Leaking rear shock ..

[nfearn]

It's quite possible that the combination of M030 springs and FSD dampers doesn't work as well as the standard springs in combination with FSDs - the dampers will be optimised for a given spring rate and can't be expected to work across a wide range of springs.

I agree with what has been said about replacing all four dampers at the same time. The fronts will be well worn by now and you will need four wheel geometry doing anyway, so you may as well have the whole job done in one go and have a set of dampers that should last for another 50K miles or more, rather than doing the whole geometry process twice.

Monroe dampers in the 993 application don't have a good reputation for longevity so alternative options are likely better value, especially when the cost of proper geometry setup is factored in.

 

[Wozy]

ORIGINAL: Mark Elder

ORIGINAL: Wozy

Just had FSDs fitted with M033 springs. I'm not so sure they are the be all and end all.

Hi Warren,

What makes you say that? Who fitted them? I kept the original (non-lowered) springs and had the FSDs fitted and GEO set up by Center Gravity - it completely transformed the car - also took opportunity to replace a few worn suspension parts.

Just did the Anglesey track day and the car felt amazingly balanced even though I must have put on about 10K miles since the FSDs were fitted.

Hi Mark, sorry fo the delay in responding.

I had the lot installed by SVP at Droitwich. They did a super job which included installing new springs and dampers, new ARB bushes front and back, new drop links front and back, new top mounts all round and Geo. They really rated the cars handling after the work was completed.

To give a simplistic answer: My wife took her out for a spin and came back informing me that though it was nice and there is no banging going on underneath anymore, the 993 ride reminded her of an old fashioned pram!!!!! IE felt springy, and hardly what I expected her to say.

I must admit though I agree. It seems a lot softer than I expected, which after paying 3.5K for renewal was a little upsetting. If I was honest, the original dampers at 124K (They were Boge not Monroes) felt firmer. She does transverse our bumpy roads alot better and I'm guessing because of the arbs bits and pieces the steering feels more communitive also.
I just imagined her to be a little firmer. I can't believe a 993 was this springy when new. I've been told that springs usually dictate how soft/hard a car feels to drive and not the dampers, and the replacement springs I used were Porsche M033s, the original springs were standard height springs and like the M033s had the same spring rate. So why so soft? I even made sure the M033s I bought were for the manual version.

I wanted above all compliance, which I have got, what I didn't expect was the car (to at least feel) softer than before all was refreshed. The Boges were not leaking when removed but I assumed they were worn out, now I'm not so sure.

The positives though are, a more communitive steering, a lot better feel what the front is doing and the car feels to grip better at the rear and you can feel that.

A month in or so, I'm still not convinced I have done the right thing, maybe more time is needed. I also read somewhere that FSDs firm up the sportier you drive, personally I think that's just hype.

 

[Mike M]

Condor, for a little perspective I had a Bilstein B12 suspension kit with new rear toe links November last year and that came in at around £1980 including setting reduced ride height about 30mm IIRC and a geo set up and an interim service.

Bye the way my car had around 65k on when I had it done and its a totally different car if not a little to firm. The out going shocks had lost tension!