M474 damper adjustment

[nfearn]

Well, my new M474 setup has arrived and I've been looking it over as I have a day off today.

Unfortunately, I believe one of the rear dampers is defective, since it doesn't seem to make any difference whether it's adjusted to hard or soft - it just stays soft, or at least *much* softer than the other one. The "other" one is noticeably firmer on hard than on soft as it should be.

Also, the front dampers say "Adjustable" on the body of the unit. But how? Anyone any ideas?

regards
Nick

 

[richthomas]

The fronts should adjust just like the rears, compress the piston fully to engage the cam at the bottom, then turn to adjust either way. Mine were very firm and difficult to compress at all so I just installed them as they were and am very pleased with the ride, firm but compliant too. You could try turning them upside down then compress the piston into the floor (easier than trying to push a 15mm solid piston with your palm[:-]) but again actual adjustment could be difficult. I guess they are not really designed for a lot of tweeking like the top adjustable ones are.

It does sound like there is something wrong with one of your rears, unless you aren't engaging the cam at the bottom, then no matter how much you turn it, it won't make any difference. Make sure you remove the bump stop first, then compress the shock until it stops. slowly turn it until you feel the cam engage, then if it still doesn't adjust I would get on to where you got it from for advice. If it was Adrian at OPC Exeter I'm sure he would be understanding[]

Rich

 

[nfearn]

OK, that's interesting re the fronts. I must admit I hadn't tried that, though someone on the Titanic forum did suggest it.

The cam is definitely engaging OK on the duff rear one. I pretty sure it's defective in one way or another.

It was Adrian O at Carrs, so hopefully no probs getting it replaced.

Nick

 

[Diver944]

Nice to see you on here Nick, and I'm looking forward to your thoughts on the M474 after it is fitted.

I think Rich will be right about how difficult it is to compress the fronts. I replaced mine with standard Boge and I just could not depress them all the way in. In comparison the old ones would slide in and out at will []

 

[richthomas]

My old ones slumped into the housing on their own after removing the springs[] Shows how bad they can get. Good luck with getting the duff rear one replaced, I'm sure Adrian will be fine, it's just the hassle of sending it back and waiting for another one[]

 

[nfearn]

Adrian was, as ever. fine about the replacement.

Apparently the technician's words were something like this...

"Ermm, yes - they often need to be pumped up and down a bit to make sure the oil is in the right end. I'll just try - oh - this one's knackered..."

Should have the new unit by the end of the week. Fitting takes place on Thursday the week following so hopefully I'll be able to give initial impressions at Brands [8D]

Nick

 

[richthomas]

If your old ones are originals like mine were you should be suitably impressed. It transformed my car so much, it'll feel like new!

Rich

 

[nfearn]

Well, it's a month or so later and I still haven't got a superbly-damped '44.

Reason - the second set of dampers also turned out to be defective, and the third too. I have now had to resort to sending the third set directly to Porsche at Reading and am currently awaiting their opinion.

In the meantime, I can let you know the opinion of the chap who was going to fit them (Mark Fish in Harlow).

Me: "What do you reckon to the rears?"

Mark: "Chalk and cheese - there's no way I'm fitting these to your car"

The saga continues....

Nick

 

[richthomas]

Sorry to hear about all the problems with the rears so far, sounds like they got a bad batch in from koni. Not sure how this would happen though as they go on about how every shock is tested before being released[]

Maybe you should have gone for m030 rears after all []

Rich

 

[nfearn]

May be I should have done [&o]

Still, hopefully I'll get some good news this week from Porsche - eg they're going to get me some working dampers.

Nick

 

[John Sims]

they're going to get me some working dampers.

Unlikely, as dampers have oil seals in them as well.

 

[nfearn]

..not in one of the first pair I had. There would have been more resistance if it had been filled with whipped cream.

Allegedly, I should be hearing from Porsche tomorrow...

 

[steve 944t]

I just got round to fitting a new pair of M030 rears to mine, which have been sitting in a cupboard for about 3 months. I initially thought mine werent right as they rebounded at a slightly different rate when on full soft or full hard setting. I set them to one turn back from full stiff and they are fine - equal rebound. Did make me wonder though - how are you supposed to tell if they are right? I will just have to trust Porsche I guess [8|]
They are certainly an improvement over the old set though, even with only 100 miles on them so far.
I hope you get yours sorted soon.
Oh, and those bottom mounts are unbelievably tight! []

 

[nfearn]

Porsche ust rang to say that they agree that one of the rear dampers is definitely defective. A new one is on its way from Germany and should be with them on Monday. Fingers crossed....

Regarding testing them, you can't really tell that they are right by hand, but if they're so different that you can feel it then they're definitely wrong. If you can't feel any difference in the car between right and left hand bends then you should be OK.

 

[nfearn]

Finally, finally, I have a full set of 474 dampers fitted to the car, and what an improvement.

They are soft enough to allow the suspension to follow the typically bumpy B roads we suffer in Essex, but provide excellent body control even at relatively high speeds. There's also a very marked reduction in pitch under braking and acceleration. All in all a very worthwhile upgrade.

Notwihstanding that, it did take over a month for Porsche to get me two rear dampers that worked and were the same stiffness in compression and rebound.

In the end, Porsche Cars GB had the entire Porsche Germany stock of rear 474s in the UK in order to find two that were in spec. Words are apparently being had with Koni....

Nick

 

[944Turbo]

Glad they managed to sort it in the end and it works.
Tony

 

[richthomas]

Yay!!

Glad to hear you finally got some that work, I thought you would be pleased with the result[]

Bit worrying about the quality control issue though, having to ship the whole stock over mustn't have been fun, I bet they have to send them all back now too!

Rich

 

[944Turbo]

They only had 6 [][][][][]


1 now.

possibly []

Tony

 

[Fen]

So is now a good time to phone Adrian and ask for a set of M474 rears? []