It occurred to me I am getting too old for this....

[74-911]

Unfortunately, I are already committed to the front suspension rebuild.

Please note the little "helpers": BFH, heat and cheapo Harbor Freight Impact wrench which really help.



Next step is to get all the above cleaned up then:

New:
Wheel bearings
Ball joints
Turbo Tie rods
sway bar bushings
ER control arm bushings
Koni inserts
master cylinder
hard brake lines
rubber brake lines
"S" calipers off to PMB for rebuild
brake pads
steering rack maintenance
and any other while were in there type stuff that comes up.

Hopefully between Bentley and several really good threads on front suspension rebuilds here on Pelican, maybe I will still be sane when I get it all back together. That is a definite maybe.

[GH85Carrera]

I felt the same way when all of my front suspension was in a pile on the floor. The front end is not difficult, just take your time and get it clean.

The rear t-bars and spring plate bushings are the real pain to do. At least for me.

[gsxrken]

Originally Posted by 74-911

It occurred to me I am getting to old for this....

Yeah but when you get old you have a nice shop. I used to pull engines in a light snowfall outside. Now Venus and Jupiter need to be aligned over the western sky for me to change my oil. In a garage.

[Tidybuoy]

I recently re-did my entire front suspension on my '74 so I know how you feel.

Elephant racing has a very good video that shows you how to do the front rubber bushings. It's very important that you do this right because after installation, the rubber will slide around for a short while and during this time, you have to set your a-arms vs. end pieces to a precise angle - otherwise, you'll have a very difficult time reinstalling after the rubber sets.

All of the other items on your list will be pretty easy and you can just do one thing at a time.

[Danimal16]

BULL ****! I think you love it, but not that it takes a bit longer than when you were 20!

Have fun it will be worth it.

[steely]

Believe me, take it slow and steady and you will enjoy it. You've come a long way already.
Having said that, I would risk piling on to your project by recommending that you take this opportunity to consider replacing the tunnel fuel lines.
I wound up doing mine only after I had slapped the suspension (steering rack) back together (and in the way).

[rinverso]

wow, i wish i had such an uncluttered garage. piece of cake.

[74-911]

Originally Posted by gsxrken

Yeah but when you get old you have a nice shop. I used to pull engines in a light snowfall outside. Now Venus and Jupiter need to be aligned over the western sky for me to change my oil. In a garage.

Can't argue that point. I do not have fond memories of crawling around under cars on gravel driveways... and wrenching in the cold: no way any more, I are a fair weather type these days.

BULL ****! I think you love it, but not that it takes a bit longer than when you were 20!

Some truth to that but I can't even see 20 in the rear view mirror, that is pushing 50 years ago.

Believe me, take it slow and steady and you will enjoy it. You've come a long way already. Having said that, I would risk piling on to your project by recommending that you take this opportunity to consider replacing the tunnel fuel lines.

Slow and steady is all I do anymore. Not piling on at all, am seriously considering doing the tunnel fuel lines and know now is the time.

wow, i wish i had such an uncluttered garage. piece of cake.

It is nice all right. If you notice in the car pic you can see the footprint of where the previous owner had a 2 post lift There is a nice workbench with drawers / shelves and even a head which comes in very handy.

And I do appreciate the encouragement from everyone.. and onward through the fog.

[Porboynz]

Looking Good Jack, its going to be great!

[Chuck.H]

Jack, maybe you don't have room for a workbench, but even a folding table would be a big help from working on the floor... good luck with reassembly, looking good!

Chuck.H
'89 TurboLookTarga, 365k miles

[Charles Freeborn]

Been there done that! You'll love your car when it's done.
Don't forget the little foam rings that seal the front ends of the torsion bar tubes, and while the suspension and steering are out you'll never have easier access to the rubber sections of hose that connect the fuel tank to the hard lines running down the tunnel. When you've got the tank empty pull the screen from the bottom and clean or replace that too. Master Cyl is a piece of cake too...
The address of the thread on my rebuild is in my signature line and here: '74 Front suspension re-build
Cheers,
-C

[74-911]

Originally Posted by Chuck.H

Jack, maybe you don't have room for a workbench, but even a folding table would be a big help from working on the floor... good luck with reassembly, looking good!

Thanks Chuck. There is a cheapo 8' cabinet base with workbench top right behind where I was standing to take the pics but it serves well. I am definitely to old to kneel / squat down on the floor to work on the parts.

Don't forget the little foam rings that seal the front ends of the torsion bar tubes, and while the suspension and steering are out you'll never have easier access to the rubber sections of hose that connect the fuel tank to the hard lines running down the tunnel. When you've got the tank empty pull the screen from the bottom and clean or replace that too. Master Cyl is a piece of cake too...

Charles, your thread is one I have been looking at... thanks for posting it. Coincidentally I was looking at PET diagrams this morning and noticed the gaskets that go with the adjusting screw lever.. which were not present on mine. All I have is some foamy residue mixed with the grease. Just another Pelican order to start assembling.

[Charles Freeborn]

Originally Posted by 74-911

Thanks Chuck. There is a cheapo 8' cabinet base with workbench top right behind where I was standing to take the pics but it serves well. I am definitely to old to kneel / squat down on the floor to work on the parts.



Charles, your thread is one I have been looking at... thanks for posting it. Coincidentally I was looking at PET diagrams this morning and noticed the gaskets that go with the adjusting screw lever.. which were not present on mine. All I have is some foamy residue mixed with the grease. Just another Pelican order to start assembling.

Those were the gaskets - goners now. Be careful with the torsion bars - not to ding the paint. I touched up mine in a few spots and re-assembled carefully after smearing their entire surfaces with grease. Feel free to ask any questions - I have a bunch more photos too.

-C

[Jerome74911S]

Here's the part I don't understand. What are you talking about, being too old? I have a '74 911, I'm your age, I now have a nice and roomy (and warm) shop, and I need to redo the whole front suspension, same as you. My back is bad, my knees hurt, and I can't remember half of what I need to remember - but there is no idea in my head that I'm too old!

Heck, I plan on fooling around on this car for another 30 years. Then I'll retire on the far side of 100, right after a brisk ride in my 911 (fueled by what I don't know, there probably won't be gas anymore). Anyway, just do it and be happy.

[gamin]

I rebuilt the front on the 70 about a year ago at age 70. Proud of myself and that's what it is all about. Keeps me young. I'll wrench on the 911's 'till they plant me. And as a bonus, the new front end stuff transformed the car. Drives like new now.

[74-911]

Originally Posted by Jerome74911S

Here's the part I don't understand. What are you talking about, being too old? I have a '74 911, I'm your age, I now have a nice and roomy (and warm) shop, and I need to redo the whole front suspension, same as you. My back is bad, my knees hurt, and I can't remember half of what I need to remember - but there is no idea in my head that I'm too old!

Heck, I plan on fooling around on this car for another 30 years. Then I'll retire on the far side of 100, right after a brisk ride in my 911 (fueled by what I don't know, there probably won't be gas anymore). Anyway, just do it and be happy.

Yo Jerome, sore back, bad knees, what memory?... sounds just like me. Actually, I wouldn't have started this project if I really thought that and I also plan on keeping the car til I my kids will pry the keys out of my cold, dead hands.. It just seemed like a good title for the thread

Gamin: that's the whole deal really, the best way to stay young is to just keep on keeping on and this is the best way to do it. This should make a major difference in handling all right as most of the front suspension is way past due for replacement.

and thanks for the encouragement gentlemen, I do appreciate it.

[Charles Freeborn]

Well for whatever it's worth I'm 56.... I guess I should just throw in the towel....nah!
I will say that having access to my friends lift was a huge help, and as soon as I can swing it I'll be getting a scissor lift for my garage.
-C

[Josh D]

The bright side is you'll never have to rebuild the suspension again!

[atc_marty]

As a 26 year old, this thread gives me no hope for the future! I changed my transmission fluid three days ago and I've been sore ever since. I can only hope to be half as tough as you guys when I'm older.

Little side note, I often find myself wondering: how on earth did you guys find parts and information before the internet? I can't count the number of times I've run into a problem and solved it in 30 seconds using google. In fact, almost everything I know and every part I buy comes from the internet. Without the web, I'm not sure I would have had the courage to get into the old car hobby.

[74-911]

Originally Posted by atc_marty

A Little side note, I often find myself wondering: how on earth did you guys find parts and information before the internet? I can't count the number of times I've run into a problem and solved it in 30 seconds using google. In fact, almost everything I know and every part I buy comes from the internet. Without the web, I'm not sure I would have had the courage to get into the old car hobby.

Waaay back before the internet and Pelican, there were several vendors that specialized (more or less) in P-Car parts (they are still in business as far as I know but shall remain unnamed). You just requested a catalog from them and ordered from their printed catalogs and hoped you got the right part.

As to information? There were repair manuals from Chiltons, Clymers, and the PCA series "Upfixing der Porsche". All of which helped but left a lot to be desired. I don't know but suspect more than a few of the "older" wrenchers on this forum got their introduction to torsion bars and air cooled engines via VW bugs. Personally I had a '65 bug and a '72 VW "thing" prior to the 911.

The information available via the internet has definitely empowered many of us to tackle projects we might not have done pre-internet. Pelican parts and the kabillions of threads are an absolute of wealth of information...