Spring Plate Bushing Replacement

[tiwebber]

I compared a picture I found in this forum of "worn" spring plate bushings with my bushings while the plates were still on the car and decided mine were probably in need of a refresh. I also wanted to see the condition of my torsion bars.

I have the both the spring plates and torsion bars out now and below are some pics. They both look in good shape to me and the bushings appear to be original because they are (i think)fused to the spring plate. I measured the torsion bar and got about 23.5 mm so I assume it must be the stock 23mm bar that comes with 72 911's.

Are these spring plate bushings worn enouph to warrant replacing? Any comment would be appreciated. I have a replacement set of neatrix bushing just sitting here but think maybe there nothing to do here?

[Zeke]

They do look good, but the rubber might be fatigued. That's a non scientific term in case randywebb and the rest of the engineers want to again take exception to my layman remarks.

The best way to determine whether these are shot is to examine where the spring plate shaft sits in the bushing holder/retainer while the car is on the ground. Too late for that here.

When they are not centered, the rubber is shot.

[Evans, Marv]

Everything looks pretty good. Since you already have them (well, at least one side) out of the car, you should go through the bit of extra work to replace the bushings. So a search and you will find lots of info on this. You can go with Netrix (rubber type) or Elephant Racing (poly bronze). Both are good. I did the Elephant bushings on mine. You might consider buying a set of used adjustable spring plates from the for sale thread here or Ebay. You're going to have to do essentially the same job when you put it back together whether you use the old bushings or new ones. Have fun.

[tiwebber]

Thanks everyone.

I am interested in the Elephant racing bushings and adjustable spring plates but decided that on this project, I would stay with what I have...unless I found anything broken...

I did wonder about 34 year old rubber so I snapped a a few pictures before I began but I am afraid the pictures might not be too informative (Milt) because they dont show the torsion bar cover head on. Here's what I have from before. Can you make any judgement about the condition of the rubber out of these shots?

ps. I am sort of itching to put on the new bushings - I have read about how to do it and planned on it anyway. But then again, if the old bushings are good I might reconsider.

[Chuck Moreland]

Tim

Sorry to say, your bushings are toast. Notice the visible wear near the flat part of the spring plate. The bushing is not supposed to have that extra ridge, it is supposed to be flat.



Further, the spring plate is nearly in contact with the spring plate cover.



It's not supposed to be like that.

Don't sweat it. There probably isn't a set of 911 bushings 25+ years old that don't need replacing, unless maybe they've been sitting on jack stands most of that time.

[tiwebber]

Thanks Chuck - much appreciated. I'll stick to my original plans to replace the bushings.

ps. I would'nt mind hearing from rusnak about his use of Permatex Cold Weld for glueing the neatrix bushings onto his spring plates. I was thinking of giving that a try too. Maybe I'll dig up that thread.

[randywebb]

Aaakk! milt called me an engineer! Aaagh.

[Zeke]

Originally posted by randywebb
Aaakk! milt called me an engineer! Aaagh.

Point taken. I should have said "scientists like randywebb and the engineers......."

[Nine9six]

Fellas, no point in needless name calling :-)
Randy, if the worst name you've been call is an "engineer", you're probably doing alright...

[avendlerdp]

Tim-

Two things from a guy who just did this job. One is that you can save a TON of grief by just tossing the spring plates in the BBQ for 15 minutes to break down the bushings. They fall right off once you get them hot. Then just a few minutes with a wire brush and paint, and you are done. Beware though this is a smokey operation.

Next is the glue thing for netrix. Don't bother with it. Just put them in with some silicone grease and they work perfectly. Have fun indexing...

Alex

[tsuter]

If you're that far apart save yourself the trouble and get adjustable spring plates.

[PorscheGuy79]

This might help when you go to get them off:

Step by Step Spring Plate Bushing Removeal

[Neilk]

Originally posted by tsuter
If you're that far apart save yourself the trouble and get adjustable spring plates.

+1
You can get a set of used SC adjustable spring plates for a little more than $100. The G50 Carrera spring plates won't work.

[randywebb]

dunno if I'd want them in my BBQ... you can also direct a torch onto the inner wall opposite where the rubber attaches

a mounted wire wheel is nice too

[PorscheGuy79]

Originally posted by randywebb
dunno if I'd want them in my BBQ... you can also direct a torch onto the inner wall opposite where the rubber attaches

a mounted wire wheel is nice too

Check out my link. Not to sound totally self promoting.

[tsuter]

Originally posted by PorscheGuy79
Check out my link. Not to sound totally self promoting.

Come on now Matthew be serious ...you must know by now most peeps on this forum would rather type than read.....or heaven forbid actually search......

[tiwebber]

Thanks all. I had already found and prepared myself for the method explained here: http://forums.pelicanparts.com/show...ushing+removeal thanks PorscheGuy79 . It worked like a charm - the rubber just peeled. I now have the spring plates all clean and want to paint them (yes I am using the old non-adjustable plates this time due to $'s but want to upgrade later). Is there a problem painting the surface that the bushings slide onto? Or should that be clean and free of paint?

Thanks again for all the help.

ps. I love the search button.

[PorscheGuy79]

Originally posted by tiwebber
Is there a problem painting the surface that the bushings slide onto? Or should that be clean and free of paint?

Tape off the area the bushing contacts, you dont want any paint there to promote binding.