Is this a DIY?

Linda · 28 Mar 2013

Friend of mine has a Targa 2002 996.

He wants to swap the coffin arms and fork arms (thrust arms?) but is this a DIY job?

He is OK at this stuff, but as I always get a garage to do everything, i dont know the ins and outs.

cheshire911 · 28 Mar 2013

I'm no Porsche technician but it is my understanding that changing coffin arms requires a geo. Also I guess much of these things can be seized up with grime and debris and are easier to fix when the car is up on a ramp.

So I'd guess it is not a DIY job - crawling under on axle stands, grazing knuckles etc can't be much fun!

Ducky · 28 Mar 2013

Having the right tools for the job makes the world of difference, if he's not got the tools then I would get it done by a garage. :thumb:

Linda · 28 Mar 2013

Ducky said:
Having the right tools for the job makes the world of difference, if he's not got the tools then I would get it done by a garage. :thumb:

Anything special for the job?

He has usual sockets and spanners and he said he has a ball joint splitter.....

Ducky · 28 Mar 2013

Not done that job myself on a Porsche, but electric impact guns make light work of stuck nuts in tight spaces

. If he gives it a look over he should be able to work out if he has the tools to do the job.

Would still need a GEO session afterwards though.

:thumb:

vlad · 28 Mar 2013

Bought all the parts intending to do myself (so saved a packet on Porsche supplied prices) then tried to do myself - didn't have right size spanners/sockets - think it was 18mm and 22mm - bought those undid everthing - then found my ball joint splitter wasn't suitable - put it all back together - gave parts to my OPC who did the job (an hours extra labour) while I had the car in for its annual service and geo check afterwards.

Obviously they can't warranty the parts - but result

cheshire911 · 28 Mar 2013

I'd say given it's an hours labour by the previous reply, that equates to about £60 - £72 at an independent and he'sgive 12 months warranty on it if he buys the parts and fits them. Lot of hassle to save £60 and have no warranty and STILL have to take it to an independent or OPC for a full geo?!?

GT4 · 28 Mar 2013

As I said to Kench last week:

GT4 said:
Top mounts aren't DIY if you have to ask are they DIY.

Personally, I'd get all the suspension stuff done professionally, as it will need a geo anyway (and I am assuming by one and the same)

infrasilver · 28 Mar 2013

GT4 said:
As I said to Kench last week:

GT4 said:

Top mounts aren't DIY if you have to ask are they DIY.

Personally, I'd get all the suspension stuff done professionally, as it will need a geo anyway (and I am assuming by one and the same)

Click to expand...

Although you'd never know anything unless you gave it a go.

I'd say the coffin arms are easy DIY with the correct ish tools. (irrelevant to this post but top mounts slightly harder as there is more to undo)

If one arm is due then the others can't be far behind, that may mean 4 hours labour if everything undoes easily more if they take longer to remove. Get used to doing one arm and the others will be easy when the time comes.

Linda · 28 Mar 2013

Thanks for the replies.

He has seen on some other forum (rentech?) that a geo is not needed.......

GT4 · 28 Mar 2013

infrasilver said:
GT4 said:

As I said to Kench last week:

GT4 said:

Top mounts aren't DIY if you have to ask are they DIY.

Personally, I'd get all the suspension stuff done professionally, as it will need a geo anyway (and I am assuming by one and the same)

Click to expand...

Click to expand...

Although you'd never know anything unless you gave it a go.

I'd say the coffin arms are easy DIY with the correct ish tools. (irrelevant to this post but top mounts slightly harder as there is more to undo)

If one arm is due then the others can't be far behind, that may mean 4 hours labour if everything undoes easily more if they take longer to remove. Get used to doing one arm and the others will be easy when the time comes.

The point I was trying to make (which may have been more evident in the thread that quote came from), was that coming from the point of view of not having a "feel" (for want of a better description) of the overall process and some idea of the components involved means it may not be suitable as a "DIY" (DIY of a bulb change or a spark plug change are just grades of experience - or adventure!)

So I agree you have to start somewhere in order to get to the more complex stuff (and I fully support that voyage of discovery and satisfaction).

But whereas I would happiy advise anyone on a bulb change, the same person who needs advice about a bulb change is perhaps not the best person to attempt a full spark plug set change - at that point I would feel more confident of advising a professional do the work.

The added issue with any suspension work is the fact that realistically, a full geo (which can't in all good conscience be stretched to a DIY definition) will be required.

So from that point of view, I personally would defer the remedial works as a whole to those doing the alignment (it also keeps the liability to one point of contact, rather than multiple parties, if there were ever any problem/complaint/re-work required)

infrasilver · 28 Mar 2013

I agree with what you are saying as its always easier to answer the "is it DIY" question when you know the competence of the home mechanic.

cheshire911 · 28 Mar 2013

I think GT4 illustrates the point well with his analogy of a bulb change versus spark plug change.

Don't know where the thread on Rennlist or Renntech says coffin arms do not require a geo. I always understood this requires a geo.

That being so, it is probably better to keep one point of liability by entrusting the replacement of parts and the geo to a single person/business.

On a personal note, I am never tempted to have a go in case I end with abigger bill - but that's personal choice and lack of willingness to take risks - I'd rather engage a professional to do it and make sure he does it right first time - that's why I'm paying him after all!

infrasilver · 28 Mar 2013

I guess what has been read on renn???? is that they marked everything up and didn't feel the need to set Geo after as they put it back the same way, it may drive okay but not in the way it should, it may wear the tyre in an unusual way or tramline.

The trouble is with our cars they are so sensitive to small changes and when a rubber bush has delaminated it could be giving the wrong angles if it had been previously set up with a slightly worn bush then a new one is fitted giving a new degree of an/the arm etc.

Do as much work as possible on the suspension then get it set up again.
I'm fitting a full set of rear poly bushes and new springs soon but will be doing them all at the same time then getting the Geo reset.