68 911 no shock travel help

stubble88 · 11-10-2020, 12:50 PM

I’ve talked to Ira from Terrett and Steve from Johnson’s alignment. Has anyone with an SWB with SC front suspension experience this? This is supposed to work. But it appears the strut is just way too long. I don’t believe I’m even that low. I’ve got to be doing something wrong. Any help would be great.

Jonny042 · Jonny042's Garage

You are riding on the bumpstops like every other too-low 911. Which is most of them. (Edit - most cars are heavier than yours so they compress the bumpstops more).

The remedy to the situation is to raise the spindles, cut 1/3 of the bumpstop off (it is internal to the strut assembly) and it's probably wise to install shortened seal holders.

The problem is probably accentuated by the low profile tires, or fenders that may or may not have the correct wheel opening shape, etc.

Ride height is most properly measured by comparing the centre of the wheel hub elevation the the center of the torsion bar. You'll be surprised how much higher stock height is.

stubble88 · 11-10-2020, 01:54 PM

Tires are 225/50/15 and 205/50/15 front. It’s the only size I can get with a sticky tire (r888R)
I don’t think I was too low. But I’m just trying to get things setup for painting. Need the rears where I want them to add the R flares. Looks like my only option to to modify the struts.

Jonny042 · Jonny042's Garage

I feel your pain when it comes to 15" tire sizes, but a 205/50-15 is something like 23.1" in diameter. So more than 2" shorter than the "right" tire. Here's a pic showing a 205/50-15 on the rear of a car:

So, you are going to get it to look good, or work good, but not both. To add to the difficulty, you can only raise the spindles 17mm or so with the 15" wheels. However, if you take the steps to raise the spindles, cut the bump rubbers, and raise the ride height a bit, it can be done.

stubble88 · 11-10-2020, 03:12 PM

What does it cost to raise the spindles? Who in SoCal does it?
Thanks

Jonny042 · Jonny042's Garage

Elephant racing is your best bet. You have bilsteins so that's a good start, they are easier to raise than boges or konis.

$350 for just the spindles but it's easy to get carried away......

stubble88 · 11-10-2020, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonny042

Elephant racing is your best bet. You have bilsteins so that's a good start, they are easier to raise than boges or konis.

$350 for just the spindles but it's easy to get carried away......

That’s not bad at all. Also considering the RSR struts from Terrett. Plus Ira is an amazing human being and has been very helpful.

stubble88 · 11-12-2020, 02:28 PM

Well elephant wants $400 plus I’ll have to ship.
Johnson’s alignment wants $500! For 17mm of rise. And I’ll more than likely still need more travel.

Solamar · 11-12-2020, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stubble88

That’s not bad at all. Also considering the RSR struts from Terrett. Plus Ira is an amazing human being and has been very helpful.

I was going to say Tarrett is in Poway, CA right near Bilstein and they could surely get it done for you. But I see their address is now Henderson, NV, probably got fed up with CA.

Still worth a call to Tarrett though.

stubble88 · 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solamar

I was going to say Tarrett is in Poway, CA right near Bilstein and they could surely get it done for you. But I see their address is now Henderson, NV, probably got fed up with CA.

Still worth a call to Tarrett though.

Yeah. Ira has been helping me out. Those front RSR coilovers are appealing. But more $$$$. He mentioned raising the spindles but didn’t mention that he did that.
Haha. Poway is where I bought my 68. Now it’s in El Cajon for paint and body. Be nice if Terrett was still there.
Thanks.