Porsche 914 - Suspension, Steering and a New Tool! [Project Bumblebee ep 12]

Ride shotgun with me as I restore a rare Porsche 914 LE ”Bumblebee” in my home garage. In episode 12 we tear down the front suspension, create a special tool and drop the steering components so they can be refurbished. The work is coming along fast and furious…and so will the episodes. Please subscribe so you know when they drop!
Tools and companies mentioned in this video:
914rubber.com/
www.amazon.com...
www.amazon.com...
www.harborfrei...
Please keep in mind that I'm not a professional mechanic and no video can replace proper experience. Don't attempt this work if you're not confident in your abilities. Please use this info at your own risk. As always, be safe and enjoy.

[@IanKarr]

If you find these videos helpful, I'd appreciate it if you'd subscribe...If I've saved you more than 3 bucks in time or parts, please click my Patreon link and join me for zoom calls, bonus content and swag. www.patreon.com/iankarr. Thanks!

[@TINKERGINEERING]

Here we go! Doing this front suspension tear down today. We have to come back to see your video😅

[@IanKarr]

Great to know that your project keeps moving forward!

[@johnjones3014]

Currently rebuilding a 74 we call PY (project yellow). Thank you so much for your videos.They are so well done with great production value.Thank you for your efforts, it makes our lives easier.

[@IanKarr]

Thanks, John. Glad you like them!

[@alecjones8235]

I got super excited when I saw this I’ve been wanting to do this to my 914 for a while now. I can’t thank you enough for these videos

[@IanKarr]

Glad I could help

[@thomaspalmer4251]

Who is the jerk that keeps disliking your videos right after you post??? Good content and thanks for posting your journey :)

[@IanKarr]

Ha! I guess someone who has nothing better to do ;) Too bad KZbin doesn't allow you to see who rated...

[@graemelliott3942]

Thanks for the detailed video!

[@IanKarr]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jacobhunsinger7793]

Appreciate you sharing your experiences!

[@IanKarr]

Thanks. I can't help myself ;)

[@HugoR12005]

Great video Ian, enjoy watching these and learn an few tricks!

[@IanKarr]

Thanks 👍

[@davedarling4316]

A few random thoughts: Did you know that the factory 911 manuals call the wedge bolt "wedge bolt (always replace)"? Seems like they never use the term without the qualifier, so you might think about replacing the bolts. (Also note that early 914s, up through mid-72, use a regular pin to hold the ball joint onto the strut.) You might have gotten that torsion bar cap bolt off just by putting an open-end wrench on the middle part of your hex driver. That can give you a bunch of leverage. Can work with some screwdrivers as well. Later, when you used the cheapo HF hex key, you could have just clamped some vise-grips sideways onto that end part for good leverage as well. The "other bar" that you removed from just below the steering rack is usually called the "crossmember". Those snap-ring pliers look cool! Hoping to see a link for them soon.

[@IanKarr]

Thanks Dave, as always. Great tips...these videos live forever so its cool that people watching and reading can have options. That's one of the things I like best about wrenching...there's always another way. My hex driver was too short to get a wrench around...and it was fun to actually find a use for (and destroy) a free HF free hex set. Yes, I will be replacing the wedge bolts. My diction could've been better...what you heard as "other bar" was me saying "auxiliary bar". I think the official name is "auxiliary support"? Just posted the link to the pliers in the description. Appreciate your taking the time!

[@gnrrpreacher]

Another great one Ian. I love this.

[@IanKarr]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Rocco101]

Way to go buddy always great to watch your videos keep up the great work

[@IanKarr]

Thanks Rocco! 👍

[@billcunningham8485]

Ian - don’t forget to post the link to the pliers. I’ve been looking for one like the one you showed.

[@IanKarr]

Thanks for reminding me. Just added to the description...

[@dirkrichards6022]

Ditto Thanks great work putting this together!!! I'm glad to buy my parts from 914 Rubber if you make the videos.

[@IanKarr]

Glad you find the videos helpful. Please tell Mark and the gang at 914Rubber ;)

[@billvanderpol]

Thank you Ian!

[@IanKarr]

Welcome!

[@r.arabian3056]

Another great Video Ian!

[@IanKarr]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@cybersurfer2010]

I already have my front end apart, anyway very usefull vid...

[@IanKarr]

Cool. thanks!

[@edlysne8567]

You should mention that on 72 and earlier cars there is not not a wedge bolt holding the ball joint on. It’s just a bolt that you don’t want to break off. Trust me I know.

[@IanKarr]

Thanks for the info Ed!

[@nicolaspoitrineau9152]

Hi Ian ! Great video again 👍 where can I get the “special tool” ? Impossible to un tight this bloody special nut ! 🥴 thanks ! 🙏

[@IanKarr]

Are you talking about the hex cap bolt for the A-arm cover? That's what I used my "special tool" for. All I did, as shown in the video, is cut a section of cheap #8 hex tool and slip that into a socket for leverage. Good luck!

[@TINKERGINEERING]

Hi Ian! What is the rubber the top of the front shock strut goes into on the top of the wheel well called? Shock Mount Bushing? Should that get replaced too? I am having a hard time locating that piece - as you said it’s two pieces now.

[@IanKarr]

Hi Frances! it's called the front upper strut mount / bushing. You can get them as a single piece like oem. The two piece ones are a bit easier to install

[@user-vt7pm3wu3q]

What’s the proper procedure if you need to reuse the strut insert, and can’t use am impact driver?

[@IanKarr]

I suppose I'd try to use something like a pipe wrench and protect things as much as possible.

[@victorlaporte7090]

At 12:58, Is that under the chassis? I'm having trouble visualizing where that is.

[@IanKarr]

That's inside the cavity where the fuel tank goes...

[@victorlaporte7090]

Hi Ian, I've probably watched this video a dozen times. I'm finally through one side of my car and about the start the other side. I'm a little embarrassed at how long this is taking me. But this is the first time I have ever done something like this. I'm at the stage where I need to remove the rubber gasket at the top of the strut mount. 1. How does one know whether those need to be replaced? The ball joint was trashed, and so was the tie-rod joint. Both were cracked, so I'm doing both sides. I'm just guessing the top gasket should be replaced. 2. Any thoughts on how to get that out without a press? Thank you for your fine videos. I'm not sure I would have gotten anywhere without them.

[@IanKarr]

Thanks, Victor. Sorry for the delay...been traveling like crazy. If you're referring to the bushing in the top piece, just examine it for cracks, wear, etc. If all looks good, you can reuse it. If you feel better replacing it, there are several options, including the two-piece one I used. Best to use some kind of press to get the old one out. I suppose you could torch it and get the rubber melty and pliable...but it will stink to high heaven!

[@victorlaporte7090]

@@IanKarr I've decided to replace the entire unit, plate, and bushing. There were dents and some rust on the seams, so I'm going with a new one. Ordering and sourcing parts have been the most time-consuming. Shopping for price and shipping costs is a full-time job. Thanks for responding.

[@housepumpinpc3983]

You know they sell those allens for 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive...

[@IanKarr]

Yep. But the ones I have are not long enough to reach

[@housepumpinpc3983]

@@IanKarr I bought the long and short ones. Very convenient.

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

What's the status of the engine?

[@IanKarr]

Without giving any spoilers...let's just say that the case needs to travel some more...

[@vintage76vipergreenBeetle]

@@IanKarr That sucks. 🙁

[@IanKarr]

Nah. Lots of moving parts to restoring a car (pun intended). Not surprising to take a few steps back every now and then.

[@mrGregorygchin]

Do you ever get mad?

[@IanKarr]

Ha. No. I get even ;)