Rear suspension--what MUST I do while the engine is out?

[sugarwood]

Originally Posted by Jameel

Right now I'm thinking just stick to the engine and related stuff (fuel lines) in hopes that I can have it back on the road by spring. Then tackle the suspension next winter.

Smart move. I've seen too many threads where people buy a car, take it apart, and then 7 years goes by. I doubt this is why you bought your car. Get it on the road! Then take stock after you know the car.

[911tracker85]

The bolt on the passenger side cannot be removed without it hitting the transmission. The one on the drivers side is removable without the transmission removal.

Hmmm.... I do not recall having any issue when I did a full suspension upgrade on my 86 951, including coil overs on the rear and replacing all off the bushings.

[911tracker85]

dang, I have too many different Porsches. this is the 911 forum....

with my 78 SC/930 conversion project, stripped to the tub, so no worries as I totally rebuild/upgrade THAT suspension....

[Tremelune]

If my engine were out, I'd reinforce the shock towers. I don't plan on going coilover, but...might be nice.

[hangar21]

Jameel, I agree with everyone on there ideas. I recently completed a complete suspension rebuild ( with engine installed). I installed Elephant Racing "street/ track 2" components. Everything was fairly straight forward, the only problem was the trailing arm bushings. The left side was removed without much "extra effort", however the right side was a PITA ( see pic),
PO was enrolled in an accident& right Trailing arm was replaced. The installation was done correctly, the trailing arm NUT edges were "rounded" off making removal impossible. As you can see, I had to drill, grind & saw to remove nut & bolt!
I bought & cut a socket (1/4") to make installation easier, worked great!
So I would suggest that since your engine is out, replace both trailing arm bushings.
Good luck,
Terry

[Jameel]

Wow. Thanks Terry. That's a pretty convincing picture right thar!

[rwest]

Jameel,

How about plan "C", maybe just get some nice new bolts and nuts installed on the trailing arms so that when you go to replace the suspension parts in a couple years, those should come out pretty easily?

Rutager

[Jameel]

Good idea Rutager. I'll take a closer look.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Refresh your control arms

[DrRiPitt]

Now that's some beautiful S**T

[Jameel]

Dang. Something to aspire to. Wow.

[A horse with no name]

Hi...As mentioned, the fuel line behind the engine, new seals for the oil cooler, and replace both the rear engine oil seal, including the tranny's main seal. Another easy thing to replace when the engine is out is the oil pressure sensor. Replace it with the one with two terminals, then you can run a red safety light if you want to in the future. Last but not least. If you want to reburnish your tin paint work, now is the time to do it - Like very 'easy-peasy' with the engine out.

PS - I replaced my rear bushings,(and front) with the exception of the banana arms, (as they were OK) last year without dropping the engine...I found that there were no issues doing so due to not having the engine out. -> My .02 cents worth

[Tidybuoy]

When I had my engine out, I replaced the rear trailing arm bushings. Everything else (rear suspension wise) can be replaced anytime but the rear training arms are hard to do with the trans in the way. You have to remove the banana arms to do this. I don't see how you could do it with them in the car.

I went with Elephant Racing Hard Rubber Bushings, which is similar to factory stock but with a more sport setting. The effect, My car stopped steering from the rear which I never noticed until the new bushings made the car track perfectly. You have to get the car aligned after this.

Below are a couple of photos. My old bushings literally fell out with just my fingers pulling on them. They basically crumbled to pieces. After cleaning up the banana arms, I pressed in the new bushings using a large bolt with very large washers on each end and then tightened until the new bushings squeezed into place. I believe the entire project took about 3 hours and I had no experience.

Recommendation: Take lots of before photos so you can remember how it all goes back together. It's actually very simple.

Old Bushings vs New ER Sport Rubber Bushings:


Pressing in New Bushings with Large Bolt, Washers, Nut: