Fitting coilovers this weekend - Any advice beforehand?

Howdy, I'm been very kindly loaned the use of a 2-post ramp this coming weekend to do some work on my 99 C4; the two jobs are to fit the coilovers and remove the AWD gubbins. I've done a number of suspension swaps over the years but none on a 911 and not with coilovers. So, is there anything I should be aware of beforehand (e.g. bolts that will definitely need to be replaced or any other do's/don'ts), or is all pretty standard stuff. I'll start spraying the bolts with WD40 so they have the best chance of playing nicely on the weekend. I'm really looking forward to going RWD and getting the ride height a little lower

Get some paint, or at least rust converter into the mounting positions on the shell if you can. I had none to hand when changing my rear struts so put a good helping of dinitrol on the areas showing signs of rust. Nothing seized on the rear when I did mine but I believe the front knuckle is a pain in the backside, but not an issue if your swapping yours out for c2 versions.

Get some proper penetrating fluid like plus gas or PB blaster. Expect the front hub carrier to strut pinch bolt to be completely stuck in the hub carrier. I got the nuts off of mine without too much bother but the bolts were welded solid into the carriers. I had to remove the whole assembly from the car. We tried a friends 6t press with no joy. In the end they had to go to an engineering firm to be drilled out. If you are touching the rear eccentric bolts (you will have to eventually for alignment if you are lowering) then be prepared to also have to cut these. They weld themselves into the metal bush insert.

Thanks for the advice chaps. I'm not swapping the hubs for C2 ones, I've got some spare stub axles already separate from the driveshafts to swap in. I'll try and order the rear eccentric bolts as I think they are a bit crusty.

Check the eccentrics on your toe arms are free, no good getting in for alignment to find these are solid and they can't do the toe. Been there and done that. Worth changing out all the lower arms and tow arms if not been done while you are at it. Well worth the effort and transforms a car.

:yeah: Depends how far you're going, eg replacing all the arms etc. but have an angle grinder handy with a slitting disc or a good power-saw. If the bolts are seized in the bushes you'll have to cut them. Be sure to 'damage" the old arms rather than your subframe as it's tight in there. Of course, if you do the above you'll need to have all new bolts ready. I'd change them anyway if fitting new arms. They aren't 'single use" but they do stretch after a few alignment setups and can feel tight when they're not, as the nut hits the end of the thread before everything is actually fully tight.

I've only got the day to do the job and will need to drive there and home again so I'll not be changing any lower arms and will be unbolting the bare minimum at this stage. Eventually I will change the arms however I'll do that on the driveway at home so delays don't take up ramp space.

Fair-do's, but at least check all your eccentric bolts are free for your alignment. You will need an alignment due to the amount of things you're going to be getting at. :thumb:

Make sure you have a pocket full of pound coins for the swear jar. Good luck. Rears are easy, getting the front inserts out of the upright is probably hardest part. MC

:yeah:

Hehe, thanks! :mrgreen:

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Watch this guys videos and hope yours goes so easy https://youtu.be/Q9cF56-jCRQ Definitely buy rear eccentric bolts ready to replace frozen in old ones and get some PB blaster.

I'll be interested to hear what you make of the RWD conversion on your C4. I've been thinking about this for a while but came to the conclusion that I actually quite like the way the AWD feels, perhaps it's just because it's what I've always known. You'll have to write up your thoughts once you've had the opportunity to get a few miles under your belt!

How long do you have to do this? To me the advantage of going 2wd is the weight loss, and being able to use suspension with better geometry at the front. You will get half of that. 2wd front uprights are so cheap that it is cheaper to change them. You can buy 2wd uprights, fit new wheel bearings, fit the struts, get them ready to go on, then remove the 4wd ones and sell them for more money than you paid for the 2wd versions. MC