1979 Porsche SC vs Man - Current results: 1-0 to SC

Kroggers · Kroggers's Garage

OK, I think I have tried everything listed on Pelican on how to remove the spring plate from the car, and I have now broken the first set of pullers I used (They snapped under the load), and been close to setting fire to the garage after trying to heat up the spring plate and the rubber bushing catching on light....

In this picture you can see the second (larger) set of pullers set as tight as it will go before starting to bend. The yellowing on the ends are from the heat I tried to use to convince the sway bar to let go... I give up. I have no idea what to try next.

304065 · 12-17-2007, 05:55 AM

Pål, were you able to get the starboard side plate out?

If so, consider using a broom handle inserted in the starboard side to drive the torsion bar and plate out of the port side. It will have to be small enough to clear the spline receiver in the middle of the torsion tube, but the hole goes all the way through.

Kroggers · Kroggers's Garage

John, I have been to scared to even try the other side yet

I was hoping that taking the approach I am using (and I also spent two hours this morning using the BFH approach), would either push the torsion bar in and the other side off, or pull the spring plate off with the torsion bar. But this thing is STUCK. I think this must be the original bars that were put in the car back in 79, and has never been out since then

(

I do not want to give up, but need some ideas on how to convince the bushing and torsion bar to let go!! I will try from the other side, but on fist inspections it looks like it will be just as stuck!

ulrichd · 12-17-2007, 06:10 AM

The springplate and the protruding round housing (which houses one torsion bar end) are all one piece. Unless I am missing something in the pic you are using the force of the puller against itself. No wonder it broke.

You have to insert some large screwdrivers or chisels between the chassis and the inside of the springplate. Be careful they can come out very suddenly and depending on how your body is positioned you could get hurt. Ask me how I know.

Ulrich

mb911 · mb911's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by ulrichd

The springplate and the protruding round housing (which houses one torsion bar end) are all one piece. Unless I am missing something in the pic you are using the force of the puller against itself. No wonder it broke.

You have to insert some large screwdrivers or chisels between the chassis and the inside of the springplate. Be careful they can come out very suddenly and depending on how your body is positioned you could get hurt. Ask me how I know.

Ulrich

yup Same thing I saw.. Try prying the whole plate out against unibody

frogger · 12-17-2007, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ulrichd

You have to insert some large screwdrivers or chisels between the chassis and the inside of the springplate. Be careful they can come out very suddenly and depending on how your body is positioned you could get hurt. Ask me how I know.

Ulrich

This is my approach, too. Good luck, Pål. Hopefully you can win the next round.

e p slick · e p slick's Garage

Send me a BIG version of your Avatar - In motion of course - and I will tell you how to remove spring plates.
EPS - Tucson Arizona

squelch · 12-17-2007, 06:40 AM

Ulrich is correct. The part you are pushing against is a cap that covers the torsion bar. It will not go in, it needs to be popped out. Then you can use that puller to push on the end of the torsion bar itself, which is located under that cap. This puller should work, once you get that cap removed.

However, if the puller still won't work, try getting the other side off. If you can, you can use a long steal bar and a big hammer to knock the other side out through the torsion tube. I tried it with a broom stick, but the wood just isn't tough enough. It split when I did it. I used an old torsion bar, but a piece of rebar might work well if it is long enough. Hope this helps.

ulrichd · 12-17-2007, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kroggers

John, I have been to scared to even try the other side yet

I was hoping that taking the approach I am using (and I also spent two hours this morning using the BFH approach), would either push the torsion bar in and the other side off, or pull the spring plate off with the torsion bar. But this thing is STUCK. I think this must be the original bars that were put in the car back in 79, and has never been out since then

(

I do not want to give up, but need some ideas on how to convince the bushing and torsion bar to let go!! I will try from the other side, but on fist inspections it looks like it will be just as stuck!

Even if you could push both torsion bars out on one side, the spring plate would still be stuck in the tube. The torsion bar is not what's holding the springplate to the car it's the inner rubber bushing (you can just see it peeking out in your second pic).

I use a large flat chisel between the chassis and springplate. Work the top first, then below using short jerks instead of constant friction. Watch as the springplate moves away from the body and be ready when it let's go (see my post above).

Ulrich

crashmy911 · 12-17-2007, 06:43 AM

the puller would work but you would have to drill a hole big enough for the puller to push through the cap. Right now you are pushing on the cap.

ulrichd · 12-17-2007, 09:01 AM

See if this pic helps. See the inner bushing on the springplate? That's what is keeping the whole springplate/torsion bar assembly in the tube. After it's out, then you get to remove the torsion bar from the springplate. That's fun, it's usually stuck good and tight.

Did you read up on springplate angle and how it relates to ride height? This job can get nasty really quick.