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How difficult is it to change the front struts on the 924?
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Author:  Chris71 [ Wed Feb 01, 2012 11:35 am ]
Post subject:  How difficult is it to change the front struts on the 924?
As per the title really... What's involved in changing the front suspension struts on a standard 924? Is it fairly straightforward for an amateur?

Something still isn't right on the front end of my 924. I can't detect it by jacking the car up and waggling the wheel manually, but load it up going into a corner and it feels like there's some serious play on the front right wheel, accompanied by a clunking sound. I replaced the wheels bearings and that hasn't solved it and there's nothing obviously knackered from a visual inspection.

Anyway, before I spend more time on this it occurs to me that I may well be changing the springs and dampers over before too long. My thought was that there's a good chance anything loose or knackered in the suspension will be replaced during the process, or at least come to light. So before I give up trying to troubleshoot the problem and pay someone else to do it I might see if it disappears in the course of the planned suspension change.
Author:  Hitman Hack [ Wed Feb 01, 2012 1:22 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How difficult is it to change the front struts on the 92
Not really sure as I have not done the fronts on my 944 yet but my Dad changed the front struts and springs on my mums old 924 when I was a kid.

I do remember him having to borrow a special tool to compress the springs though.

he was also suitably impressed with the net result after the event too.

Hopefully someone on here can say for sure but you should check that out before ripping your car to pieces just in case.

Good luck.
Author:  Chris71 [ Wed Feb 01, 2012 2:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How difficult is it to change the front struts on the 92
I was debating whether to buy a spring compressor or just nip down to the local garage for that bit. We've got a couple of old fashioned mechanics around here who probably wouldn't charge a lot to swap the springs over once the struts are off.

I've changed springs with more experienced people there to guide me before and from memory (on other cars) there's nothing particularly difficult about it if you've got the right kit. Obviously there's quite a bit of stored energy in the spring, so you have to be careful.
Author:  John W [ Wed Feb 01, 2012 3:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How difficult is it to change the front struts on the 92
On the 924 (And 44), if you remove the whole strut, you will need to get the whole front end realigned as the camber settings will have been disturbed. If you don't want to do that, it's possible to change springs/shocks/top mounts with the legs still attached to the car. Jack it up HIGH first!

1. Disconnect ARB ends from the wishbones
2. Unbolt top mounts from inner wings
3. Push whole strut downwards until its possible to pull the top of the strut outwards from under the wheelarch.
4. Apply spring compressors and change what you need to.

By the sound of your noise, I would hazard a guess that you have either a broken/fractured spring or shot top mounts.
Author:  DavidL [ Wed Feb 01, 2012 3:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How difficult is it to change the front struts on the 92
Spring compressors are cheap enough and ok to use. Just make sure you point it somewhere that reduces risk (if they come off they will go a very long way - you don't want this) and keep tightening the jaws until the spring is actually loose and rattly between the top and bottom. If it isn't then you will find that even a little bit of spring tension that is left will make you jump.
Difficult bit can be (if its the same as a 944) getting the nut off the central part of the damper as it goes round when you put tension on it with a socket. Ideally you need air tools for this to spin it off - here a garage will help unless you have a compressor - or swan neck spanners to allow you to get 2 on.
Author:  Chris71 [ Wed Feb 01, 2012 4:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How difficult is it to change the front struts on the 92
Thanks gents.

Out of interest, are the top mounts likely to show visible damage if they're knackered?

As far as I can tell the noise never occurs in bump travel. It's only when you're cornering relatively hard. Also, there are no obviously missing coils or anything like that on the spring.

Maybe the first step is to try new top mounts with the same struts? Presumably that would just entail jacking the front end up and undoing the top mount bolts.
Author:  John W [ Wed Feb 01, 2012 4:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How difficult is it to change the front struts on the 92
Yes, but you still need to drop the struts and compress the springs to remove the top mounts, so given the relatively small extra cost, I would change the springs too if I were you. And then, if you are doing that, you might as well change the inserts....
Author:  Carrera RSR [ Wed Feb 01, 2012 6:56 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How difficult is it to change the front struts on the 92
Not recommended and I have never done it :oops: , but ........

You could undo the top nut with the car on the ground and springs compressed by weight of the car. Then jack the car up very slowly so it all comes apart. Pop the wheels off, and pull all the suspension apart.

(OK I did use this method to change my top rubber mounts!!)

Likely places to find movement are

bottom ball joints
track rod ends/rack
top rubber mounts
I would also check the right hand side engine mount. Gets cooked by the mannifold and may be moving when turning the car
if you have no idea when the strut inserts were last replaced it may be beneficial to change

All would be best checked out first on a ramp with a large bar to put some strain on the components. If there are any big movements in key components the MOT should have picked it up unless its failed since.
Author:  bigdavec [ Tue Feb 07, 2012 2:52 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How difficult is it to change the front struts on the 92
Easy. Hardest part is getting off the insert housing nut !
Author:  eurocliff [ Fri Feb 10, 2012 10:03 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How difficult is it to change the front struts on the 92
Hi Chris,

piece of cake to replace the struts. (See my post on 944 restoration on here.) Best place I found was Euro Car Parts. I found I needed to replace the top end items too: sponge seals, dome, sleeve (These are main dealer 944shop and 911 are really dear). If you got a compressor and impact wrench then separating them from the spring is simple. Just remember, the spring will propel the strut a good 12-18 inches. Failing that, my local garage changed them over for a tenner a piece.

The job itself is well in scope of a novice with common sense. Make a note of the position of the eccentric washer on the bottom of the strut. This determines the camber. refurb the top mounts too and replace the nuts with stainless. Check your Anti-roll bar bushes while you're at it. If they need to be replaced do it and use poly's (You'll need to check the sizes of the inner and outer bushes on the bar as different configs are used. That done invest in getting your wheels re-aligned.

you need advice get in touch.
Author:  Chris71 [ Sat Feb 11, 2012 11:02 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How difficult is it to change the front struts on the 92
Cheers Cliff. Still umming an arring about how to go about it. Not least whether I go straight for new springs and dampers or whether I try to eliminate the play first and see how I get on with the old units once I can drive the car a bit harder. Still feeling a bit guilty for paying to have a perfectly good set of wheel bearings changed over when I thought the play was coming from there.

Do the torsion bars on the rear get tired over time? As I understand it, replacing the dampers is pretty straightforward on the back, but the torsion bar are rather more involved. If they're likely to have fared better than the coil springs on the front I guess I could fit new OEM-spec dampers all round and new springs on the front without touching the torsion bars. (Going for stiffer aftermarket springs would presumably require changing the rear torsion bars too to restore the balance?)
Author:  eurocliff [ Sun Feb 12, 2012 12:20 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How difficult is it to change the front struts on the 92
Hi Chris,

You're welcome! happy to help. You'll find a lot of folks are like that on here. very supportive while others are spectators.

In my experience, the torsion bar is best left alone. If it's not broke, it don't need fixing!! You could do a simple check by 'ringing' the bar by tapping it with a pry bar, small hammer or the like and listen to the tone. If there is fatigue you can usually tell by different tone of the 'ring'. Uprating the springs would be a personal choice however, if your springs are 'tired' then replacement is recommended but, seek advice if you're unsure.

Rear dampers on these beasts are expensive but you are correct that they are relatively straight forward to replace. Just remember to apply a coating of copper slip on the shafts and threads after cleaning the nuts and bolts. Again, shop around for best prices. Euro Car Parts carry Fechtal and Sachs parts which are OEM to the 924 and 944 models.

Where abouts are you in the UK. It could benefit you if folks know where you are as they may be a few mins from you and offer to come round and support you.

If you manage to find my restoration missive, I hope it will shed some light for you.

Good luck and enjoy it!
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