Front Susp. Removal

[Conrad W Peden]

Ok,
I've got the steering linkage disconnected, the shocks are unbolted, and all the bolts for the carrier are loose. The carrier won't budge. Like its stuck to the car.

Do I need to take off the guards at the tip of the torsion bars?

The brakes and sways are off the car too.

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CWP/VIR
72 914 L20E in rusto.
73 914 L20E 2.0L in resto.
http://members.rennlist.com/a914lover

[Jim Smolka]

There are some bolts near front bumber that also need to be removed. These are connect the front of the torrsion bars to the chasis. Be sure to remember which bolts came from where.

[efeinsmith]

After doing just such an activity today, there is a cover on the front of the asmy that is held by an allen screw that is accessed from the foward most hole in the cover. After that is off, remove the two hex bolts that hold the front bracket and with a bit of wiggling (and some body english), the whole unit should come out.

[Conrad W Peden]

I've got the two bolts from the front of each torsion bar out and I still can't pry the thing loose.

Do the guards hold it in place or do they just guard it?

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CWP/VIR
72 914 L20E in rusto.
73 914 L20E 2.0L in resto.
http://members.rennlist.com/a914lover

[efeinsmith]

Conrad, when you detatch the front mounts, the front of the transverse control arm should drop free. The rear, however, may stick in the auxillary support. You will probably have to wiggle the control arm and possibly gently pry it at the rear surface, where the mount bolt is. Just be VERY careful not to damage the torsion bar. With years of driving, you probably have some rust buildup there, but it will come free.

[Conrad W Peden]

g

oops! my 18 month old son is 'helping' me

[This message has been edited by Conrad W Peden (edited 01-01-2001).]

[Conrad W Peden]

Got it.

Thanks

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CWP/VIR
72 914 L20E in rusto.
73 914 L20E 2.0L in resto.
http://members.rennlist.com/a914lover

[TimW]

I just pulled my '70's front suspension this weekend too. I didn't know it was such a popular New Years activity . I can't say my 3 1/2 year old son helped me though .

Anyway, I'll pipe in just to say that after removing all the aforementioned bolts, 30 years of crud and surface rust held my 70's front suspension in very well. Nothing dropped free, it took a lot of prying, pulling, pushing, jumping, etc. to brake it free. I thought for sure I was missing a bolt or two, but no, it was just the crud. Once the crud broke free it came out very nicely.

All that to say, in my case it took more than gentle wiggling to get it loose (and the A-arms are still straight ).

Tim