What are people doing for replacement shocks, there don't seem to be very many options around other than going coil-over which I don't want to do.
944 Shocks
- Thread starter supersport
- Start date
bmnelsc
New member
I used the Koni inserts for the front struts and new adjustable rears on my '91 S2. Great for a street car IMHO. My front struts were "sealed" units so the insert kits which require removal of the factory "innards" were the choice for me. Easy to do so long as you are careful with measurements, etc.
A more elegant option is available where you can have your struts reworked (cut and gutted and a threaded collar is welded on) and can then use Bilstein inserts. Search this forum for Bilstein and I'm sure you will find it.
A more elegant option is available where you can have your struts reworked (cut and gutted and a threaded collar is welded on) and can then use Bilstein inserts. Search this forum for Bilstein and I'm sure you will find it.
Thanks Bruce, the Koni option is what I have been offered.
924Srr27l
New member
The Buzz Word "Coil over" is often misused!
It comes from shock absorbers that also have the Coil spring wrapped over and around the shock body as opposed
to having a spring and shock absorber on different locations as some cars (Also like the rear 924/944/968)
So on your front suspension you already have coil over Shock absorbers
However many manufacturers have also marketed "Coil overs" as (Spring) Platform adjustable ride height shock absorbers and
a combined Spring unit which over time some enthusiasts call "coil overs"
If you're looking for replacement shock absorbers with your current front Coil Spring and rear Torsion Spring
without any adjustable ride height features this is fine, and there are a few options.
Do you know if your front Struts are sealed or do they have the unscrewable top cap ?
You should be able to see through the spring coils, and they may look like these.....
If so, you can take out the original Internals and Oil and fit an Insert from various choices
Are you looking for a Standard Ride quality and handling? or something stiffer....
R
It comes from shock absorbers that also have the Coil spring wrapped over and around the shock body as opposed
to having a spring and shock absorber on different locations as some cars (Also like the rear 924/944/968)
So on your front suspension you already have coil over Shock absorbers
However many manufacturers have also marketed "Coil overs" as (Spring) Platform adjustable ride height shock absorbers and
a combined Spring unit which over time some enthusiasts call "coil overs"
If you're looking for replacement shock absorbers with your current front Coil Spring and rear Torsion Spring
without any adjustable ride height features this is fine, and there are a few options.
Do you know if your front Struts are sealed or do they have the unscrewable top cap ?
You should be able to see through the spring coils, and they may look like these.....
If so, you can take out the original Internals and Oil and fit an Insert from various choices
Are you looking for a Standard Ride quality and handling? or something stiffer....
R
Mark, scroll to the bottom of page one on my thread for details on the Bilstein, they are more complicated to fit than the Koni inserts.
https://www.porscheclubgb../forum/tm.aspx?m=943494
cheers, Paul
https://www.porscheclubgb../forum/tm.aspx?m=943494
cheers, Paul
924Srr27l
New member
PAUL RUDDY said:
I've just fitted Bilstein B6 Inserts into my Unsealed Struts at the weekend, they are a lot Stiffer than I thought they would be.
The previous inserts were Spax Gas 14 Way Top Adjustable and the Bilstein's are harder and harsher than the Spax!
Koni Sport are hard too, as are AVO & GAZ.
If you bought some 2nd hand unsealed struts you could fit Sachs, KYB or Boge Inserts they would be a lot more comfortable if this was sought after.
R
924Srr27l said:
Not an option.
Judging by Marks signature script his car is an 87MY therefore he will have late offset sealed front struts, only early offset cars have the 'screw top' front struts , that's why replacing the later offset suspension offers no easy upgrades.
Paul
924Srr27l
New member
PAUL RUDDY said:
Ok, I was thinking some were and some not (Sealed)
I don't know what Make these are apart from Pricey!
https://www.porscheshop.co.uk/porsche-mechanical-parts/porsche-944-mechanical-parts-1982-to-1992/porsche-944-suspension-1982-to-1992/front-suspension-leg-944-87-89-o-s.html
R
If it is just for road use, with standard heights and springs a new set of the originals will probably improve things greatly. My 2.5na with approx 120,000 miles had shockngly poor originals, and was much improved with new replacements. My coupe turbo, I replaced them at around 100,000 and 12 years old and there was an inprovement but the originals were in better shape. Leda used to offer a non coil over rear / coil over front which I ran as a mostly road set, they were close to standard on the softest settings, I would of thought gaz could build something similar.
What are your aims with car, is it for road use, standard ride height?
Tony
What are your aims with car, is it for road use, standard ride height?
Tony
My indie, said the originals were no longer available along with various other components, so he basically offered me a full coil-over super adjustable or the koni approach.
I just don't to be spending the £3K or whatever for the adjustable and just don't need it. I do the odd track day, but it's the wife's car and she wants it pretty much standard. I think ideally I would just replace with new standard, if we could actually get them.
Turns out that the anti-roll are dead, knackered and might as well not be there, but the shocks aren't actually dead. So the starting point is to go poly bush around on the anti-roll bars and see where we are.
The koni approach doesn't sound too bad and should do what I/we want so I think we will almost certainly go that way.
It's going to be a bit of a balancing act, want to get the car back to something nice, as it's been off the road for 2 1/2 years. I finally got my finger out and put it put back together, but MOT man said it won't pass again. So this year it's going to get new sills and rust sorted and then we tackle the interior, the cloth is ripped and carpets are a bit skanky. So need to balance the costs a bit.
I just don't to be spending the £3K or whatever for the adjustable and just don't need it. I do the odd track day, but it's the wife's car and she wants it pretty much standard. I think ideally I would just replace with new standard, if we could actually get them.
Turns out that the anti-roll are dead, knackered and might as well not be there, but the shocks aren't actually dead. So the starting point is to go poly bush around on the anti-roll bars and see where we are.
The koni approach doesn't sound too bad and should do what I/we want so I think we will almost certainly go that way.
It's going to be a bit of a balancing act, want to get the car back to something nice, as it's been off the road for 2 1/2 years. I finally got my finger out and put it put back together, but MOT man said it won't pass again. So this year it's going to get new sills and rust sorted and then we tackle the interior, the cloth is ripped and carpets are a bit skanky. So need to balance the costs a bit.
New standard units are available from Porsche, I almost went the standard route myself, from memory I think about £500 a pair.
cheers, Paul
****Edit, email from my OPC November 2016******
"Hi Paul
A pair of front struts would be £464.75
This includes VAT and 15% discount and they are available from Porsche UK."
cheers, Paul
****Edit, email from my OPC November 2016******
"Hi Paul
A pair of front struts would be £464.75
This includes VAT and 15% discount and they are available from Porsche UK."
924Srr27l
New member
supersport said:
These could be new ones sourced from an OPC then? the website says they are in stock,
https://www.porscheshop.co.uk/porsche-mechanical-parts/porsche-944-mechanical-parts-1982-to-1992/porsche-944-suspension-1982-to-1992/front-suspension-leg-944-87-89-o-s.html
£600 a pair though !
I'd stick with OE Rubber Bushes if you want it pretty much standard, not Poly.
The difference between these shocks above and Rubber bushes v Koni shocks and Poly will be extensive and much harsher, better for track use but maybe not if the missus wants a standard ride quality?
R
924Srr27l
New member
Is their a reasonable market then to have some struts made which can take the early Inserts?
Then the choices would be much more extensive.
I guess the cost would end up more though to buy bespoke made rebuildable Strut bodies with a Spring pan and the lower
bracket welded on + the cost of the insert. But it would be a better long term plan.
R
Then the choices would be much more extensive.
I guess the cost would end up more though to buy bespoke made rebuildable Strut bodies with a Spring pan and the lower
bracket welded on + the cost of the insert. But it would be a better long term plan.
R
924Srr27l said:
£600 a pair, ouch!
The wife just doesn't want it as stiff as the 911, where as I [8D]
Briggy
PCGB Member
edh said:
That may have been me, on TIPEC http://forums.tipec.net/v....php?f=25&t=20971. OEM struts may be available, but have not been manufactured for many years. Front struts are December 2003 & springs are March 2004. I bought some from OPC Tewkesbury and they were way past their best so I got a refund.
I went for Bilstein B6 inserts in the end, which requires cutting and welding of the strut. If you're interested, the engineer who did mine is also willing to do the same for others - that's the cutting and welding, not fitting the whole thing. Take a look at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgrRt0Hyhr0 for the whole thing, start to finish. I also know where to get the threaded inserts that you would need.
Cheers,
Bryan
The adapters for Bilstein struts are available from
http://www.sportwagenparts.de/shop_content.php?coID=82
I also believe Nickson Mootorsport in the UK were looking to have some made.
http://www.sportwagenparts.de/shop_content.php?coID=82
I also believe Nickson Mootorsport in the UK were looking to have some made.
Do a search on this forum - there are plenty of threads about shock absorbers.
For what it's worth, I reckon that the best option on the market at the moment is the Bilstein inserts. Yes it's a hassle to have the struts adapted to take them but it's so, so worth while. They are more compliant than the Koni inserts but give a significantly taut ride. It's hard to explain but I knew the difference between the Konis and the Bilsteins the moment I got into the car I don't even need to drive it to feel the difference.
My only regret with the Bilsteins is that I didn't do it 8 years ago. I fitted the Koni's as they were cheaper and, in retrospect, I shouldn't have done.
For what it's worth, I reckon that the best option on the market at the moment is the Bilstein inserts. Yes it's a hassle to have the struts adapted to take them but it's so, so worth while. They are more compliant than the Koni inserts but give a significantly taut ride. It's hard to explain but I knew the difference between the Konis and the Bilsteins the moment I got into the car I don't even need to drive it to feel the difference.
My only regret with the Bilsteins is that I didn't do it 8 years ago. I fitted the Koni's as they were cheaper and, in retrospect, I shouldn't have done.
944 man said:
That's right Simon, Dave Oneill can get them made as well, he will also sell you a set of tubes converted ready for you to put your inserts into.
cheers, Paul
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