911 S , 1975 ,Suspension Bushings Rear and front

[oistein]

Need to replace all bushings front and rear,
Any experience with the different Brands?
Elephant Racing ?
URO Parts ?
Rennline ?
Porsche Original Parts ?

Maybe someone have Tools for the job for sale?

Regards Řistein

[BLK76911]

No help here but subscribing to thread because I have been looking at Elephants full suspension restoration package for my '76 911s.

[racer_X]

I just did a complete suspension rebuild. I started with an elephant racing quote but ended up going a slightly different direction after some feedback from a couple of folks.

My goal for the car is to put tons of miles and maybe an occasional autoX or DE once a year.

I did all new racing rubber from elephant for everything (torsion bar rubber, swaybars, shock towers) except the spring plate bushings because you can buy the rubber already installed on rennline spring plates.

The reason I went with rubber is because it is maintenance free, and quiet. There are other options and it really depends on what you want to do.

I also replaced the torsion bars (21F 27R) and sold the old Konis for Billstiens.

The car rides pretty much rides the same but feels nice and tight. I did Angel Crest right after getting the car corner weighted and align. My goal was to finish it before moving back to Boston. It really feels dialed in.


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[fanaudical]

Both Elephant Racing and Rennline seem to be making quality rubber components. My opinion is to avoid URO with proven alternatives available.

I rebuilt the suspension on my '75 Targa a couple years ago. Used all Elephant rubber bushings on the front; used the Rennline springplates with sport hardness bushings on the rear. No complaints.

Do be careful if you start playing with different torsion bars; it's easy to make the car so stiff it's not enjoyable...

Regarding tools: Elephant's front bushings came with an installation tool. You'll need a ball-joint socket for the front and the large thin wrenches for the rear.

[Kraftwerk]

I used Elephant "sport hardness " For the front "A arm" bushing, when you order a set they come with two bushing-guide "tools" to do the two different locations on the A arms. Helps to have the proper clamp ( extra LONG & sturdy ) & a HUGE vice. It also helps to watch the (very old but helpful) u-tube instructional video, by Chuck himself (?) Also used Elephant "sport hardness " for the rear "Banana Arms". There is lot's of help here, on the Pelican site, too

[oistein]

Thanks for advice , I think it will be A mix of Elephant/ Rennline products
😀

[drewr]

No reason to avoid URO just because. They have a "high density" version of the front A arm bushing that works well. I used URO front and rear bushings. Fine for street use.

Elephant has some nifty tools that make the job way easier. There are other ways to do it (you will find many threads on the forum and in the technical articles). The whole job is a moderate PITA. Be prepared to spend some time. Also, beware the slippery slope! Once you take apart the suspension, you will be sorely tempted to redo, refinish, repaint, etc.

You'll need a special tool for the ball joint crown nut. And probably a propane torch to heat up the ball joint pin. And a sledge hammer and punch to get it out. It is all more involved than it looks. But well worth it! My car is totally improved.

[GH85Carrera]

There are likely over 200 threads on the site about the suspension bushings. I suspect I read them all when I was planning on my suspension upgrade.

In the end I went with Elephant racing rubber. I drive my car on the street, and I even take a lot of long road trips. My wife rides with me. I also participate in autocross and even track days on occasion.

The ER rubber and his tools to install them worked great. I also replaced my OEM Boge shocks with the Bilsteins HD not the Sports and new turbo tie rods "while I was in there". Of course new ball joints and the rest of the items that should be done.

I love the way the car handles after the upgrade, and I feel it is the perfect setup for me.

Search for suspension or bushings and start reading. There are a million opinions and you will have to decide what works for you.

[oistein]

What about Powerflex ?
Any experience ?
😊

[GH85Carrera]

Once again, just do a search on this site for suspension bushings. Read them, and make a decision.

I did that, and ended up with the Elephant Racing bushings and his tools to install them. He makes a quality product and for suspension parts that are not cheap or easy to replace, I always prefer quality to price driven choices. Like brake parts, is really is a matter of life and death to do it right the first time.

[burgermeister]

I used ER rubber bushings all around. No squeaks, no problems, even the spring plate bushings are still stuck to the spring plates. Probably about 50K miles and 40+ track days on the parts. I fail to see the need for any of the rigid bearing type bushings. A friend had them in his '88 (fairly similar setup otherwise), and I could not tell an improvement driving his car on track.

[Driven97]

Originally Posted by oistein

What about Powerflex ?
Any experience ?
😊

Avoid poly, they bind. Use rubber when possible unless your time on the clock earns you money.

[burgermeister]

Polyurethane also squeaks sooner or later, and it is insanely annoying (to me at least)

[UROParts]

Originally Posted by drewr

No reason to avoid URO just because. They have a "high density" version of the front A arm bushing that works well. I used URO front and rear bushings. Fine for street use.

Elephant has some nifty tools that make the job way easier.

Our host offers URO Parts HD bushings here: 901 341 421 02KHD. Elephant's tools are definitely helpful; we considered providing similar installation cones with our bushings, but are trying to keep the retail price down.

Originally Posted by burgermeister

Polyurethane also squeaks sooner or later, and it is insanely annoying (to me at least)

^ X2, the honeymoon period before polyurethane starts squeaking can be surprisingly short. The material is fine for things like sway bar bushings that are easy to regrease, but for control arms...