struts - 71 911E

I have a bad strut on the right side and, after visiting a local brake shop (shudder) would like to do the repair myself because 1. the shop worked on the car and claimed everything was "all froze up" and they clearly didn't know what they were doing and 2.) I'm cheap and fairly mechanically inclined.

I have a Haynes manual, have figured I can put in KYB or Bilsteins (I'll order after I take it apart to play it safe)....

a few questions please-

1. is this out of my league or am I disassembling and assembling, and just need to drop the new strut cartridge in once taken apart?
2. will I need any special tools and where might I get them?
3. it does appear that the cap at the top of the strut tube might be frozen on one side, shouldn't some long soaking with liquid wrench, etc. be enough to break it free, and what tool could I use (besides a vise to hold the tube) to break it free?
4. and I will get a 4 wheel alignment done thereafter

.....just found your site and I find it absolutely the best - keep up the good work and you'll have my business for life (with an 83 BMW and the 71 Porsche, that's good for some $$$).

Tools, the hardest part I had was the tie rods. Get a "pickle fork" that is designed to separate the tie rod from the control arm. After you take off the castle nut, you do not want to damage the bushings on the tie rod, unless you upgrade to turbo rods at the same time.

At the bottom of the strut is a 16mm bolt. It holds the strut to the lower A arm. When putting it back in make sure the pin from the strut is straight. I t is very easy to strip the threads if put in wrong, ask me how I know...

Try not to crush the strut housing in the vise....Have a buddy around to help on bleeding the brakes, or get a tool to power bleed.

Should be easy, the Haynes manual actually is pretty good in this area.

Good Luck

Don't forget to put new bushings in on top.

[This message has been edited by mikeyz (edited 06-09-99).]

thanks for the info - but 2 quick questions from first message

1. is the new strut cartridge just a drop in,
or is there other work to do besides just disassembly and reassembly (Haynes details aren't for my car) and,
2. what tool did you use to remove the top cap on the strut tube and because it may be frozen can't I at least loosen it while the strut is still on the car?

thanks again

The strut is a drop in. The tool is a large channel lock/pipe wrench. Precision tools are not required.