Suspension bushes

[milleplod]

Morning all.

The wife's Cabrio has started making the well-documented groaning noise from the front suspension. Its booked in in a couple of weeks for new discs/pads, so we'll get this sorted at the same time. I was always under the impression that this would mean new control arms as bushes weren't available seperately. Then I found this place http://www.powerflex.co.uk/products/911+(996)-525/1.html.

Has anyone re-bushed the front, rather than purchased complete new parts?

Pete

[ericinboca]

I've replaced all the bushings, mounts and spherical bearings on my 986S. I replaced with solid bushings, etc. as my 986S is a dedicated track car. You may know, but just in case - you do not want solid bushings, bearings, etc on a daily driver. The noise increases significantly, and ride quality is greatly diminished.

By the same token, however, new bushings will make a dramatic and positive difference if your old ones are really shot.

As I was looking for the solid bushings, I came across lots of urethane bushings. I would think you can get them, and it should be way cheaper than new arms.

With the right tools, it is not hard. Just took a lot of time.

Special tools I used included a ball joint seperater and a shop press. There are bearing tools available, but the shop press made things really easy - and if you have one or access to one, use it instead.

I removed the control arms, the trailing arms, etc. - pressed out the old stuff, and pressed in the new.

[milleplod]

Thanks for the reply.

Someone over on 911uk directed me to a specialist who can re-bush the whole front for us - in years gone by, I would definitely have had a go myself, but these days....well, I'd rather pay someone! The front of the car feels quite vague and 'floaty' at the moment, so I'm hoping re-bushing will sharpen it up a lot, although I'm a bit wary about mention of a harder ride....its very hard now!!

Pete

[ericinboca]

The harder ride I am refering to was due to the solid (all solid aluminium with no rubber) bushings I installed for the track. It greatly improves the driver's ability to feel grip, but makes it unsuitable for daily driving.

If you put in urethane or normal bushings with rubber, you will restore it to a "factory" like ride - it will not be harsh like solid bushings.

If you have worn out your old bushings, and put in new ones, you will be thrilled with the improvement.