Are there any DIY's for replacing front axles? Saw one for a 996 C4S.

Car's in for it's 120,000 mile fluid changes and tech found that both inner boots on my front axles have split.

To replace all the boots is $1400. New axles alone are $1100 from FCPEuro.

Car has 119,000 miles and I'm leaning towards just replacing the entire axle vs. replace boots.... then with my luck in xxx,xxx miles the joint itself goes bad.

Thoughts

 

Labor is way easier with buying entire units. I think there are places that might even sell you rebuilt ones with core exchanges for less. Have you looked at the 991 911 Technical manual?

 

Not yet but I'm going to start searching for info.

According to the tech, friend and fellow DIY'er he said in their manual there's a big warning message about removing the front axles. Something about the front diff needs to be taken apart or damage would occur. He is going to look further into this next week since no one at the dealer has done this work before on a 991.1. I hate to be the 1st one but I know they will do it right.

Anyhow all my 120,000 fluids were replaced today ....... I'm ready for another 120K.

 

If the car is a keeper, best to do things that need to be done, cheaper than buying a new one.

I plan on keeping mine long term and driving it like you have with yours.

 

It's a keeper..... The dealer is going to reprice the service to replace vs rebuild and we'll see where the labor charges go. I rather the saved labor charges go towards new parts.

If the savings are significant to purchase new axles through FCPEuro the dealer will put them in.

More to come.

 

The car is in for its front axle replacement and wheel alignment.

Should get it back at the end of the day.

I bought my new axles through FCPEuro for $597 ea.

I gave it some thought to DIY this but after reading the transaxle needs to be dropped to get the axles out I decided that my DIY skills would be pushed to the limit and to do this work on jackstands would be a bit tough for me.

 

Yeah, looking at the FSM it's pretty involved. Drop the front frame bracing, unstrap the gas tank, lower the final drive.. not a fun job, but nothing really that difficult. Just tedious.

Good news is that if you follow the FSM directions, you don't need to realign the car.

 

True on the alignment but I haven't had the car aligned for over 6 years and 110K miles.

The current set of tires are showing even wear up front but I've noticed inside wear on the rears. It's even wear left/right so it's time to get the alignment tweaked a little.

I'll know how much the alignment was out when I pick it up tomorrow.

 

Bump bump - updates bud?

 

That was wise to let your mech do the work. I did it myself on my 996 C4S back in the days and man... what I thought would be a half a day job ended up taking more than the whole weekend. I don't know how the 991 is built but you know... cars don't get simpler.

Please let us know how it went !

 

Picked up the car Tuesday and all is well.

There was a number of fasteners, bolts, etc that were replaced during this service because there's a number of items that need to be loosened or removed to gain access to the front axles.

Also had alignment done and surprised that only the drivers side showed any deviation from spec.

In looking at the old axles there was no play or looseness in the inner or outer joints so even at 120K the CV joints were still solid.

Knowing everything is back together and in good heath is great piece of mind for my next spirited drive.

 

I follow almost all your posts - your high mileage 991.1 just makes me feel good!

Is it poor form on this board to ask how much it all cost?

cheers

 

With buying axles from FCP and dealer doing the work including the alignment it cost $2915

 

Thanks or the update. Cost isn't too far out of line. I am assuming this was done by an indy? Would this be easier if it's not a 4S?

 

I bought the axles from FCPEuro and the work was done by the Porsche service department where I purchased the car.


Much easier. Because you don't have axle/CV assemblies in C/C2 cars.