Menu toggle

Suspension & Brake refresh

ORIGINAL: edh The rear coilovers should be adjusted so that the helper springs are fully compressed when the car is at rest, and just start to expand as the car body starts to lift. At rest the main springs won't be compressed appreciably, but they will be held in place by the helpers and shouldn't bang.
Click to expand...
Ed, I'm just in the process of re-indexing mine after fitting a Gaz Gold kit (no helpers), and I have set it up so that, with the rear suspension unloaded, the coilovers are just extended. In other words, the coilover spring plates are just off-loose. I was then going to use the torsion bar spring plates to fine-tune the ride height between each side. Is that how yours was done?
 
ORIGINAL: 944 man
ORIGINAL: andy watson Simon - 944man Heads up - dc performance have another Spax deal on at the moment RSX118 kit £626-57 delivered, if you were still interested?
Click to expand...
Only just noticed this Andy. I refer the honourable gentlemen to my post dated February the first... [:D]
Click to expand...
Doh!! [:D] Hadn't seen that, I am not on commission promise [:D][:D]
 
ORIGINAL: andy watson Simon, yes I did find that out on a US forum, can't remember which one, but I have also read I thought in one of my books. And you are so right even trying to follow a thread on one of their forums is major hard work!!
Click to expand...
A telling point, I believe, is that you can only set the cars level be re-indexing. This is how they were originally intended to be, with the sills level. In order to meet the federal bumper height requirements they were built with the rears raised by, I think, one spline - but I cant remember whether it was an inner or an outer.
 
ORIGINAL: starboard147
ORIGINAL: edh The rear coilovers should be adjusted so that the helper springs are fully compressed when the car is at rest, and just start to expand as the car body starts to lift. At rest the main springs won't be compressed appreciably, but they will be held in place by the helpers and shouldn't bang.
Click to expand...
Ed, I'm just in the process of re-indexing mine after fitting a Gaz Gold kit (no helpers), and I have set it up so that, with the rear suspension unloaded, the coilovers are just extended. In other words, the coilover spring plates are just off-loose. I was then going to use the torsion bar spring plates to fine-tune the ride height between each side. Is that how yours was done?
Click to expand...
I just typed up a long reply then lost it to the two post rule... [:mad:] Paul I think you're doing it in the wrong order. The collective wisdom of EMC, Promax and Andy Moss (and the KW fitting guide) says that you set the ride height with the torsion bars / spring plates. Then you wind up the coilovers so that the main spring is just under compression (helper fully coil bound) when the car is on the floor. At rest the car is sitting on the torsion bars, not the coil springs. I can't see how you'd make this work without helper springs & I would have thought it was worth getting some. Maybe someone else with the gaz setup can comment?
 
Ah, so ride height on the torsion bars only, then wind up the coilovers to the point where the spring is just starting to be compressed (in my case, as no helpers on Gaz). But then surely that means that you wouldn't need to re-index, as you would have set the ride height on the T-bars, with no effect from the coilovers...?
 
ORIGINAL: starboard147 Ah, so ride height on the torsion bars only, then wind up the coilovers to the point where the spring is just starting to be compressed (in my case, as no helpers on Gaz). But then surely that means that you wouldn't need to re-index, as you would have set the ride height on the T-bars, with no effect from the coilovers...?
Click to expand...
yes - as long as you can get it low enough on the spring plates. most of the cars that need reindexing are race cars or track cars that run much lower.
 
Sorry, I'm not being clear... With the 'prescribed' method, you're not going to change ride height at all, so there would be no need to even touch the T-bar spring plates, let along re-index? Surely? Unless you are actively trying to lower... So why is the 'accepted wisdom' that, to do it 'properly', you should re-index!? I must confess to mild confusion :rolleyes:
 
well that's how it is..... bear in mind that 1. when you take weight out the car rides even higher 2. most people want lower than stock 3. I suspect that stiifer shocks will also increase ride height. (my car is much lower with shocks removed) that's why many will need to reindex.
 
Ah, your last point makes sense... If the car rides lower with the shocks removed, they are affecting the ride height. Perhaps the helper springs are enough to raise the ride height slightly. If that's the case, then the Gaz equivalent would be for mild pre-load on the coilover with the car static...
 
ORIGINAL: andy watson From Clarke's garage this may help?
Click to expand...
Got that, thanks Andy. That's what I followed, it's not that bad a job, just nuts and bolts, and having plenty of space and some height helps. It's the setting up of the coilovers that's not well covered...
 
I have EMC spec'd, supplied and fitted 944 GAZ Golds on my 924 turbo. The rear ride height is set by the torsion bars. The car sits on the torsion bars only at rest. As the car begins its suspension travel the lower spring perches rise to meet the helper spring and 'assists' the torsion bar through its travel. The helper spring is securely attached to the top perch with lock wire. When jacked the lower perch falls away from the spring slightly. not the clearest of pics
5287290827_b72dbdd2f1_b.jpg
 
ORIGINAL: starboard147 Ah, your last point makes sense... If the car rides lower with the shocks removed, they are affecting the ride height. Perhaps the helper springs are enough to raise the ride height slightly. If that's the case, then the Gaz equivalent would be for mild pre-load on the coilover with the car static...
Click to expand...
I don't think it's the helpers, I think its the damper thats having the effect. the helpers have a very low rate.
 
Battery tight, spare wheel, tools and top up oil removed...gave her a good test run yesterday. The front end feels incredible, tight, turn in is excelant and so responsive now, the rear feels firm but skittish and not very confidence inspiring at the minute, I assume this is due to the higher ride height than the front? Also the banging is still present and somewhat nerve racking, having got underneath again after everything has settled after the run I found that whilst the helper springs are compressed the main springs are not under any tension, I can compress them very slightly between my fingers and I can move the spring side to side, very very slightly and the top cups move also. I assume this is what is causing the banging? If I wind up so that the springs are under compression, how much should I do so, as you may have guessed Spax do not supply any instructions other than for how to adjust the dampening!
 
sounds like the problem - noise probably much worse in the cabin than outside. the helpers should be fully compressed ( coil bound) at rest. That should give you enough to keep the main springs in check.
 
Thanks Ed, What is the effect on closing the main spring, say if I over did it? What do you think is the cause of the rear feelling skittish at the moment?
 
The first thing I guess would be that the rear would sit even higher. Are you saying the helper is fully compressed at rest already? I would have thought a big difference in ride height F-R is having an effect on the behaviour of the rear. I don't know what the overall spring rates are and how they have changed from standard. You might like to find out and we can see the new effective spring rates for your new spring / torsion bar combo. Just one thought - did you set the spring plates to the lowest or highest setting? i.e. to lower, the rear arm goes up relative to the torsion bar assembly. I know that sounds obvious but just thought I'd ask..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Posts made and opinions expressed are those of the individual forum members

Use of the Forum is subject to the Terms and Conditions

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed on this site are not necessarily those of the Club, who shall have no liability in respect of them or the accuracy of the content. The Club assumes no responsibility for any effects arising from errors or omissions.

Porsche Club Great Britain gives no warranties, guarantees or assurances and makes no representations or recommendations regarding any goods or services advertised on this site. It is the responsibility of visitors to satisfy themselves that goods and/or services supplied by any advertiser are bona fide and in no instance can the Porsche Club Great Britain be held responsible.

When responding to advertisements please ensure that you satisfy yourself of any applicable call charges on numbers not prefixed by usual "landline" STD Codes. Information can be obtained from the operator or the white pages. Before giving out ANY information regarding cars, or any other items for sale, please satisfy yourself that any potential purchaser is bona fide.

Directors of the Board of Porsche Club GB, Club Office Staff, Register Secretaries and Regional Organisers are often requested by Club members to provide information on matters connected with their cars and other matters referred to in the Club Rules. Such information, advice and assistance provided by such persons is given in good faith and is based on the personal experience and knowledge of the individual concerned.

Neither Porsche Club GB, nor any of the aforementioned, shall be under any liability in respect of any such information, advice or assistance given to members. Members are advised to consult qualified specialists for information, advice and assistance on matters connected with their cars at all times.

Porsche
Lockton
Pirelli
Officially approved
Oracle Finance
WEX Esso
Collecting Cars
Archant Dialogue
Back
Top