I am building a 944S for ITS etc. I am now putting 31mm gun drilled torsion bars in, on the rear suspension. I am going to use Weltmeister bushings. I have to remove the rubber spring plate inner and outer bushings. One guy who has done this recently said to use a vise, box cutter and huge pilers to get them off. He said it is many hours work. I did this about 14 years ago on the 83 944 race car, and I don't remember it being that hard. Does anyone have any suggestions for getting the rubber bushings off, so the Weltmeister can be put on?

Bill Seifert

1983 to 1987 944 Race Car

 

That's the same m.o. that I used, but it wasn't hours. I seem to recall it being a bit of a pain, but more like 20-30 minutes per plate. Maybe my blade was sharper.

 

I'm in the middle of the torsion bar nightmare too. I took the easy way out and bought a set of used spring plates that already had the bushings removed (that way I ccould conserve cuss words for the re-re-re-re-indexing!!). Word I got was the easiest way to remove the bushings is to cook 'em with a torch and then scrape off the molten goop. Sorry that's not very optimistic. If you do end up with pyrotecnics, I did find the only way to loosen the height adjust bolts was to heat 'em a bit (that and a pair of 3 ft. breaker bars). Best of luck to you--I'm sure we'll be cursing in unison this weekend.

 

Thanks, fellas I was afraid of that. The indexing should not be a problem. (Famous last words.) I'm junking the 83 so that's where I'm getting the torsion bars, and I hope to put the spring plates at the same angle as the ones on the 83. Whaddya bet I wind up with too low or too high, or worse yet too high on one side and too low on the other.

Bill

 

I did this recently and used a torch, utility knife, and a couple flathead screwdrivers to remove most of the old bushing. I then cleaned them up with a wire wheel on my 4" grinder. Worked great and didn't take too long: the first probably took about 45 minutes of messing around and the second took 10-15 minutes after I knew what I was doing.

I used Joe P's (Rennlist name M758) torsionbar spreadsheet from the 944spec webpage to figure out the indexing of the new bars- worked the first time (thanks Joe!).

 

I torched mine off my 86 944 turbo, lots'o black smoke but did the job. I would reccomend the torch!

 

Torch here as well. I used it on the inside though to heat the metal, it helped to break the bond between the metal and the rubber. Then screwdrivers, scrapers, and sandpaper to get the remaining bits off. It took probably 45 minutes each for mine.

 

Bill,

This may help.

http://elephantracing.com/project/94...ngplatediy.htm

Did you go to Nashville? Heard there were lot's of 944's there.

timo

 

Another vote for the torch. Lots of black smoke but it didn't take long.

 

timo944

Yeah, did. Kip Vansteenburg is unbelievably fast. He has a really cool car, but probably has 8 bazillion dollars in it. R.L. somebody's 944S was pretty fast, he's from Alabama. I shared Jud Scotts NA 944 because mine is bent beyond repair. He got 4th in the ProIT, out of 6 I think. There were7 or 8 in the SAARC, and I got up to 5th before a CV joint let go. We lost 2 CV joints over the weekend and the drivers side spindle (The hollow one) broke. The wheel and hub went flying, the caliper stayed on the brake line, and snapped off the hub. I had to drive 65 miles one way to get a new spindle, caliper, etc. got it fixed and started at the back. Then broke another CV.

You should have come, it was fun, and it is an interesting track, and hopefully with the SCCA on board, maybe they will improve it. They said they are going to have a double regional next year. Hope so, I sure wish the Tennessee Region would help some. I heard MidSouth, from Memphis will help next year. Tennessee is mostly an Autocross region.

Thanks for the site, and thanks everyone.

Bill

 

sawzall followed by wire wheel.

Less toxic fumes...

 

I used 2 days in gasoline bath.... then they came off like butta...

 

Same here.

 

how about gasoline bath, then the torch? Should make short work of the process right?

 

x-acto knife, pair of pliers, and a wire brush wheel on a bench grinder.

Although, I think I will try the gas and blow torch combo next time...