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Doing a Coil Over install - Anything else to replace?
I'm about to do an install of a KW coil over kit on the Turbo and was wondering if there's anything else I should (or must?) replace while I'm at it. Doing the conversion because the shocks needed to be done anyway, and thought that this would be a better setup than the lowering springs I have on it currently. I know the bearings are likely going to need replacing, but I want to take a look at them first because they're a pretty expensive part to replace if they're fine. Any thing else I should be checking over while I'm in there? Any things I should watch out for while doing the install more generally?
Here's a picture of the car looking like it was left in the wrong part of town over night:
If you're installing the V3s I think they dont reuse the OEM thrust bearings so you dont need new ones. Also get the 997 turbo front top mounts which fit perfectly on the 996 and only 90 per side from suncoast. This is a good thread on 6spd which helped me a lot during my ohlins install. Good luck.
I'd probably do fresh tie rods and consider what bushings to replace in control arms, sways, etc., or the whole arms. Anything rubber is 15-20 old now....
If your going to get a pricey alignment job done I would recommend all new control arms, 997 strut mounts, new strut bearings, tie rod ends, and swaybar links. I have been replacing suspension parts to get rid of creaks and rattles the last couple years. If you have the money just do it all at once and be done with it. It's what I should have done. I had a failed strut mount and a dried out ball joint making noise. If you haven't done so take the off the front facia and clean your radiators before they corrode and leak like mine and many others.
I'd probably do fresh tie rods and consider what bushings to replace in control arms, sways, etc., or the whole arms. Anything rubber is 15-20 old now....
^^^This
Originally Posted by 32krazy!
wheel bearings all around
And this^^^
Strut mounts would be good while you are in there as well as cleaning behind the fender liners/bumpers. Lower control arms/tie rods/other rubber bushings as mhawk said. Wheel bearings are a great thing to tackle while you are in there refreshing and then getting an alignment. You might find going to upgraded rear toe links with being that you are adding coil overs to have additional adjustment to align the car. Solid LCA's are a great upgrade on the stock control arms if they are in good condition.
Finally back working on this. Wondering your thoughts. I was told (above) that the 997 top mounts would work, so I went them. While they’ll work with the 996 I’m not sure they’re going to work with the KWs I bought.
The kw has a little notch in it and the 996 top mount has one bump; they’re supposed to mate, assuming to prevent the part from spinning. The 997 mount has three bumps so I don’t think the top plate ring will mate we’ll to the 997. Thoughts on using this combo anyway?? Should I try to modify the KW ring so it has three notches? Really don’t want to now have to buy new 996 oem mounts. Thoughts?
I'm late to the party but about to take on the same project. Any resolution with this @Taylorcar ?
If you're going low you will need rear toe arms because the stock eccentric bolt adjustment setup doesn't have enough adjustment range to get you back into alignment in the rear. The front tie rods do, so those are fine as long as the bump steer doesn't bother you. Usually the drop links attached to the sway bars need to be replaced with adjustable ones. I was able to use my stock rear links but my fronts are aftermarket. The top mounts on the front MacPhearson struts are usually worn out with cracking rubber along with worn bearings that the unit turns on. The 997 model top mounts are the go to, you can also get some aftermarket camber plates to replace them. You will have to get a four wheel alignment.
Last edited by Bernard IV; 02-01-2021 at 10:23 PM.
Reviving this again. About to start my DIY KW3 install on my 2004 C4S. Noted all the items above, but still I don't see the resolution of the 997 strut mount not mating with the kw3 front strut. Any resolution OP? Otherwise, questions for the others: The afternarket end links I got are not adjustable but seem longer than stock. I am upgrading my sway bars to H&R. I bought the car earlier this year with 74k miles on it, and a PPI revealed the shocks were on their way out, being Bilsteins. Any advice on things to check around?
01-28-2019, 08:35 PM
Doing a Coil Over install - Anything else to replace?
