free play in 930 front struts?

[fredmeister]

Guys,
I have been attributing rocking or free play in my front wheels to loose wheel bearings on my 79 930 turbo, but after checking the bearings and found them ok, the free play is still there.

The front struts actually seem to be worn allowing the wheel to rock slightly. I have not been able to put a dial indicator on the hub to quantify the amount of motion side to side, but I am guessing 10 thousandths or so at the hub. It is pretty evident and I have failed tech inspection for a DE the last time out because of it, telling me to tighten the wheel bearings up.

I know there is a guide bearing inside the strut housing that the strut insert slips into and there has to be some amount of clearance there, but how much is acceptable? Kind of like a valve guide, how much clearance is allowed between the stem and guide OD?

Can these bearings be refurbished and how does a skilled mechanic like me remove and replace them?

Thanks,
Fred

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by fredmeister

Guys,
I have been attributing rocking or free play in my front wheels to loose wheel bearings on my 79 930 turbo, but after checking the bearings and found them ok, the free play is still there.

The front struts actually seem to be worn allowing the wheel to rock slightly. I have not been able to put a dial indicator on the hub to quantify the amount of motion side to side, but I am guessing 10 thousandths or so at the hub. It is pretty evident and I have failed tech inspection for a DE the last time out because of it, telling me to tighten the wheel bearings up.

I know there is a guide bearing inside the strut housing that the strut insert slips into and there has to be some amount of clearance there, but how much is acceptable? Kind of like a valve guide, how much clearance is allowed between the stem and guide OD?

Can these bearings be refurbished and how does a skilled mechanic like me remove and replace them?

Thanks,
Fred

The struts do wear out. AFAIK there is no rebuild. When it happened to my '76 Carrera 3.0 I replaced the struts w/ 930 Bilsteins which come w/ hd inserts oe.

[KTL]

Bilstein or Elephant can service them for you.

Elephant Racing | Strut Modification Services | Porsche 911/912/930

I know of at least one guy who has have DIY'd them. cgarr (Craig) here on the forums (of cylinder head repair service fame) has done some Bilstein strut bearing repairs on his own struts and a for a few of our friends. Ask him if he'd be willing to share some of the details how he does it. He's pretty busy nowadays with cylinder head service but he's always been pretty forthcoming with info on how to do stuff.

[rusnak]

Yep, the strut bushings can be replaced. Personally, I'd rather send them to Bilstein and wait, and wait. Those pics of the tool that CGarr made looked really cool, but probably well beyond the skill/ ability/ time, and experience of most.

[fredmeister]

thanks for the excellent info guys.

I guess there is a linear bearing inside the housing.....wow.

anyone know if cgarr has a website I can check out?

Fred

[rusnak]

73T - Bilstein Strut Rebuild

Bilstein play?