Shock/Torsion Bar/Bushing Replacement??

89Cabman · 05:06 PM

To all the Porsche Guru's of this BB.

Hi there, Great site.

I'm looking for some info. (websites or links) to guide me through replacing my bushings, torsion bars, and shocks. This will be a weekend project. I'm putting on 22/28 bars, Bilstein sports, neatrix,poly bushings. Any links/websites that guide you through it will be greatly appreciated and thanks in advance. My car is a 1989, 911 Carrera Cab (3.2L). Is changing the rear torsion bars on the 87-89's easier than the 84-86's (different sized T-bars / different transmissions)???

PS. Is the factory repair manual on microfiche worth getting??

chrisp · 04-11-2002, 06:31 PM

Hmmmmm. I could write volumes on this subject. I have a few pointers. Since buying my car in April of last year I have performed all of the upgrades you listed. I probably have 20-30 hours in mine but that includes a thorough cleaning of everything. All I can say is take your time.

The rear control arm bushings and bearings will take 2-3 hours each side for the first timer. Control arm bushings alone will be 1-2 hours per side.
The front bushings and shocks will take 2-3 hours per side.
The front torsion bars can be done pretty quickly with the bushing job. Ride height adjustment is easy.
The rear torsion bars will take 1-2 hours per side to install and then figure on another 1-2 hours per side getting the ride height correct. This may be the most frustrating part of the job.
Neatrix bushings will take at least 1 hour per spring plate to get the old stuff off and the new ones on.

I think this will take you longer than a weekend. If you need the car on Monday then definitely make it a three day weekend. You'll need it. Make sure you have all of the tools and a vice, greases, cleaners, etc. before you start or it will drag into a two week project.

Again, in my case I tried to clean everything very well and painted parts where needed. it was my first time for all of the above.

A pro mechanic could probably do it in 5-10 hours if they have a lift and air tools and a second set of hands.
This will take longer than a weekend if you want to do a really nice job. By that I mean cleaning everything and taking your time.

Get all of the applicable Pelican tech articles and the Bentley manual is the way to go if you don't have a Porsche service manual.

Good luck. A friend who has done it before that you can consult with would be invaluable. I wish I had that.

Fishcop · Fishcop's Garage

89Cabman,

Welcome, try using the search button in the right hand top corner. This is a really common upgrade and a lot of people have done it.

My only extra advice is to get yourself a blow torch, it will be the easiest way to remove the old rubber bushings.

Good luck

Jim Smolka · 04-11-2002, 08:16 PM

The front rubber bushing come out relatively easy if you use silicon spray, a vice and some elbow grease. About 5 minutes a bushing.

Be sure to completely grease the T-bars before installation.

Blackdimonds · Blackdimonds's Garage

There are great articles and post here at Pelican on these subjects. I would say from experiance with the exact project list this winter, it will most likely take much longer than one weekend. I ran into many problems with my 20 year old suspension, and it took me nearly 2 months, working a couple hours a day, on the entire project. That being said, I must say that I am new to most of this stuff, and I could do the same job now in a few days.

By the way, its all worth it in the end. My car is a good 10 to 15 sec faster on the 1 minute style autocross courses I have ran since the updates!!!!

Chuck Moreland · 04-11-2002, 09:12 PM

Enter here

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_suspension_bushings/911_suspension_bushings.htm

Fishcop · Fishcop's Garage

Chuck, get rid of that Junior Member monica!

89Cabman · 04-11-2002, 10:28 PM

Great. Thanks for all your input. That's a great link that you have "ChuckyCheese", pictures are worth 1000 words.

turbo dave · turbo dave's Garage

Boy, I'm about 20 hours into it, and I don't even have the front bushings on, and haven't even started the back! I know I'm slow (still pretty inexperienced at wrenching), and am being careful, but sheesh! Just sanding down the new bushings to fit was an hour+ job. 89Cabman, if you are not really experienced at chassis/mechanical work, give yourself a lot of time- you don't want to rush chassis stuff, the consequences of a mistake are too serious.