Play in strut tower

[JonA]

While checking the front end of the 924S for play I noticed that on both sides there is vertical play that you can feel as you lift at the tire and see at the top of the strut tower. You can see the strut shaft with the big nut move up and down in the strut mount on top of the fender well. The nut itself is tight.
What do I need to replace to get this tight?

Thanks,
Jon

[djnolan]

The strut bearing might be bad. How much play is there? There is some play in the strut bearing since it is partially rubber. Are you sure the strut nuts are tight? Sometimes it takes a 22mm offset wrench and a 2nd wrench to hold the strut rod.

There is also a 6mm spacer needed between the spring hat and the strut bearing. It was a design change in the 86 car. It keeps the spring hat from hitting the inner fender and making a thumping sound.

[JonA]

The strut nuts are tight. The bearings are tight, the only play is the up/down stuff. I don't know if I have the 6 mm spacer but there never has been any thumping. I'll check this weekend.

thanks,
Jon

[JonA]

Well, took everything apart last weekend. The strut bearings (944 343 071 00) are worn and very sloppy. Ordered two more.
This was a little surprising as the car only has 110,000 easy miles. Maybe a caution to everyone to check the bearings carefully when you do struts.

Jon

[ernie9944]

Originally Posted by JonA

Well, took everything apart last weekend. The strut bearings (944 343 071 00) are worn and very sloppy. Ordered two more.
This was a little surprising as the car only has 110,000 easy miles. Maybe a caution to everyone to check the bearings carefully when you do struts.

Jon

LOl only a 110K miles,man don't matter how easy they were think about the years of sevice you got out of those bearings,nothing last forever.

[Gawernator]

$110 each?! Hope mine are good..

[JonA]

No, I'm not complaining. But in all the cars I've owned, some with almost twice that mileage, I've never replaced a strut bearing.
I'm happy to change these strut bearings, this car has been very good to me. Basically, I do the PM's and drive it. Once the salt is off the roads this will be my almost daily driver. Life is good....

Jon

[JonA]

This strut bearing replacement has hit a snag. The spacer sleeves, 823 412 364, are worn and replacements are not available anywhere as far as I can tell. When I reassembled with the new bearing the old sleeves do not provide enough space and the bearings bind.
Has anyone been able to find a replacement for these sleeves, it must be a common problem.

[J1NX3D]

i have heard of it before. have a look at the forums at 944online.com, Im sure i read of a similar problem and solution there.

[JonA]

What I ended up doing was shaping a thin washer so that it had the same diameters as the sleeve and fitting it between the bearing and the sleeve so that the sleeve stood a little higher. When everything went back together and the big nuts were tightened the bearings were no longer binding. Got everything all back together but I havn't moved the car out of the garage yet. I'll check everything out this weekend. Then off for an alignment and ready to roll.....

Jon