E90 front strut for non sport suspension

porsche959 · 07-01-2019, 11:07 PM

Having trouble removing the front struts for non-sport oem suspension.

I’ve read most of the diys and videos and they seem to be on the sport suspension with shorter strut (even pelican parts).

The problem is, on my car the strut is about 2-3 inches too long to remove from the car. Even if I am standing in the brake rotor downward (doesn’t feel too safe either), there’s not enough clearance for the strut to come out of the holder.

Do I need to remove control arms or tie rods for the strut replacement? Which bolts/parts do I need to remove?

Thanks

PichaDis11 · 07-01-2019, 11:50 PM

You should only need to loosen your control arms to get the strut to fall down (If you may). Now if your strut is busted and is not retracting as it should then you'll need to compress the spring. Do be careful, this happened on my e90 which resulted in the rubber bushing of the strut mount tore away and out came the top of the strut with force.

gbalthrop · 07-02-2019, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche959

Having trouble removing the front struts for non-sport oem suspension...

Which model Porsche are you working on?
Is it AWD, RWD, X-Drive, Z-Drive or what?
What is the Model, Engine & build date?

porsche959 · 07-02-2019, 12:48 AM

For a 1993 Porsche 959.

Also for a 2006 rwd 325i - p959 in spirit.

Tambohamilton · 07-02-2019, 01:25 AM

I had to take the control arms off the hub on mine - even with the chassis end of them loosened, there wasn't enough droop to get the strut out.

I found it by far easiest to leave the strut top connected to the chassis, and drop the hub off the bottom. That way the weight of the hub is going in your favour. Just be careful of your brake lines etc!

Sayek · 07-02-2019, 10:02 AM

I have recently replaced both struts on E92 SE suspension.
Yes it was very tight to clear the strut mount bolt and not damage the bodywork.

But if you apply a LOT of force down on the disc it will clear and you will need to rotate the mount a bit so it clears the bolts.

Saying that I am not sure what damage would be done to the control arm bushes if they are old. For me I already planned to replace the control arms few weeks later so did not worry about the damage to bushes.
But otherwise i would suggest you loosen the 2 control arms to make life easier. The thrust arm bush is fluid filled i believe and known to be a weakness on the suspension.

Also you will need something to split the clamp holding the strut. Some use a screwdriver or whatever is available.. but to make life easy just buy one of these and some penetrating fluid and no effort needed.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BERGEN-To...72.m2749.l2649

07-01-2019, 11:07 PM	#1
porsche959 Banned 471 Rep 996 Posts Drives: porsche Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: chicago iTrader: (0)	E90 front strut for non sport suspension Having trouble removing the front struts for non-sport oem suspension. I’ve read most of the diys and videos and they seem to be on the sport suspension with shorter strut (even pelican parts). The problem is, on my car the strut is about 2-3 inches too long to remove from the car. Even if I am standing in the brake rotor downward (doesn’t feel too safe either), there’s not enough clearance for the strut to come out of the holder. Do I need to remove control arms or tie rods for the strut replacement? Which bolts/parts do I need to remove? Thanks
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07-01-2019, 11:50 PM	#2
PichaDis11 Colonel 295 Rep 2,202 Posts Drives: E90 N52 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: NY iTrader: (3)	You should only need to loosen your control arms to get the strut to fall down (If you may). Now if your strut is busted and is not retracting as it should then you'll need to compress the spring. Do be careful, this happened on my e90 which resulted in the rubber bushing of the strut mount tore away and out came the top of the strut with force. __________________ Retrofits: 322, 609, 6FL, 6NR, 6VC, 2TB.. Upgrades: Bilstein B8 Eibach Spring kit
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07-02-2019, 12:48 AM	#4
porsche959 Banned 471 Rep 996 Posts Drives: porsche Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: chicago iTrader: (0)	For a 1993 Porsche 959. Also for a 2006 rwd 325i - p959 in spirit.
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07-02-2019, 01:25 AM	#5
Tambohamilton Brigadier General 3058 Rep 3,910 Posts Drives: E91 330d Join Date: Apr 2019 Location: Herefordshire iTrader: (0)	I had to take the control arms off the hub on mine - even with the chassis end of them loosened, there wasn't enough droop to get the strut out. I found it by far easiest to leave the strut top connected to the chassis, and drop the hub off the bottom. That way the weight of the hub is going in your favour. Just be careful of your brake lines etc!
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07-02-2019, 10:02 AM	#6
Sayek First Lieutenant 49 Rep 395 Posts Drives: E92 320i LCI Join Date: May 2016 Location: London iTrader: (0)	I have recently replaced both struts on E92 SE suspension. Yes it was very tight to clear the strut mount bolt and not damage the bodywork. But if you apply a LOT of force down on the disc it will clear and you will need to rotate the mount a bit so it clears the bolts. Saying that I am not sure what damage would be done to the control arm bushes if they are old. For me I already planned to replace the control arms few weeks later so did not worry about the damage to bushes. But otherwise i would suggest you loosen the 2 control arms to make life easier. The thrust arm bush is fluid filled i believe and known to be a weakness on the suspension. Also you will need something to split the clamp holding the strut. Some use a screwdriver or whatever is available.. but to make life easy just buy one of these and some penetrating fluid and no effort needed. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BERGEN-To...72.m2749.l2649
	Appreciate 0 Quote