How to check suspension

algray · Nov 29, 2004

Could someone please tell me how to check the dampers/shocks on a 993 without taking it on the track. I can't detect any suspension problems when driving from A to B. I would like to do a few things before venturing on the track. I already have a strut brace, which I only plan to use once I experience what the
car is like without it (on the Track)....with most things I do I need a reference point for improvement, because if I can't tell the difference whats the point.

I plan to do at least one track day next year, the car has 70K miles on the clock...

This car as spent too many days just sitting in the garage and not enough days driving.....I'm ashamed to say I have only done approx. 2K miles this year.

38F3E1 · Nov 29, 2004

I know for the average driver (I include myself in that) that it is difficult to tell. I thought my car felt a little floaty in some corners but not really bad in any way so took it into my local independent. After a quick drive he told me the shock absorbers were not working properly. We found the left rear shock absorber was leaking badly and was completely ineffective and the others did not look to good.

Other than that look at any old records you have. If there is no proof they have been changed in the last 40,000 miles you can assume they need replacing. That seems to be the max they will last.

38F3E1 · Nov 29, 2004

In fact if you are thinking of tracking the car I would recomend having a check over by an OPC or independent anyway.

algray · Nov 30, 2004

ORIGINAL: ian_uk

In fact if you are thinking of tracking the car I would recomend having a check over by an OPC or independent anyway.

Thanks Ian, I think I will do that, I can't find any records of any suspension change, so I guess its still the original shocks. I might as well change them.

Alex G

Guest · Nov 30, 2004

My car had 53000 miles on it when the front shocks and mounts needed replacement. Actually they mat have needed to be replaced earlier as that was when I bought the car. JZ (who I use) also told me my rear shocks had a little but not much life left in them so they will be changed after the winter with the new brake discs and pads.

Of course another 4 wheel alignment and geo will be need then too !!

algray · Nov 30, 2004

ORIGINAL: WillD

My car had 53000 miles on it when the front shocks and mounts needed replacement. Actually they mat have needed to be replaced earlier as that was when I bought the car. JZ (who I use) also told me my rear shocks had a little but not much life left in them so they will be changed after the winter with the new brake discs and pads.

Of course another 4 wheel alignment and geo will be need then too !!

Do you plan to take your car to a OPC for the 4 wheel alignment ?

Alex G

Guest · Nov 30, 2004

No I do not use OPC as IMO they are not as knowledgable on earlier models like the 993 in fact they have missed things that a specialist and myself have found. So I use JZ as I find them very good, they have a fantastic reputation in the Porsche world and it is easy for me to get the car to and from them in the working week using the mainline trains to and from London Euston (near where I work).

http://www.jzmachtech.com/index.html

algray · Nov 30, 2004

Hi Will,
I would love to use JZ but they are quite a distant from me, I'm in Swindon, Wiltshire

Hi Maurice
I hear what saying..I can't relate to the "floaty feel" , but I do notice that if I hit a bump in the road mid-corner, the car appears to hop forcing me offline.

I contacted the OPC about replacement shocks they are more expensive than the Bilstein HD's, so HD's it is .......contacted Gert from www.cernewal.com and placed an order.
Since the car is has the M033 setup, I would prefer to keep this height.

This brings me on to the other issue, even with the lowered suspension(M033), I get what can only be described as "whee-lying" down the road when going at high speeds, this give so confidence in the car at the moment.

1. Should I lower the front to the RS height to cure lift
2. Install a RS front spoiler with RS height " " "
3. Has anyone had anyproblems with installing Bilstein HD's (extra thread on the front shocks)

I do normally travel with a full tank(92ltrs) before anyone ask, I would like the front-end to feel more planted

Thanks

Alex G[:-]

algray · Nov 30, 2004

ORIGINAL: MoC2S

Steady, Alex !

Have no idea what you mean by "whee-lying" but any sort of instability at high speed is frequently suspension / alignment related ...

1 911s run best about 1 degree nose down, so not much !
2 Aero packages are just that - not to be done partially - 993s generate a fair amount of lift at the rear above 100mph, and one of the most neutral packages is the 'normal' RS one (ie not Clubsport)
3 Many people have fitted these without problems - but a full alignment (with Kine) and corner balancing are recommended

Maurice....maybe I should explain what I mean by "whee-lying" , I know its me, just me that I'm use to front engined-cars which feel much different at speed.
911's just don't feel as heavy at the front IMO.

I do plan to do a full alignment after the suspension is sorted [

]

Alex

38F3E1 · Nov 30, 2004

Alex.

The aero packages are design to be fitted as a set. Therefore if you want to fit the RS front splitters you should really be fitting the RS rear wing as well otherwise the car can be unbalanced at high speed.

If you are going to expense of fitting Bilstein HDs have you thought about going the extra bit and getting the M030 + HD kit from Gert. Apart from the extra cost of the parts the extra labour involved with this should not be that bad as you are already paying to have the suspension messed with and will have to pay for a full alignment anyway after having the shocks changed. I think you would find the car feels much more planted with the full M030 change and would be better value than an RS splitter.

This is the route I have decided to go because my shocks need replacing and I too have M033 currently. Trouble is having got over that decision hurdle I am now thinking ... if I have to pay for alignment anyway why not have the LWF conversion done whilst they are in there as changing the clutch requires realignment .... ahhhh.

I expect a few people will now jump in with "...but if you are going to the expense of M030 why not go for the PSS9 suspension setup....." [

]

Ian.

38F3E1 · Nov 30, 2004

I know this might be sacrilege but my old VW beetle used to feel much more planted at the front with a couple of bags of sand carried in the front. Has anybody ever tried this? I have never heard anybody discuss it.

algray · Nov 30, 2004

ORIGINAL: ian_uk

Alex.

The aero packages are design to be fitted as a set. Therefore if you want to fit the RS front splitters you should really be fitting the RS rear wing as well otherwise the car can be unbalanced at high speed.

If you are going to expense of fitting Bilstein HDs have you thought about going the extra bit and getting the M030 + HD kit from Gert. Apart from the extra cost of the parts the extra labour involved with this should not be that bad as you are already paying to have the suspension messed with and will have to pay for a full alignment anyway after having the shocks changed. I think you would find the car feels much more planted with the full M030 change and would be better value than an RS splitter.

This is the route I have decided to go because my shocks need replacing and I too have M033 currently. Trouble is having got over that decision hurdle I am now thinking ... if I have to pay for alignment anyway why not have the LWF conversion done whilst they are in there as changing the clutch requires realignment .... ahhhh.

I expect a few people will now jump in with "...but if you are going to the expense of M030 why not go for the PSS9 suspension setup....." []

Ian.

Hi Ian
I hate people like you[], now you have me thinking about doing other bits to the car....seriously though,I thought about going for the MO30 setup, but I do like the comfort of the M033, and PSS9 would be a over kill for my needs. mmmm M030 kit [8|] should I or shouldn't I

I too plan to go for a LWF when my clutch needs changing.

Alex

algray · Nov 30, 2004

ORIGINAL: ian_uk

I know this might be sacrilege but my old VW beetle used to feel much more planted at the front with a couple of bags of sand carried in the front. Has anybody ever tried this? I have never heard anybody discuss it.

I guess its something you just don't talk about after all the 993 is Perfect[:-]

jmspear · Dec 2, 2004

algray,

If you haven't got your new shocks fitted yet, try Peter Tognola at Datchet. He fitted Pss9's RS anti roll bars and a new steering rack and full suspension set up incl corner weigthing for under half the amount i was quoted at OPC swindon and Autofarm.

(I supplied all the bits, a/r bars from Carnewal, PSS9's and rack from bert gear - I am a procurement consultant during the day!!!!)

It was an excellent job, he was a great and very knowledgeable guy with all the kit an a 993 RS clubsport to die for!

Bit of a journey but worth it. I live in Cirencester and i made the trip!

John

willstatt · Dec 2, 2004

On the subject of JZ. I live a long way from them too... up in Leicestershire in fact, but I had heard so much good feedback about them, that I decided they were worth the journey. They have some very reasonable hire cars available too, so I just leave my C4 there for a couple of days and am confident that any work done is to the highest standard.

Will

algray · Dec 2, 2004

Hi John,
Thanks for the info. Do you track your car ?. The shocks arrived today (Bilstein HD's ) I haven't decided were I will have them fitted, but when I do it will be based on a reccomendation.

Will,.......... what the rates on the hired car at JZ ?

Question
1. Does anyone know what the standard height for the 993 range i.e. is C2, C4, Turbo and RS
2. Is there a relation ship between the front height and the Rear height, if so what is it

eg. 993 M033
front height: lets say 144mm
Rear height: lets say 127mm
differnce= 17mm from front to rear

Reason I'm asking is that 993's normally sit lower at the rear .

AlexG

algray · Dec 3, 2004

Thanks Maurice.......I think I will keep the standard M033 height....why change it when it seems work just fine[8D]

AlexG

968er · Dec 3, 2004

Alex,

Lets have some feedback once the HD's are fitted as I am going down that route, but with christmas looming trying to put off the hammering of the wallet until the new year.

I fitted the aero kit in two stages and have to report that the car did not feel stable until I got the front splitters on.

jmspear · Dec 4, 2004

Algray,

yes i do. The PSS9's set up to RS spec have made a night and day transformation to the handling of the car (I did have 70K on the original shocks) the next best upgrade has been a set of Michelin Sport cup tyres, another big step up in handling and braking.

If you go for RS spec on the set up I can strongly recommend the front protection bar from Carnewal (www.carnewal.com) to save your front PU from grounding and damage. Not expensive and very evry easy to fit

HTH

John

algray · Dec 6, 2004

Hi William,
I plan to fit the Bilsteins HD's in the new year Feb or Mar. 2005, I will glady post some feedback HD's, I'm just collecting my goodies for car at the moment.

Hi John,
Thanks for the advice I did also buy the Front Protection Bar(fpb) from Gert.
Are the Mich. sport cup the dual compound tyre?, I have heard mixed reviews about them, That the sport cups are very good in the dry, but not very good in the wet, Maybe you will be able to confirm this.

Iwas also looking at buying a second set of tyres for track use, but I decided wait until I've done a track day, before buying a second set. Feedback on the Mich. sport cup would be appreciated. wear rate etc.
Thanks

AlexG