Swap spring plates R - L ?

[bkreigsr]

Is it okay to swap the spring plates side-to-side, or do they take a 'set' similar to the t-bars? (85 911 is @ 154,000 miles)
(I want to put the wear spots on my PB bushings on the bottom)
Thanks in advance, Bill K

[rnln]

Many people did that. I just did it. Take the spring plate out and swap them L and R. After that, I have to reindex, set ride height, realignment.

[rusnak]

I would not do that, honestly. It's so much work, just get the Elephant Racing rubber bushings, and do it once.

The old bushings come off easily with a hack saw to get the large chunks off, then use a torch to burn the small bits away.

[KTL]

The plates themselves are not side-specific (i.e. there's only one part number for the plate assembly) so there's no problem swapping. In terms of bushing deformation, I think as long as the bushing is a snug fit when re-inserted then it will be fine.

The way to get the old rubber bushings off is to heat the inside of the splined tube with a torch. When you see the bushing start to smoke, heat for a little bit longer. Then grab the whole bushing with a very large set of channel-lock pliers and twist the bushing off. It'll come off in one big piece. Let the plate cool down and then hit it with a wire wheel to get the rubber residue off. Voila' you are ready for new bushings, no matter what bushing you're going to use.

[Chuck Moreland]

Originally Posted by KTL

I think as long as the bushing is a snug fit when re-inserted then it will be fine.

And that's the catch. The bushings won't be a snug fit.

Surely the reason you want to swap is because the bushings are deformed. Once deformed they are loose, and that is the primary reason you need to replace deformed bushings.

Flipping side to side only treats the symptom and does not address the true problem of loose bushings.

Most of the work is getting the spring plates in and out. Once out it just makes sense to replace with your bushings. The rubber bushings really aren't even expensive.

[KTL]

Well doesn't it depend on what bushings we're talking about here? Rubber bushings will always be a snug fit. They may have gone eccentric/cold-flowed, but they'll still be tight in the torsion bar housing since the rubber bushing fit is an interference fit.

[cashman]

Spend the $100 and replace the bushings since you are doing the work anyway. For me, removing the old rubber and cleaning was a major PIA. Tried the torch and everything else. It will take some effort but well worth it when done.