987S Suspension Refresh

[vitaminc]

Also spending some time cleaning up the calipers so I can repaint them. So much caked on grime!

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[aboyandhisdog]

On the brakes, did you just crimp off the lines or will you do a full R&R of the brake fluid? A fluid flush is on my short list of projects for this spring, but I've tested the water content in the fluid and it is still showing "good" with minimal H2O content. Not sure I really want to change the fluid if it is testing good.

Great project, and you are on track for having much satisfaction from a job well-done! BTW...you should be able to get the toe right on with the tie rod adjustment just by sighting down the side of the car. One thread turn of the tie rod end does quite a bit and if it was right on before you began, you should be able to dial it in again without going in for an alignment. That has been my experience anyway.

[blueline]

Progress! Looking forward to seeing the caliper "after" pics.

[vitaminc]

On the brakes, did you just crimp off the lines or will you do a full R&R of the brake fluid? A fluid flush is on my short list of projects for this spring, but I've tested the water content in the fluid and it is still showing "good" with minimal H2O content. Not sure I really want to change the fluid if it is testing good.

Great project, and you are on track for having much satisfaction from a job well-done! BTW...you should be able to get the toe right on with the tie rod adjustment just by sighting down the side of the car. One thread turn of the tie rod end does quite a bit and if it was right on before you began, you should be able to dial it in again without going in for an alignment. That has been my experience anyway.

I did stop the brake lines, but they will still need a full flush. It’s due anyway since it’s been a couple of years.

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And I will need an alignment for sure! The front toe might be close. The rear will likely be off as I’m replacing the factory arm and eccentric bolts with Tarett adjustable arms. No way I’ll get that right!

[blueline]

I've been very pleased with Tarett products and the people I've dealt with there.

[vitaminc]

I've been very pleased with Tarett products and the people I've dealt with there.

Me, too! I had a bunch of their stuff on my 996.

[vitaminc]

Imagine my surprise when the rotor fell off the driver side wheel carrier as I was removing the damper! Fortunately it didn’t land on my foot. Nice that someone left those screws off. It seems one rear rotor only has a single screw instead of two. Nice work previous mechanic!

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[blueline]

Imagine my surprise when the rotor fell off the driver side wheel carrier as I was removing the damper! Fortunately it didn’t land on my foot. Nice that someone left those screws off. It seems one rear rotor only has a single screw instead of two. Nice work previous mechanic!

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Woah! Glad you found it when you did. Someone somewhere was disinterested, distracted, untrained - or something! Sloppy and dangerous for sure.

[aboyandhisdog]

A big reason I do all of my own work. Nobody to blame but myself. I can't remember when I have taken my vehicles to a shop that something didn't come back broken or with a fastener or two missing. People make mistakes, I get it, but for some $200/hour and triple the retail on parts, I set the bar a bit higher for the shop to give exemplary service. Usually disappointed.

[vitaminc]

Well, here is an interesting rear suspension parts issue. When I was ordering parts, I managed to get two sets of rear track rods (i.e., for maintaining toe)- one OEM-style and one from Tarett. Between the parts diagrams, updated numbers, and lack of clarity from vendors when ordering parts, I don't think this is too surprising. Fine, I will keep the ones from Tarett and send the others back.

However, this means that I actually didn't order the rear trailing arms. It turns out that the OEM equivalent parts (TRW) are out of stock everywhere! And OEM is $550 each, so not going to happen. So I can either leave the existing piece in place or order the EPS control arms. I have seen some concerning posts about the EPS arms breaking, so I am reluctant to go that route.

Anyone have experience with the EPS parts?

If I replace just that control arm alone at a later date if/when they are in stock, would I need another alignment?

PS- those caliper screws are only $1 each! I can't believe someone would leave them off. The PO's mechanic was not good. I've found so many missing fasteners and other issue related to their work.