Beyond perished...

[garment]

Well, another day, another replacement needed...

See the Rear Trailing Arm Suspension Bushings on my '83SC:






I'd say these are "beyond their useful life..."

(I am addressing a torn CV which is why the the first pic is super wet where the shock attaches to the arm)

Any favorites for replacement here? I presume I want to replace bolts and washers as well? And besides supporting the trailing arm with a jack and liberal application of some liquid wrench, any other suggestions? The shocks themselves seem fine.

Thanks Pelicans!

[rwest]

I'm pretty sure that those are attached to the shocks and if they're that bad, the shocks are probably beyond their useful life as well.

[X JBM X]

Originally Posted by rwest

I'm pretty sure that those are attached to the shocks and if they're that bad, the shocks are probably beyond their useful life as well.

i don't know about on a porsche, but generally speaking i would agree.

[VFR750]

Yes new bushings come with the new shocks they are attached to. Package deal.

Plus there is a rubber doughnut at the upper shock mount that is probably just as bad.

If your rear shock is that old. Likely your front struts are in need of reacement too.

I would recommend doing both front and rear at the same time. If you did on one end , the difference
In damping between the front and rear could make the handling strange or dangerous.

[VFR750]

The more I look at the pictures the more I see how dry rotted and trashed the bushings are. The shocks are toast. The bolt is no longer centered in the end of the shock.

[silverc4s]

The CV boot in the first picture is a bit suspect too..

[AVDCAV]

Cv boot also looks like junkola

[Gordo2]

Originally Posted by garment

I presume I want to replace bolts and washers as well?

Agree with others - based on the shape of the bushings, those shocks are pretty old, more than likely worn out and in need of replacement.

To answer your question regarding hardware - I would reuse the bolts unless the threads show any sort of damage or corrosion. Likewise I would just clean up the washer and re-use as well. The hardware's not that expensive, but I hate paying shipping for parts that normally don't need replaced...

Good luck,

Gordo

[Elombard]

Upgrade opportunity! Time for some custom valved bilsteins.

[tharbert]

Originally Posted by Elombard

Upgrade opportunity! Time for some custom valved bilsteins.

Slippery slope alarm! I see coil overs on the horizon!

[garment]

Yes, I am standing well clear of the slippery slope. I think new shocks all around are in order, and the CV boot as well. After a fuel line replacement a few weeks ago, I am feeling just a bit tapped out!

[garment]

So, the answer is: rear Sachs-Boge shocks are on order, and hopefully received before the weekend, so I can wrestle with the car this holiday weekend. Thanks again for weighing in here; I am starting to think there are hundreds on this board who have forgotten more about 911s than I will ever know!

[theiceman]

why wouldnt you just throw a set of Bilstein HDS or sports on .. I think it cost me around 500 for all 4 corners when i did mine .. not to bad at all.

i know many like HD but i did sport on all 4 corrners n my Targa and love them .

[garment]

Originally Posted by theiceman

why wouldnt you just throw a set of Bilstein HDS or sports on .. I think it cost me around 500 for all 4 corners when i did mine .. not to bad at all.

i know many like HD but i did sport on all 4 corrners n my Targa and love them .

With the exception of the SSI's, Wevo engine and tranny mounts, and upgrades to the dash lighting, I'm committed to staying "stock" (that said, I will be upgrading to H4's at some point). Just my version of an "honest car." I can't wait to see what the shocks do for me, I never noticed anything wrong...