First real DIY project complete

[carnut169]

Well, standing there covered with sweat, dirt, grease and grime looking at my car I realized the potential joy of DIY. Yes, my project was frustrating at first, and some may consider it as basic as changing the oil, but I did it- and I know it is right. What? Replaced all four schocks w/ Bilstein Sports, replaced the half shafts on both sides, and removed the factory air-box in favor of a "higher performance" cone type filter.

I have also purchased new mats, new seals for the convertible top, and am thinking about the 930s wheel to really make my baby good to go.

Just wanted to pass on the wonderful feeling of acomplishment with a DIY job that went right.

By the by.... an interesting thing that I noticed but never read.... when the struts came out the lower part was filled with some type of fluid (light blue, clear).... what was that? Also if you do the same repair take the brake lines out of the little clips and you don't pull on them, it also allows the strut to clear the fender.

[Rick Lee]

Congrats. I can certainly attest to the joy of DIY work. Several other local Pelicanheads and I replaced my clutch a few weeks back and after that, I felt like there was nothing I couldn't tackle. But, of course, tracking down the problems with my non-working a/c brought me back down to Earth yesterday.

[cary]

The liquid was either oil or coolant. From what I was told. It is put in there for cooling. For when the shock is being stressed.

On a street car I don't know if you really have the have it.

[Doug E]

Congratulations Sean!

[davis911s]

Congrats and I hope you have an easier time with your cab seals than us Targa owners do.

Shawn

[carnut169]

In case anyone wanted to know, I did a bit of research... the "fluid" was oil. Copied form Bilstein:
Such a compensation chamber is necessary on the Monotube type of shock absorber. The technology applied here has a number of considerable advantages. The expression "Gas Pressure" Shock Absorber often leads to the assumption that this shock absorber only contains gas. However the actual damping occurs within a column of oil. The dividing piston separates the oil chamber from the gas chamber.

The oil chamber contains a special hydraulic oil, and the gas chamber contains nitrogen, at a pressure of approx. 25 bar (approx. 350 psi)

Gas chamber function: enables the dividing piston to move further towards the gas chamber, thus reducing its size. When the piston rod is returned, the oil chamber becomes larger and the compressed gas cushion presses the dividing piston back into its start position. The high pressure in the gas chamber is transmitted by the dividing piston onto the column of oil and prevents the oil from foaming. Therefore optimum damping performance is achieved under all operating conditions.

[marcesq]

Hey Sean . . . congrats . . . the CVs are not a piece of cake . . . maybe you could do mine

Planning any trips up this way?? Hershey is already on the calender for next year.

Regards.