2009 Carrera 4 suspension refresh - I should know better
#17
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Peace
Bruce in Philly (now Atlanta)
#18
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Done for the day.
Both carriers off and both struts off
Spring compressed ordered from Amazon
Problem found - yes. Passenger strut mount is frozen and was moving back and the three bolts on the top were moving back and forth. Wore off some paint.
Parts broken? Just one. When I removed the passenger side carrier the caliper fell off its bucket and the curved hard line is now straight.
So new brake line
The ball joint on the coffin arm on the passenger side is still good along with all the bushings.
Plans to replace
All 4 control arms
Strut mount and bearing.
Brake line
Once I get the spring off I'll decide about the struts. They are a little rusted but not leaking.
Overall I'm amazed how simple these cars are and what high quality parts are used.
Way less complicated than my 535xi with the N54
Compared to the 08 wrangler I needed a lot less heat and force.
Both carriers off and both struts off
Spring compressed ordered from Amazon
Problem found - yes. Passenger strut mount is frozen and was moving back and the three bolts on the top were moving back and forth. Wore off some paint.
Parts broken? Just one. When I removed the passenger side carrier the caliper fell off its bucket and the curved hard line is now straight.
So new brake line
The ball joint on the coffin arm on the passenger side is still good along with all the bushings.
Plans to replace
All 4 control arms
Strut mount and bearing.
Brake line
Once I get the spring off I'll decide about the struts. They are a little rusted but not leaking.
Overall I'm amazed how simple these cars are and what high quality parts are used.
Way less complicated than my 535xi with the N54
Compared to the 08 wrangler I needed a lot less heat and force.
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997ajk (10-01-2022)
#19
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Amazon to the rescue
Drivers side apart without issue
The strut mount is a little rusted but not bad
The bearing was frozen
![Name: photo138.jpg
Views: 630
Size: 1.72 MB](https://rennlist.com/forums/attachments/997-forum/1331727d1664727776-2009-carrera-4-suspension-refresh-i-should-know-better-photo138.jpg)
![Name: photo577.jpg
Views: 656
Size: 1.97 MB](https://rennlist.com/forums/attachments/997-forum/1331728d1664727776-2009-carrera-4-suspension-refresh-i-should-know-better-photo577.jpg)
![Name: photo760.jpg
Views: 646
Size: 1.79 MB](https://rennlist.com/forums/attachments/997-forum/1331726d1664727775-2009-carrera-4-suspension-refresh-i-should-know-better-photo760.jpg)
The passenger side still working on. The strut mount is frozen on the strut
This was the side causing the clunk
Drivers side apart without issue
The strut mount is a little rusted but not bad
The bearing was frozen
![Name: photo138.jpg
Views: 630
Size: 1.72 MB](https://rennlist.com/forums/attachments/997-forum/1331727d1664727776-2009-carrera-4-suspension-refresh-i-should-know-better-photo138.jpg)
![Name: photo577.jpg
Views: 656
Size: 1.97 MB](https://rennlist.com/forums/attachments/997-forum/1331728d1664727776-2009-carrera-4-suspension-refresh-i-should-know-better-photo577.jpg)
![Name: photo760.jpg
Views: 646
Size: 1.79 MB](https://rennlist.com/forums/attachments/997-forum/1331726d1664727775-2009-carrera-4-suspension-refresh-i-should-know-better-photo760.jpg)
The passenger side still working on. The strut mount is frozen on the strut
This was the side causing the clunk
#20
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So questions for the day
Replace the struts because I'm here?
The drivers strut is not leaking and has good rebound
Replace the mounts? I cheated on FCP and ordered mounts last night off eBay
The passenger mount was $150 on eBay and $180 on FCP. Usually I'll spend the extra $30 to get the warranty and the service. But the drivers mount on FCP is $300 vs $150 on ebay.
Replace the struts because I'm here?
The drivers strut is not leaking and has good rebound
Replace the mounts? I cheated on FCP and ordered mounts last night off eBay
The passenger mount was $150 on eBay and $180 on FCP. Usually I'll spend the extra $30 to get the warranty and the service. But the drivers mount on FCP is $300 vs $150 on ebay.
#21
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Strut disassembly
Step 1 - compress strut
![Name: photo53.jpg
Views: 660
Size: 1.79 MB](https://rennlist.com/forums/attachments/997-forum/1331729d1664741434-2009-carrera-4-suspension-refresh-i-should-know-better-photo53.jpg)
Step 2 - remove top nut
Step 3 - get out proper tools
![Name: photo464.jpg
Views: 700
Size: 3.56 MB](https://rennlist.com/forums/attachments/997-forum/1331730d1664741435-2009-carrera-4-suspension-refresh-i-should-know-better-photo464.jpg)
Step 4 - use said tools to remove strut mount. I think I'll be able to reuse it.
![Name: photo235.jpg
Views: 670
Size: 1.92 MB](https://rennlist.com/forums/attachments/997-forum/1331732d1664741436-2009-carrera-4-suspension-refresh-i-should-know-better-photo235.jpg)
![Name: photo4.jpg
Views: 662
Size: 1.84 MB](https://rennlist.com/forums/attachments/997-forum/1331731d1664741435-2009-carrera-4-suspension-refresh-i-should-know-better-photo4.jpg)
Oh - as of this post - the strut mount is still attached
Step 5 - price new coil springs
Step 6 - start drinking
Step 7 - cry
Overall this job is going about how most things go for me. Off to a great start and realize what a great mechanic I have become. Then run into a small problem that requires heat/force/cutting.
When I got up this AM I was wondering if I could fix this problem for $45.
Now...
Step 1 - compress strut
![Name: photo53.jpg
Views: 660
Size: 1.79 MB](https://rennlist.com/forums/attachments/997-forum/1331729d1664741434-2009-carrera-4-suspension-refresh-i-should-know-better-photo53.jpg)
Step 2 - remove top nut
Step 3 - get out proper tools
![Name: photo464.jpg
Views: 700
Size: 3.56 MB](https://rennlist.com/forums/attachments/997-forum/1331730d1664741435-2009-carrera-4-suspension-refresh-i-should-know-better-photo464.jpg)
Step 4 - use said tools to remove strut mount. I think I'll be able to reuse it.
![Name: photo235.jpg
Views: 670
Size: 1.92 MB](https://rennlist.com/forums/attachments/997-forum/1331732d1664741436-2009-carrera-4-suspension-refresh-i-should-know-better-photo235.jpg)
![Name: photo4.jpg
Views: 662
Size: 1.84 MB](https://rennlist.com/forums/attachments/997-forum/1331731d1664741435-2009-carrera-4-suspension-refresh-i-should-know-better-photo4.jpg)
Oh - as of this post - the strut mount is still attached
Step 5 - price new coil springs
Step 6 - start drinking
Step 7 - cry
Overall this job is going about how most things go for me. Off to a great start and realize what a great mechanic I have become. Then run into a small problem that requires heat/force/cutting.
When I got up this AM I was wondering if I could fix this problem for $45.
Now...
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ManoTexas (10-18-2022)
#22
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2009 C2S 183K miles
Some items.
BTW, nice form gashing your knuckle... a red badge of courage.
Peace
Bruce in Philly (now Atlanta)
Some items.
- I am really surprised to see you needed to compress the springs. I removed the mounts on my fronts without compressing the springs. The springs are tight, but with just a slight few turns of the nut, the springs are loose... no danger at all.
- Regarding removing that washer. I would have tried something a bit less extreme first. I would soaked the thing in PB Blaster or equivalent over night. Did you try that?
- Again, I did this work without removing the carrier.
BTW, nice form gashing your knuckle... a red badge of courage.
Peace
Bruce in Philly (now Atlanta)
Last edited by Bruce In Philly; 10-02-2022 at 05:40 PM.
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Floyd540 (10-15-2022)
#23
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Time for B16s with springs and new top mounts which negates the need for separating those old parts.
But I do admire your list of required proper tools!!!
But I do admire your list of required proper tools!!!
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Floyd540 (10-15-2022)
#24
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I'm in NE Ohio. They live salt. Weird part is the lower stuff all came apart without an issue. But both bearings were seized and the strut mount on the passenger side is seized to the strut.
Going to replace both struts.
I looked at 16's and also KW. Options without PASM are limited. Ohlins doesn't have any.
And all the coil overs drop ride height which I don't want to do. So it's either b4's or b6's.
Going to replace both struts.
I looked at 16's and also KW. Options without PASM are limited. Ohlins doesn't have any.
And all the coil overs drop ride height which I don't want to do. So it's either b4's or b6's.
#25
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Sounds like you're on top of things.
#27
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I used to live in Cleveland and Cleveland Heights. Commuted to Beechwood. Awful. No sun for three months straight... just that grey dome. Once a parking lot was plowed, that pile was there until late spring... grey/black crap. Had to get out of there. I had a blast, had a really good time, but just could not do it longer term.
Peace
Bruce in Philly (now Atlanta)
Peace
Bruce in Philly (now Atlanta)
#28
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The Ravenna Arsenal is where they stored all the munitions in WW2 because NE has the most number of overcast days in the country.
Anyway
Ordered new B6's and bearings from FCP
Hope I can reuse everything else
And new strut mounts from eBay.
Still hoping I can save the spring and lower washer and boot from this one
Did you know the strut boot is $109? I have seen over priced parts in the past but this is ludicrous
Anyway
Ordered new B6's and bearings from FCP
Hope I can reuse everything else
And new strut mounts from eBay.
Still hoping I can save the spring and lower washer and boot from this one
Did you know the strut boot is $109? I have seen over priced parts in the past but this is ludicrous
Last edited by dgjks6; 10-03-2022 at 12:58 PM.