The amateur mechanic

[ESP911]

After our last informal run when we swapped cars and got to experience how other 901 cars are set up (I drove Clydes RS with great trepidation but now that he has sold it, am so glad for the opportunity), there were a few comments on the looseness of my suspension.
Having not driven another 901 in quite a while, I thought this was natural.
With Saturday drive coming up and then Attwood the following day, I arranged with Phil H. to shoot down Saturday morning and change the bushes in my rear suspension.

Under Phil's expert guidance, I did all the dirty work of pulling every thing apart and then reassembling. By the time I was finished we had Rich on the next hoist fixing his starter motor, Phil L cleaning suspension parts and Clyde casting an expert eye over everything.

I should have taken some picture of the procedure as I will write it up for the magazine. I went in with little knowledge of what I was doing but now that it is done it was quite simple and now I have a greater understanding of how things work. However there are a few little traps for the unwary.
While I was there I also dropped the car another 20mm.
It was a great learning experience and great camaraderie with fellow 901ers.
Next thing is wheel alignment so I'm hoping Carl's available this coming week.(Carl are you out there? I'll call you Tuesday to see availability)
Catch everyone Saturday Morning for a leisurely drive.

[e72phil]

Yes Brett, I thought you had tackled a reasonably large job for the day but you managed to get it all done and back together in time. I am sure you were wondering once the torsion bars were laying on the ground, the spring plates merrily barbequeing away out front with the lovely smell of burning rubber, whether you would get it all back together in time.


Thanks to Phil H's instructions, it was a really good exercise to watch and learn that this is really a job that could be done by most members over a weekend. the spring plate re-alignment is probably the one area requiring the specialist tool that Phil had, but you could probably manage without it by making up a template prior to disassembly.

And I agree, it was pleasing to see so many TYP901 members in attendance even thou Leo didn't quite manage to get much done on his 68S - but I think he enjoyed just watching the other jobs being performed including Rich's starter motor swap. Not having done this myself (in the car) I was also pleased to witness this so I have an appreciation of whats involved should I ever have the same task.


I think its a good suggestion to other members if you have your engine out of the car, may be remove the starter motor and have to serviced by an auto elec whilst its easy to get to and refit.

As always, preventative maintenance is probably the best medicine for these cars.


Anyway, it will be great to hear Bretts comments about handling changes next weekend.

And Brett, Carl now has a real job and is only really doing alignments on Sat mornings. Best you call or email him direct to see what can be done in time before next weekend.

[Terminator]

Those rubbers give off a great black smoke don't they. My next door neighbour rang the fire brigade thinking our house was on fire when I did mine.

Brett you looked like you belong in a shop, Phil could use a hand he says.

Your car will feel heaps different especially now you put in the sway bar bushes as well and lowered the COG.

Changing those things transformed my RS handling for sure.

[alexwebster]

Brett,

great to see that the old girl is back on the road again. I was worried last weekend when you said that you had 'hoped' to have it back on the road.

Will be great to have you along and see the difference to the car.

I know that everyone following it in the last runs will be happier and less scared that the car is going to turn around mid corner!!!

Awesome driving either way that you can drive it hard and not do anything silly!!

I too am restoring at home - much to the delight of Sonya and the dog Abby, the complete front and rear end of an early 911. Interesting learning how to pull it all apart.... just have to work out how to put it back together once it comes back from the power coaters!!!

Now my question....
How do you remove the rear susepension spindle (where the wheels studs are attached) from the main assembly? I have removed the rear bearing and hand brake drums, discs etc, but cannot see other than brute force that I can get it out! Anyone from our Porsche service elite that can help me please? It will give me an excuse to leave the office today (public holiday) and play in the garage for the rest of the day!!!!