Rear suspension

[jmelhuish]

I had the same feeling when I brought mine. I've put is 2.5 bar all round and the ride is much better for the local and London roads.

 

[sawood12]

By modern standards I would not say any 944 standard suspension is particularly stiff - even M030. Potholes will cause the car to crash about a bit though - the suspension doesn't really get time to work when you hit a pothole. You should be able to push/bounce down on the rear and compress the suspension.

 

[ukmastiff]

My guess is simply that your shocks are knackered.
Nice short answer by my standards []

Mas

 

[Super_Marv]

ORIGINAL: ukmastiff

My guess is simply that your shocks are knackered.
Nice short answer by my standards []

Mas

I agree. I think knackered dampers are reluctant to rebound and you'll be relying on the spring to provide the damping (the torsion bar in this case) which will be causing your crashy ride.

 

[bmnelsc]

I have a 1991 S2 with 50k miles. The ride is quite good although pot holes and rail crossings can be harsh. It seems more noise rather than a real jounce on rougher roads - the suspension seems to be doing its job but lots of tire thump to go along with it. The service specialists have not identified any issues with the suspension and based on previous experience, I'm sure they wouldn't miss an opportunity for more business []

I'm running Bridgestone RE050A Pole Positions on Design 90 wheels at Porsche recommended 36 psi front and rear. Much higher pressures have been quoted in this post - where are those coming from? - tire manufacturers?

 

[Diver944]

ORIGINAL: bmnelsc

.  Much higher pressures have been quoted in this post - where are those coming from? - tire manufacturers?

The Owners Manual before 1990 quotes 36psi front and rear. From 1990 onwards it quotes 36 front and 44 rear (very few people stick with the 44psi for long as it wears out the centre of the tyre, reduces grip and ruins the whole ride.

 

[Hilux]

ORIGINAL: Diver944

ORIGINAL: bmnelsc

.  Much higher pressures have been quoted in this post - where are those coming from? - tire manufacturers?

The Owners Manual before 1990 quotes 36psi front and rear. From 1990 onwards it quotes 36 front and 44 rear (very few people stick with the 44psi for long as it wears out the centre of the tyre, reduces grip and ruins the whole ride.

33 all around suited my old 944T

44 is stupidly high (dangerous in my view)

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Much higher pressures have been quoted in this post - where are those coming from? - tire manufacturers?

I suspect that there was a need to increase the recommended tyre pressures to compensate for the risk of underinflated tyres overheating at very high sustained speeds on the Autobahn. Whether there was an actual problem, or a perceived one, I can't see any other reason for such a huge increase for the same tyres over one model year. I'd certainly not go to more than 36 on the rears, I run mine at 34.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

My new 944 S2 feels very very hard at the rear. Almost like there is no suspension at all and the pot holes on the London roads are just murder. As I don't have anything to compare this too, does it sound normal. Do these cars have a very stiff suspension? I am not sure if it is affecting handling but sometimes the back just doesn't 'feel quite right'

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Hi Mike,

Interesting question, as I sat in the back during the test drive. Or rather, folded myself in half and held on for dear life! [][]

The owner did give the car a really good demonstration, involving putting the car through full accelleration, cornering and particularly braking to show how good it was. I was impressed at how well it was handling, far "tighter" than mine, which I've been told needs new front shocks at least.

If the tyre pressures don't help, and I suspect it's probably the problem, then perhaps my extra weight in the back was hiding worn rears? [&o]

 

[lookingfora944]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the responses everyone. I followed the advice and reduced the rear and front tyre pressure to 36 and the back feels far nicer now.

I took the car in for it's first service since I got it today and I was very pleased by what the mechanic said. As Paul knows, I bought the car pretty much on impulse as it was the first one I had seen. It seemed really nice and I paid the guy just under 3K.
for it. There were a few problems that I sorted out myself like several lights not working, fuses blowing, the dash not lighting up, brokedn wiper linkage etc. Simple electrical stuff that I was pleased to get my hands dirty with. When I bought it I knew it would require a service and at least one new front tyre etc.

The mechanic at Jaz, Wembley rang me and his words were "Youv'e got yourself a really nice car there, there's nothing really wrong with it and overall it's in very good condition" I was obvioulsy pleased to hear this.
He said that I needed two new front tyres, the balancing sorted as it was pulling badly to the left, a couple of belts and bits and pieces. He also recommended that I change the front shocks if I can afford because they are the original ones on there and they will probably only get past one more MOT, he said the rear ones were completely fine. I figured, what the hell, I had set aside £4k for the car so I was happy to spend just over another £1k on it. Now it feels fantastic, it's like a completely different car and I am glad I had it done. So hopefully, for £4K I have got myself a car that with a bit of love and attention an last me a good few years. I will put up some pics when I get round to taking some

Cheers

 

[Northern924]

Sounds like someone is very happy with his car, thats great news!! and glad to hear everything is now sorted.

Always interesting to hear people views on tyre pressure, inside the fuel cap on the 2.5 it says 2.0bar(29psi) for the front 2.5bar(36psi) for the rears. And as someone mentioned the book lists Cups as 36 front & 44 rear!!

Personally I'm at 32 front 36 rear, just because most weekends mine has guitars, amps and speakers in []