Boxster 986 Complete Suspension Overhaul

[Bala]

Heads up:

Vertex has just put out a kit that includes 4 wishbone, 2 front ontrol arms, 2 rear control arms and 2 track rods for 995. These will also have the upgrded polyurethane bushings. They even split the shipping with me. Of course these are the rebuilt ones. Lets see how they fare. Got to be better than the crap i took out.

[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?

[thstone]

Originally Posted by Bala

Both wheel bearings seemed fine when checked with the wheel on but when all was reoved there is some play. Recommend folks taking out the wheel assembly to check. "Better to do it while you are in there".

Agree. Same on my car. Checking the wheel bearings with the wheel/tire on the car there was no play whatsoever but I planned to replace them since I was doing the CV joints. After I had the bearings out, I could feel a slight ginding and some play which would have only got worse with time/miles. Definitely better to replace them as long you're in there.

[madmods]

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[madmods]

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[AndyA6]

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

[Bala]

Originally Posted by madmods

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

[madmods]

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[madmods]

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[WhipE350]

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

[madmods]

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[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!

[shlim8]

Madmods,

just a quick update - it was one of the front control arms - the one with a fork like links and a ball joint. One side with excessive movement on the balljoint and the other slight.

They were TRW branded (or at least the box said TRW) and lasted 1 yr + and about 28k km.... (and a number of big potholes) hmmmm...

Changed the 2 front control arm and now the vibration through the steering wheel is almost gone and the handling is tidier as well. AND no more wooden floor board noises when going to uneven roads.

[madmods]

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[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?

[madmods]

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[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.