Amazing result shock change !

[livi]

Just want to give some feed back on the result after front shock change. I have read several times that changing the rear shocks will make a big difference in the handling dept., whereas changing the fronts does not.

Accordingly I started with the rear ones a few months ago. Must admit I was a bit disappointed. The driving feeling improved but not dramatically.

Changed fronts yesterday (thanks for all help !) and what a spectacular transformation ! Now I understand the go-cart feeling - but even more satisfying, the former sense of vague steering is totally gone. I turn the wheel 1/4 of an inch and the car turns directly.

Further more the car feels much more stable - like a brick on the road - not least at high speed. Went up to 210 km/hr - completely rock solid.

My God, these little cars are fantastic !!

[Emission]

How many miles were on the front shocks? Sounds like they were shot.

[cbeers]

I felt the same way!

glad you got it all worked out Markus

Have you done the turbo tie rods too?
Another WOW upgrade.


-Chris

[livi]

Emission,

Both front and rear were original - 87k miles.

Just wanted to comment on the discovery that it was the front change that made all the difference - not the rear, in my case, since the experience and literature seems to point in the opposite direction.

Hoping I would be able to contribute with a little something for once - as oppose to sucking knowledge from everybody else on this formidable forum !

Turbo tie rods ? Whats that ? I guess thats next.

[KobaltBlau]

what were the originals? bilstein or boge?

[cbeers]

See here first:
Bad Turbo Tie Rods!!

GET THE GOOD ONES FROM PP.


Now, what are they? An upgraded version of what you have as stock. The big difference is in the inner end of each tie rod. They are a "ball joint" mount rather than two flanges joined with old, squishy, deformed rubber. I thought I had some great shots/ write up, but I guess not. You can pull back your boot on the inner end and see what I mean.

Another great DIY project!

-Chris

[Jeff Alton]

The valving is more critical on the lighter end of any car, as far as ride comfort is concerned......

Jeff

[livi]

Originals were Boge. New ones Bilstein standard.

Seems there is no escaping the next project - turbo tie rods. Thanks Chris.

[cbeers]

Welcome to the club!

-Chris

[safe]

There is never an escape from the next project....

[cbeers]

I KNEW I had something someplace, just had to search better

Turbo Tie Rod Installation


-Chris

[livi]

Those pictures will very likely come in handy when I get started. Thanks again Chris !

Yes, Magnus, I am beginning to fear thats true.

[Kroggers]

So, I can call on you for help and advice Markus when I do the replacement on my car My front ones were replaced just before I purchased the car last year. On the invoice it indicates that he had new boge shocks fitted on the front. Is there a big difference between the bilstein and boge?? Should I bee looking to upgrade or replace them?? To me it feels really tight, but then this is the only 911 I have really driven - before this I had a 944

[cbeers]

Mine made a HUGE difference!

Of course, my car has 170k+ on the clock


-Chris

[livi]

Yep Pål, you have come to the right place - I am the expert around here on shocks !

I wouldn´t know since I can´t compare with new Boges. Mine were 20 years old and compared to new Bilstein - well there is no comparison.

What about your rear shocks ? Also changed recently ?

Neither front or rear turned out to be technically difficult - once I figured out how it worked (thanks to these guys!), it was surprisingly simple tasks - albeit craving a bit of foul language and "fan anamma".

My novice humility does not allow me to give anyone advice on Porsche issues - but it would please me enormously if I could be of any help in the future.

[Kroggers]

If only this country we live in was not so big!!! It is a long drive down to you from Stockholm even if it is to do some good P-car bonding
The rear will probably need to be replaced at some point, but at the moment I am not feeling any problems with the handling - at 200+Km/h on the motorway in Germany she was as steady as a rock. If I can get any more go-cart feeling from my car than I have at the moment I will quickly have to give my license to the good Swedish police..............
For now, I will focus on other projects, but I am sure my shocks will be up for replacement some time soon - and you will be my first contact Shame there is not more of us Pelicans here in Sweden - I wish we could get more weekends like the Pelicans talk about in the US

At the moment I only count us three (you, me and Magnus)....

[livi]

Pål, I feel the same. But we sure exhibit an exclusive little club of fanatics. Proudly presents: Scandinavian Pelicans - members.. 3 and counting.

Chris - you still there !??

Been thinking of the tie rod project. How much less would one gain turning cheap and lazy and limit the work by just changing the tie rod end ? It´s half the price and looks much easier.

[cbeers]

Still here, just don't tell the boss

Just changing the outer tie rod end would help SOME, especially if yours are shot. However, if you look at the pics in the write up I did, you will see what the old inner end looks like. Pay close attention to the fact that it is two parts (I call them flanges) connected with a bolt running through a rubber bushing thing. Well, imagine what condition that rubber is in after 20-30 years and XXX,XXX miles. Mine were shot. When I took them out, I was amazed at how much play there was in them.

VERY worthwhile DIY upgrade........


Hope that helps some,

-Chris

[cbeers]

this one:




Note the bolt through the rubber. The rubber was old, deformed, worn etc. The bolt hole in the rubber was elongated. All of this, IMHO, translates into more sloppy steering. I know when I was done, I was VERY happy.


It's really not that hard, I and many others, would be glad to talk you through it

-Chris

[livi]

That does it. Very educational pics. I´m ordering the parts.

Thanks again, Chris.

Well, Wayne did mention 101 projects...