issue.

Thanks!!!

Dave

[jpahemi]

Dave:
How did you get green Bilsteins; I ordered a set of Sports and got them in yellow.
Regards,
j.p.

[slodave]

Originally posted by jpahemi
Dave:
How did you get green Bilsteins; I ordered a set of Sports and got them in yellow.
Regards,
j.p.

Hi J.P.,

Green are the regular HD's.

Dave