Boxster 986 Complete Suspension Overhaul

[Bala]

Completed my front last week. What a pain without the right tools. Struggled for two day on the wheel bearing without the SIR toolkit. Then it was a breeze. Car feels very rigid and tight up front. Haven't test drove it for long but waaaaay different and me loves it. Will be doing the rear suspension, bearings and maybe CV boots this week. Maybe while Im in there i should look at the clutch, IMS? When does it all end?

[WhipE350]

Originally Posted by madmods

... Middle in all respects (materials and prices). So in perspective and in terms of durability, you could see a "scenario" like below:

Genuine Porsche parts = 5 years
TRW aftermarket parts = 3 years
Hamburg Technic = 1 year

So you got me buying parts and changing out a few for fun, not sure yet if I needed them but I enjoy something to keep me busy in the evenings. I got some control arms from TRW...they are the exact same as the ones I took off my car, the original ones are even stamped TRW. I'm thinking you can update that chart above ....oh and thanks for causing me to spend more money, guess I'll enjoy it while I can. I'm sure I'll be purchasing more, I just have to fool myself and do a little at a time

I'll report back if car feels any different. Oh I need ideas on sway bar bushings, my car is a 2000 Boxster 'S'.

[Dragonwind]

Subscribed! I was going to attack the suspension on mine this year too.

[Eric G]

Bala, I just took a look at vertex and their price. If cost is a concern... new parts from Design911 including struts, springs, sway bars and all of the suspension drop links were less expensive.

For ordering the parts from the UK you have to remember you don't pay VAT and the exchange rate means the price you see is 60% less when the exchange rate for the dollar is included.

For all of those parts my order came to only 1700.00 (with shipping).

[Bala]

Originally Posted by Eric G

Bala, I just took a look at vertex and their price. If cost is a concern... new parts from Design911 including struts, springs, sway bars and all of the suspension drop links were less expensive.

For ordering the parts from the UK you have to remember you don't pay VAT and the exchange rate means the price you see is 60% less when the exchange rate for the dollar is included.

For all of those parts my order came to only 1700.00 (with shipping).

I don't need struts, springs and sway bars.

Did that include the control arms and such? Can't be that less. Something doesn't add up. Their price quoted is in Sterling pounds. At 1.54 exchange rate it can't be 60% less even when you take VAT out. Madmods said the ones in his picture on this thread was just under 2900. I did not get a response from them. Ordered from Vertex already. Oh well!

[WhipE350]

I called my parts guy at Porsche yesterday and even with my steep discount of 10% over cost they still can't beat the prices of TRW parts online. I'm thinking TRW would be the parts to get if genuine too expensive, or do others like anything else?

[madmods]

....................

[madmods]

...........................

[Bala]

Originally Posted by madmods

Did you replace the control arms? Only the wishbones look new.

[AndyA6]

Very nice! One of these days I want to do the same.....

[madmods]

..............................

[madmods]

..................................

[WhipE350]

Well done! Won't be long spring will be there and you can really enjoy it with the top down.

[madmods]

...................................

[Eric G]

Bravo! Really impressed with the whole job. Right now I am living vicariously through you. First thing I think that will be showing up is a midrise lift. The wife said you are not doing this job on a set of jack stands so first that then the rest. Oh and for my last post...brain fart on conversion factors. Helps when you make sure your rates are going the direction you are buying not the other way around...doh!

[madmods]

..............................

[Bala]

Originally Posted by madmods

Good job... haha! Heard the bearings is a tricky job. It can be harsh to swap them even my indy here refused to change them on my car. He told me to come back when they are square !

Actually, if you are doing the suspension then the wheel bearing is an easy job. PROVIDED you have the SIR tool. I rented different tools from 5 different auto places. None of them can do what the SIR does. You definitely need the horseshoe as well. The jaw puller from pepboys worked ok but a struggle and it doesn't have good place to grab on to. I got the SIR tool kit and it was a breeze from there on. I did get all the tools rented for the suspension as well. Without them it's a nightmare.

I spent about 80% of the time cleaning up the dirt and rust that was baked into the parts - housing, rotors etc. The ABS sensors were fused in and I had to break them to remove them. One of the bolts is still stuck in there which I have to deal with.

[ed.w]

Thanks for Madmods for this thread. I placed order at design911 yesterday and gonna have a renovation of my car which has been sitted in car park for 1.5yrs and last 6 mth parked outdoor with just 1000km movement. Now I own it and having big project like changing those suspensions and control arm, and change new color.

Cheers!

[Bala]

My suspension over just morphed into bigger overhaul. Axle boots, probable IMS, RMS and clutch.

[madmods]

.........................