Status of Vert (78-1303) and some questions

[LOAF]

To all,

Currently finished rebuilding my 944 early Brakes.. I am preparing to mount them on my SB.. Could not have done it with alot of your help... Thanks for the remotivation... As I prepare of the work I have mapped out what I may need... but not sure as to where to source some of my parts..

For the front suspension already have at home the Kersher BallJoints-17mm.. GTG..

Bought from Topline the Flip Kit.. Installed..

Bought from above the Polyurethane Kit for the front.. Pending Install.. NOT SURE if I will need a press or special tools.. Can some one comment on this job or point me to a how to link...

Bought the Topline SB Swaybar.. Read something on the instructions about flipping it for a lowered car.. Also a little confused.. Worst case I call topline... Haven't gotten under the car in a while so not sure how the mount.. Are they clamped on.. of so was the kit suppose to come with clamps..(if I recall, they only came with bushings).. Can I get them at TOPLINE ?

Also where can I buy top mount with Bearing from my TOPLINE MAXX Struts.. Figured I would replace these get them built at a local shop since I don't have a spring compressor and just install.. This way, I save time and know that I have good solid suspension parts.. Alway can sell left overs or save for another project

While I am doing this will replace tie-rod ends.. Not sure where a good source is.. for quality at good price.. again.. figured somewhere like topline, CIP1, RockyMountain.. Suggested highly requested..

As far as the brakes.. put new rotors (PowerStop with Hawk Pads), rebuilt Calipers.. So that aspect is done.. Just some torque wrenching needed..

Would like to clean up the A-Arms on the suspension and paint them.. Not sure what to use Paint.. or POR-15.. What are pros and cons of each.. (curious).. What type of Paint.. Companies..

Can anyone think of anything else that may be required..
Steering Box rebuild.. While I am doing this replace Master Cylinder..
Thanks IN Advance
Alex

PS Will post some pics soon.. :silly: very excited.. about this progress..

[vujade]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by LOAF
Bought from above the Polyurethane Kit for the front.. Pending Install.. NOT SURE if I will need a press or special tools..

No you dont need any special tools. They slip right in. Just use the special lubricant supplied by Topline.

Bought the Topline SB Swaybar.. Read something on the instructions about flipping it for a lowered car.. Also a little confused.. Worst case I call topline... Haven't gotten under the car in a while so not sure how the mount.. Are they clamped on.. of so was the kit suppose to come with clamps..(if I recall, they only came with bushings).. Can I get them at TOPLINE ?

I lowered my car 3" using the MAXX struts and topline swaybar.
I did not flip my swaybar. No need to. As far as installing the swaybar, you use your clamps that you already have. Just install the new bushings. Its pretty easy once you get under there

Also where can I buy top mount with Bearing for my TOPLINE MAXX Struts

I used my existing top mount that I pulled out of my car.
If you wanted to, I guess you could find a donor car to pull one out of.

While I am doing this will replace tie-rod ends.. Not sure where a good source is.. for quality at good price.. again.. figured somewhere like topline, CIP1, RockyMountain.. Suggested highly requested..

I ended up buying mine from the local Pep Boys.

Would like to clean up the A-Arms on the suspension and paint them.. Not sure what to use Paint.. or POR-15.. What are pros and cons of each.. (curious).. What type of Paint.. Companies..

I didnt clean mine up & I do regreat it. When I do my front brakes though, I am going to clean them & then send them to my powder coater I use here locally. Powder coating is not that expensive and it will hold up alot better then paint on suspension parts (or any part ofr that matter).


Can anyone think of anything else that may be required..
Steering Box rebuild.. While I am doing this replace Master Cylinder..

My box was in really good shape so I didnt mess with it.

Thanks IN Advance
Alex

You're welcome

[Supa Ninja]

To install the urethane bushings you'll need a press to get out the original rubber bushings. If you have a press at you're disposal it won't be any problem.
The sway bar I got from Topline was for a lowered 1302 so it might be differen then yours. They bolt in, I also got the special "caster-fix" bushings for the sway bar.
I cleaned up my control arms and just sprayed on some Krylon Semi-Gloss Black and a year later they look great, I might powder coat them if I have a some spare money for that but for now they look great.
The tie rod ends that Topline carries are good, Just try to get German or at very least Italian, cause they will be of greater quality then Brazilian/Mexican.
I also replaced my Ball Joints with German ones, and I replaced my steering Dampener with a Brazilian one ($15), I couldn't see spending the money for a Koni ($100) one.
I also replaced my tie-rods because they had gotten bent from driving it hella lowered without flipping the tie-rods. And I replaced my Idler arm bushing with one of those Cu ones.
I know yours is a '78 so you don't have tie-rods and a steering dampener, but maybe someone with a 1302 will read this I'll tell you what it's like driving a new a car when the front end has been over hauled properly.

Nick

[LOAF]

Thanks.. For the response.. I will try to find a place here in NJ that does Pressing.. Co-worker mentioned NAPA may be able to press my bushings in.. Will check out..

BTW does any one know of a place where they do sandblasting or podercoating in NNJ.. or Central Jersey..Sorry off topic, but its for the suspension arms
Thanks
Alex

[Supa Ninja]

Alex you'll only need your old bushings pressed out, the urethane bushings are a two piece design so they do not require being pressed in. Good luck wit the vert.

Nick

[MattKab]

My Kerscher 17mm bj's took ~85kN force to press in.

Use the pinch bolt from the 944 and Aluminium grease is a good stuff for on the stud.

'Verts rule! Thanks for the progress update

Matt

[LOAF]

Matt.. Thanks but what is a Pinch Bolt.. Is that what holds the BJ in place on the spindle.. Can I use the VW beetle one.. My two sets of spindle did not have them on.. and would rather not deal with the local Porsche dealer..

Also trying to do some research on the rear:
I have 87+ rear suspension From a n/a 944.. I was going to attempt to swap everything but then realized I may be wrong.. For the conversion do you only swap out the arms and everything connected to it.. or do you swap arms and torsion bar assembly..

ALso asked a while ago, but don't think I was clear.. I got a response to removing Spring Plate off the bug with a tool I need to order.. BUT How do I remove the spring plates on the 944 torsion bar assembly with arm that is off the car and in my basement.. same tool.. This has me nervous as it can be dangerous if you never done this before..
THanks
ALex

[MattKab]

Alex,

The pinch bolt does indeed secure the balljoint stud in the stub-axle. You MUST use the bolt from the Porsche. Failing that you'll need an M10 bolt with sufficient length shoulder.

The Bug uses a stud with a diameter of 15mm and has an M8 pinch bolt. This M8 bolt lies in the groove in the balljoint which has a radius of 4mm.

The Porsche stub-axle mates with a 17mm balljoint. (Kerscher in our cases). This 17mm stud has a groove with a radius of 5mm, which requires an M10 shouldered bolt. The offset between the balljoints and the respective pinch bolts is different between the two. The Bug bolt will not work in the 944 stub-axle.

At the rear, you can fit just the caliper mount/bearing cap, if they're steel. If yours are alloy, I think you need the corresponding springplates. The Aluminium arms use a different geometry for the rear shock absorber. Also there is no rubber bump-stop.

The torsion bars on the Porsche will almost certainly be of a larger diameter than the '03. I'm using the stock torsion bars and springplates at the mo' with '86 arms.

I use a trolley jack to load the torsion bar so it is clear of the lower stop. then I pull the springplate out past the stop then relax the torsion bar. I have never tried one of those tools you mention.

'hope that helps,

Matt

[LOAF]

Thanks for the info on the rear.. will start new thread on the rear conversion.. Haven't seen to much info on the rear..
ALex.

[LOAF]

To all, that have helped by keeping me focused, and motivated.. finally had the time to attack the front end..
Here are some pics of the vert, UNDER Construction..

Things are going well.. Dropped the arms and all the supporting suspension components.. Now need some pressing done.. Guy at local shop wants 20.00 bucks a press.. Seems high.. Is this right.. Maybe I can work something out if not I am looking elsewhere..

The next few are pics... Here goes..
Alex

[LOAF]

Above was passenger side.. Dropped strut, arm, spindle with brakes..

Here is the driver's side.. Weird thing is there was some substance on the stearing thing.. Not sure what it is.. it has a boot around it.. and was black.. Shows my ignorance. but i am learning one step at a time..

Alex

[LOAF]

These will be replacing my old drum setup..

More to come..

Will be focusing on the Topline struts, pressing of 17mm BJ.. Need to buy new tie rod ends.. (autozone maybe?) press out old bushings.. install new SS lines.. and new swaybar..

Man can't wait for the next opportunity..

Here is the new set up.. 944 spindles (early) with Powerstop rotors and hawk pads..

Thanks for eveyone's help.. say that in advance because I know I will run into more issues with the front..

[LOAF]

Here's one more shot of interior and my "VOLKIES" girl friend wearing black.. and keeping Him company..

Both are sorta related? Right? Boxer engine..
Alex

[Racelook]

God damnnnnn a Subaru WRX:silly: :silly: :silly:

uuuhhh.. but also what a nice brakes

Greetings and keep up the good work

WIebrand

[LOAF]

Thanks very excited on the progress. WIll look for a machine shop next week for the follow-on work..

WRX stock.. but lots of fun.
Alex