first post - hello!

[Fen]

I agree with Tony - I'd start with the castor bushes as well - they can only help with the standard wheels too if you do go back to them in the end.

I think it's fair to say most people agree that 17's is the best compromise (provided they are light) - the 968 CS, generally thought of as the best handling of the breed, had 17's after all... So says Mr set of 16's and set of 18's

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the response chaps. Just been over the garage to check some stuff, measured the wheels and bugger me they're 18", not 17"!! Guess that would explain the tyres then.

Fen: Thanks for the photos. Why do you say changing back to the original wheels might not be as easy as I think? Am I missing something obvious, or do you mean finding them? Also, my 944 was advertised 'with ABS' (optional extra????), so would the D90's fit in that is the case, or not. Is there an obvious way of telling if I have ABS (apart from emergency stops!) or do you think it's unlikely to have it. Sorry for the simpleton questions, but I am 'Wiggy the mechanic', and find this forum invaluable.

And if I go down the castor route, where's the best place to get them, and would a tyre place fit them or is it best done at a garage?

Cheers,
Matt

 

[John Sims]

And if I go down the castor route, where's the best place to get them, and would a tyre place fit them or is it best done at a garage?

Personaly I wouldn't trust the job to anyone but a Porsche specialist, particularly as the geometry needs re-ssetting afterwards.

Re: Fitting other wheels:-

Early Lux models had bulkier front hubs to accomodate a different bearing, you shouldn't have a problem with your Turbo.

Re: ABS or Not

From memory, you should have an ABS warning light come up on the dash as you turn the key prior to the car starting. But I might be wrong.

 

[Fen]

ORIGINAL: matt s
Fen: Thanks for the photos. Why do you say changing back to the original wheels might not be as easy as I think? Am I missing something obvious, or do you mean finding them? Also, my 944 was advertised 'with ABS' (optional extra????), so would the D90's fit in that is the case, or not. Is there an obvious way of telling if I have ABS (apart from emergency stops!) or do you think it's unlikely to have it. Sorry for the simpleton questions, but I am 'Wiggy the mechanic', and find this forum invaluable.

And if I go down the castor route, where's the best place to get them, and would a tyre place fit them or is it best done at a garage?

Cheers,
Matt

It wasn't a suggestion of any problems, just that most Teledials you'll come across will be from a Lux and will be too small (15" IIRC - they would fit but they would not be right). If you look for Turbo Teledials or Fuchs you'll be fine. In fact the very Fuchs in the piccy of my old car (now my mate's) are for sale at Prestige Parts where they were p/x'd against a set of 17" Cups.

I can't imagine that your car has ABS unless somebody took the trouble to fit all the kit from a later car to yours. All the kit is struts, hubs, ECU, calipers, discs, pump etc. etc. ABS was not an option until '87 when it became standard in some markets and optional in some others. ALL cars from then on had the ABS offset hubs, but the offset only changed because the early hubs (like yours will have) could not accommodate all the ABS gubbins.

The castor bushes come from the main dealer. IIRC the offset bolts are the same on your car as the 968 ones so you don't need to replace them unless they are damaged. Get a specialist to fit them and set the alignment as John says above.

 

[Fen]

I found this link on rennlist regarding pre-'87 cars and wheel sizes http://members.rennlist.com/951_racerx/

 

[Guest]

Cheers for that Fen, very helpful website.

 

[Guest]

Right then, to start with I'm going down the castor route. Anybody reccommend somewhere where I can get the work done (or where you've had the same job done?) I don't mind travelling as long as it's not too daft.
Had a long drive today. Car is beautiful on good surfaces, but put a few cambers in and a touch of overbanding and I'm heading for the nearest hedge![] Not very nice at all. Still, hopefully the castor thing will help.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[944Turbo]

Not sure of specialists in your area, but the actual replacement of the mounts isn't that difficult, the alignment can be, particularly the rear as the bolts corrode so it might be worth putting some penetrating oil on the bolts a day or 2 before its booked in to allow it to soak in - the exposed bolts in front of the rear wheels are particularly prone to siezing.
IIRC the 968 castor mounts have a much reduced rubber content and are cheaper, the 944 mounts have a larger rubber content the M030 spec using a harder compound and are more expensive. If I was replacing mine again I think I would go for the 968 version, I currently have the 944 M030 spec but got them at a favourable price.
Tony

 

[Diver944]

I've always heard good things about Ray Northway at Beenham which looks about 15 miles away from Arborfield www.northway.co.uk He ran an open day for the 944 Register about 4 years ago, and was very knowlegable with 944's

 

[944Turbo]

Ah yes should have looked at a map , Northway are very good (I have used them a couple of times), they will definately be able to fit the castor mounts, don't know if they do alignment, but if not should be able to recommend someone local. The only downside with Northway is you often have to book 2 or 3 weeks in advance as they are often very busy.
Tony