What shocks do I have?

[kamaro]

I'm in a process of installing new front A arms with new seals and balljoints, so I thought of replacing the shocks while I am at it, the problem is I read about many different shocks/struts used in our cars, I read some where here that the green housing means that I have Belstein shocks and would only be replaced by the same brand, is that true? and is it applicable in my case? , I found a cheap KYB shocks in ebay and I thought of ordering them (my car is street driven, never sees the track) :

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Front-Porsche-911-912-914-Suspension-Strut-Cartridge-361004-KYB-Excel-G/190688094330

Here is a pic of the shock in the car now :

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by kamaro

I'm in a process of installing new front A arms with new seals and balljoints, so I thought of replacing the shocks while I am at it, the problem is I read about many different shocks/struts used in our cars, I read some where here that the green housing means that I have Belstein shocks and would only be replaced by the same brand, is that true? and is it applicable in my case? , I found a cheap KYB shocks in ebay and I thought of ordering them (my car is street driven, never sees the track) :

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Front-Porsche-911-912-914-Suspension-Strut-Cartridge-361004-KYB-Excel-G/190688094330

Here is a pic of the shock in the car now :

That's a Bilstein shock/strut

[Flojo]

Yep, the good ones :-)

[franklinstower]

Originally Posted by kamaro

I found a cheap KYB shock in ebay:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Front-Porsche-911-912-914-Suspension-Strut-Cartridge-361004-KYB-Excel-G/190688094330

KYB stands for Keep Your Bilstein.
Every kyb shock/strut i have used sucked. Either too stiff with no dampening, or way to soft....

[nickelplated5s]

Stick with the Bil's. I bought KYB's once and never again.

[HarryD]

I have been told that Bilstein will rebuild your shocks/struts for a fraction of the new cost. I would consider going this route.

[KTL]

You also need to look closely at your struts to ensure the support bushings are not worn. Worn bushings will show up as a clunk because the damper body is allowed to rock inside the strut. Also causing a knock can be the roll pin is loose down at the bottom.

73T - Bilstein Strut Rebuild

Take a look at your damper body (the shiny tube) once you get the green top can off. If the body shows a lot of discoloration or scratching, the bushings are toast.

[kamaro]

Originally Posted by KTL

You also need to look closely at your struts to ensure the support bushings are not worn. Worn bushings will show up as a clunk because the damper body is allowed to rock inside the strut. Also causing a knock can be the roll pin is loose down at the bottom.

73T - Bilstein Strut Rebuild

Take a look at your damper body (the shiny tube) once you get the green top can off. If the body shows a lot of discoloration or scratching, the bushings are toast.

Is this is the correct shock for my application :

https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/34001127.htm?pn=34-001127-M512&SVSVSI=911M

Are you talking about the bushing inside the upper shock mount?

[Ayles]

If plan to replace the inserts get this tool and thank me later

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008M22GJ6/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[chrisbruck]

Please don't use the KYB's. They are awful and you won't be happy.

[KTL]

Originally Posted by kamaro

Is this is the correct shock for my application :

https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/34001127.htm?pn=34-001127-M512&SVSVSI=911M

Are you talking about the bushing inside the upper shock mount?

Nope that type of insert you linked is to install Bilstein damper cartridges into non-Bilstein struts like Boge/Sachs or Koni

Not sure what year your 911 is, but you want inserts like these

https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/34050019.htm?pn=34-050019-M512&SVSVSI=810

See how the damper body is all silver and it has a long thin shaft? That thin shaft is pinned to the bottom of the strut with a roll pin. You can see the hole for the pin near the bottom of the strut, just above the ball joint wedge pin location.

And no, i'm not talking about the rubber bushings in the upper strut mount. I'm talking about the bushings inside the body of the strut. These are what guides the damper as it moves up & down within the strut body.

This picture is from the link I previously posted. You can see the bushings are copper colored inside the strut.

[Sboxin]

Originally Posted by kamaro

Is this is the correct shock for my application :

https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Info/34001127.htm?pn=34-001127-M512&SVSVSI=911M

Are you talking about the bushing inside the upper shock mount?

Not that bushing - - there are bushings inside the strut you can not see until you remove the shock insert - -


You might want to talk to the folks at Elephant about rebuiliding your front and rear shocks - and ask about the bushings. We sent our struts to Cgarr for bushing replacement. And Elephant rebuilt our shocks and tuned them to match a coil over spring conversion - good people to work with . . . We have also had good service from Rebel and Tarett . . . and of course parts from Pelican . . .


It helps on this forum to provide as much information about your car as possible - year, model, miles, previous work, etc. . . .


Wish you the best on your project,
Regards,

[kamaro]

Thanks guys for the all the info. I came from a muscle car environment which is totally different and that makes me a little confused because I always want to compare to what I usually see in the back of my mind.

Unfortunately I cant send my struts/shocks for a rebuild simply because I'm not in US.

My car is a 1977 911S with stock everything, it has 148000 miles on the odometer. Its an honest and unmolested car, previously owned by a lady since new.

[hotaru]

kamaro,
check your local country Bilstein distributor - they should offer rebuilding, or they can send it out :
)