Bruce In Philly

2009 C2S 202K miles

200K miles and now a bad wheel bearing... actually, I am pretty OK with this because frankly, it was due. Symptom: Driving up in the Smokey Mountains Monday and Tuesday I was getting a quiet but audible rumble/snow tire noise in the front right... but only while sweeping left. Straighten it out, and sound stops. Get it up to say 60-70 MPH, and I have a slight vibration in the steering wheel. So I just lifted the front right, grabbed the wheel at 3 and 9 O'clock and pulled out and in. Yep, a super slight movement... click click.... dang.

What I find interesting is that it appeared all at once. I am super sensitive with this car and then all of a sudden, the noise and vibration.

I replaced the rear bearings as I did some other work back there at 159K miles... I figured since I had all those miles and had the thing all apart, I may as well just replace the bearings. Bearings are (were) actually cheap... they were $80 each, $160 total. Of course I will be doing both sides.

Also, I noticed about six months ago, the one front bump stop was crumbled and the boot up top was separated... I glued them all back together with some goop glue I have for just such sloppy jobs knowing I will be replacing them soon. I also have a jangle/rattle going over root-style bumps coming from the front... I suspect the shock mounts or whatever is up there is doing it.

So.... looks like a big hunt for parts... probably will swap out some or all the control arms just to refresh the thing... did all the rear control arms about six months ago. Once done, I will have a completely refreshed suspension sans new shocks. I am one of the rare believers who do not change out shocks due to miles or age... I wait until they leak... I guess I need to pull the wheels to check the shocks just to make sure they are fine.

So... stay tuned for a DIY coming for the front suspension. The big question I have right now, is do I buy my own press from Harbor Freight. When I did my rears, I could press the bearings in and out of the carrier with my Cole Porter impact gun (put the carrier in my home oven and the bearings in the freezer), but I could not get the hub out or into the inside of the bearings. I took the assembly up to a BMW speed shop and they did it for I think about $50 IIRC and they were using a Harbor Fright press setup. HF has their lowest pressure model for $169... hmmm.....

Peace
Bruce in Philly (now Atlanta)

Wayne Smith

I'd by the press if for nothing more than convenience and self-sufficiency. But I'm a tool addict. If there were help meetings in the area, I'd be a member. I'm so bad that these days I need to find someplace to put any new tool in the garage before I make the purchase.

Looking forward to hearing more about your project.

Bruce In Philly

So here is my parts list ... any questions or comments?
The lemforder strut mount kit includes the bearings... nice kit.
FCP has this all in stock... I used Meyle on my rears so will on my fronts. Read more here about my Meyle saga: https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...ues-meyle.html

Peace
Bruce in Philly (now Atlanta)




Oops, forgot to add a rubber spring pad. Trying to replace rubber stuff and I think this is it.

Wayne Smith

You had me at tool addict!!!!

Wayne Smith

Thanks for sharing this. One of these days ...

Petza914

Buy the press. Even if you only use it twice a year, it's nice to have. Will also let you put Powerflex bushings into old control arms instead of having to always buy new or rebuilt arms.

I've amassed a pretty extensive shop full of tools by deciding to not take my cars to an Indy or dealer and buy whats needed to do the job myself. Highlights are a heated, ultrasonic parts washer, large 2-stage compressor, inductive heat gun, 4-post lift, engine hoist, high lift transmission jack, smoke test machine, ultrasonic leak detector, AirLift kit for cooling system refill, etc.

Bruce In Philly

A few months ago, I drove a friend's 2011 C2S with only about 40k miles. Interesting to feel the differences. What did I learn? His car was tight. It felt like a new car. Not that my car was a sloppy drunk, but it was different.

I suspect the suspension and steering but I really don't know. Rubber bushings wear. Gaps become wider.. does a steering rack become looser?

Butt, oh that big butt, compared to the junk we drove in the 70s, my C2S is a marvel. Just something to admire.

Anywho... the second law of thermodynamics rules supreme... something I am reminded of every time I -- insert whatever here --.

Peace
Bruce in Philly (now in Atlanta)

Bruce In Philly

Ooooo.....Ahhhhh.... Hmmmmm......

Funny, when I was younger, the only thing that entered my thoughts were squishy globes o'fun.... now... well now my thoughts are filled with squishy globes o'fun holding tools.

Peace
Bruce in Philly (now Atlanta)

Wayne Smith

I've found that the mind can hold more than one thought at a time!!!!!

Wayne Smith

Take pictures using the new press. I want to see the details 😀

Tj40

I thought I was bad but....

1) You clearly have a bigger problem than me
2) I'm jealous

If you ever start a cult as opposed to joining a self help group I'm in!!

Bruce In Philly

Oooo.... got the parts... gonna be fun.

I will get stuck, panic, cuss in 12 different languages, mash a knuckle or two... gonna be great.

Peace
Bruce in Philly (now Atlanta)

Wayne Smith

That is a beautiful sight!!! Good luck. Send pics and instructions.

slicky rick

envy!!!!

JGEMDOC

enjoy !! - i just had all 4 done on my gt3 @ 60k miles. i had to do the rears on my past 997 so i kinda knew what was up. it amazes me that its that dead on spot of 70-80 mph every single time.