Suspension & Brake refresh

[andy watson]

Simon, confused dot com! I had dismissed the RSX 104 from the start as the rear is not lowered only the front, to be honest I wanted the RSX118 from the outset but at £800 odd I couldn't justify it, I want to do my brake refurb as well, if you look at the PSX kit on Venom and other sites you will see where my confusion on what I thought I was getting by the picture. I was told today that the generic picture shown is in fact what you get, full strut replacement, depending on vehicle, just not 944 obviously. With the Spax promotion that is on and RSX for £566 well a no brainier really? The only thing that I need to clear up is the 18mm bracket spacing, I have requested fitting instructions from Spax before I go ahead and order, once bitten and all that.

 

[willber]

Watching this with interest as would like to know fitting info and your thoughts on how it drives once sorted [8|]

 

[944Scott]

Im sure Spax said I would probably need to re index the rear before fitting coilover units to the rear (if i was going to upgrade to them)

 

[andy watson]

Finally got round to getting the lights up and working in the garage on Saturday so yesterday saw the start of the work after a trip to Halfrauds for a pair of axle stands. Removed both front struts - finally, by the state of them and how difficult they were to remove I think they have been on there since 1987. Will order spring compressors today and then will see if they are the de- mountable type. Fingers crossed!

 

[os951]

ORIGINAL: Catamax944

ORIGINAL: Eldavo The 87 struts are rebuildable, just not as simply; there's a guide on Paragon's website as you need to do this to fit the Koni inserts. It involves drilling a hole in the bottom of the strut to let the oil out and allow you to bolt the new insert in and cutting the strut down a set amount too.

Yeah but only the konis because they mount with that bottom bolt but all other inserts dont have that. That is a feature koni offers up , it doesn't mean they are rebuildable . I can think of 2 other mods right off the bat to mount them in the late struts but it's not a bolt on job .

the 87 struts are sealed ,not rebuildable like the early ones , you might have a problem fitting those inserts.

Late struts can be easily modified to accept for example Bilstein inserts, which imho are far better than Koni.

 

[944Turbo]

is the threaded section welded on? Are they readily available? Tony

 

[os951]

Yes it is TIG welded by a professional welder. This is a threaded collar, about 7cm long, so it support Bilstein insert very well. Actually Bilstein is most likley the only strut which can be used. For example Sachs is too thick. Collar can be made for other inserts as well, if needed. Original 82-85 strut which allows insert change is designed a bit different way. Inside diameter is so wide, that you can use several different brand inserts. For example Sachs inserts are small to original 82-85 strut. Because of that Sachs uses a small plastic collar (height is about 5mm) to support insert to strut. I am sure this modified strut is safe to use, since threaded collar and welding have been done by proffessionals. In first batch i had several sets. One for me and two sets to friends (one to UK), but more can be fabricated. I can offer these on exchange basis or you can send your own to be modified. Modified struts are later powder coated. Any color from RAL-charts can be chosen.

 

[Ex Skyline]

Andy, why not just bin all that crap and sort yourself out a set of KW V3's? [8D]. You know it makes sense [].

 

[andy watson]

Pete, good question...There are a few reasons, The cost of the KW's is not something I can justify for a weekend toy, The suspension is original, so anything I put on will be an improvement I don't want the car to be too hard and crashy, hence why I have taken my. 18" wheels off The Spax kit will give me several damper settings and lower by 30mm - perfect for what I want For the cost of the KW's I can get the suspension changed, brakes refurbished and have change! I am also hoping to purchase a track day car next year

 

[944 man]

The KW dampers avoid being crashy by employing a bypass valve. Cunning but not unique and not the second coming as some would have you believe.

 

[Copperman05]

ORIGINAL: 944 man not the second coming as some would have you believe.

There not? I feel had....[] Edd (edited to add that I think they actually are the second coming and anyone who thinks otherwise suffers coilover envy!)

 

[944 man]

Oh dear, I have more bad news too: Promax simply import Lindsey Racing stuff and double the price! []

 

[Copperman05]

Better make sure I fly over and buy direct next time then...[] Edd

 

[os951]

ORIGINAL: andy watson Here is what I have got.....

I restored last summer 931 struts with these same inserts & springs, looked a quality product. I also installed them to modified late model struts. I had a custom made threaded collar made for them (similar style i have had for Bilsteins, check picture)

 

[andy watson]

Thanks Oli, good to know you think they are good quality, the thing I am struggling with is how this kit can be sold as an exchange unit when in fact it appears modification is required to the original strut to install them and I don't belive this should be the case. Anyway here they are and in bit of a state!!

So do these need cutting off to remove damper or do they unscrew?

If they need cutting how do I go about fitting the new ones not having access to your type of facilities? Any help much appreciated

 

[944 man]

What have you decided to do Andy? I was under the impression that the dampers were going back and that you were going to buy the 118 kit? Im waiting for you to fit them as Im thinking about buying a set myself. I dont want to miss the Spax promotion, although Id be surprised if they were short sighted enough to end it just before Christmas (with coilovers being on relatively few Christmas lists). Simon

 

[944 man]

ORIGINAL: os951 I restored last summer 931 struts with these same inserts & springs, looked a quality product. I also installed them to modified late model struts. I had a custom made threaded collar made for them (similar style i have had for Bilsteins, check picture)

Olli, Spax list these dampers as being suitable for series two cars, but not Turbo and S2 models. Is this simply because the OEM front struts on these models are not particularly suitable for rebuilding with these inserts? If this is the case, then would it be possible to build them into 1987/1988 160PS 8v car struts, and fit these onto a Turbo or S2, in your opinion? Simon

 

[andy watson]

Hi Simon, As Pete said above - bin that crap!!! Having put the post up for Oli's advice and thought about it over lunch, I have just emailed Spax and requested that the handling charge is waived and rang Venom Motorsport to say that I am sending the kit back. The general tone of my email to Spax is that the kit has been mis-represented on all the dealers web sites and the kit is not sold fit for purpose, there is no mention anywhere of the need to make modifications to the original struts, and as I have said before the illustration's lead you to believe that you are purchasing complete struts. I spoke with Bert earlier today and he also thought that kit consisted of complete struts. I will now have to wait untill the New Year to decide if I am going with the RSX or another manufacturer, it will depend on the reply I get from Spax and if Venom can come up with an alternative which I have requested. Failing that it will be back to stock.

 

[944 man]

I too have noticed that virtually every firm uses a massively flawed and incomplete fitment list along with generic photographs, making an informed choice very difficult. Finding out technical information sufficient to make an informed decision is difficult too.

 

[os951]

Simon, it does not make any difference if your car is a 1987 or never series two car, a 944, S2 or Turbo. All of these uses sealed type strut. If you want to use Spax insert, your strut needs to be modified as i have done. In my picture strut is from a 968, which use similar strut as S2. 968/S2 style strut uses small diameter spring. 1982-86 strut cannot be use directly on later cars because spindle attachment hole distance is different compared to later one. You can use modified 944 struts directly under 951 and also under S2, but you must use 951 springs, S2 springs won't fit.

So do these need cutting off to remove damper or do they unscrew?

Little bit difficult to tell from that angle. Check out the cap. If it is similar to the one seen in the picture, you can open it. If not, then cutting is required.There must be notches for spanner.

Suitable spanner