STRUT pains

EarlyPorsche · 09-11-2006, 04:46 PM

Well my 67 911 sure makes terrible noises from the front. Strut is loose. Whats my best bet for street driving, Koni? Anything else I should change while I'm in there.

Jim Smolka · 09-11-2006, 04:49 PM

Could be those old rubber bushings are shot as well

EarlyPorsche · 09-11-2006, 05:08 PM

Well you can grab the strut and shake it and it gives. So I definetly must replace them. Now any problems with ordering some KYB's? I found these at advanced auto parts for under $50 each. http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductDetail.aspx?mfrcode=KYB&mfrpartnumber=361004&parttype=49&ptset=A

The only problem is that they fit a ton of Porsches but if I understand correctly they should only fit 65-68. Any ideas?

randywebb · 09-11-2006, 05:14 PM

Avoid KYB's -- get something decent for your car.

Bilstein

if not that then Koni

Jim Smolka · 09-11-2006, 05:15 PM

2nd what Randy says. Bilsteins or Koni's

EarlyPorsche · 09-11-2006, 05:19 PM

Thanks guys, KYB is bad even if I'm just cruising? My 997 is for raping the streets, is KYB just junk or bad for track driving?

HarryD · 09-11-2006, 05:57 PM

KYB === Kill Yer Back

randywebb · 09-11-2006, 06:03 PM

Thanks guys, KYB is bad even if I'm just cruising?

- yes.

Don't do it to your car. You will be forced into exile on some ugly island with nothing but sand to eat and giant reptiles to hunt you down and end your misery.

LakeCleElum · 09-11-2006, 06:51 PM

A friend of mine recently bought a '72 Targa that has new KYB's....I'd kinda like riding in a boat.....Or an old Buick....Kinda floats a lot.....I had just put new bilsteins in my '73.5.....Big difference....

EarlyPorsche · 09-11-2006, 07:02 PM

Bilsteins from our host it is.

LeeH · 09-11-2006, 07:14 PM

The '72 I just bought has KYBs that are a couple of years old, but few miles. It's the smoothest riding 911 I've owned, yet the car still handles very well. I'm surprised at all the negative comments I've read about them.

When I was first driving the car I noticed that it wasn't as harsh over expansion joints, manhole covers, etc as my previous cars. But, when I went through some sweepers in the mountains, the handling was great. I'm curious... are those of you making negative comments speaking from direct experience or just repeating what you've read elsewhere?

HarryD · 09-11-2006, 07:20 PM

Lee,

When I bought my car it had KYB rears and dead Boges in the front.
The handing was nothing to write home about and the rear was very stiff. After I replaced the rear springplate bushes and installed Bilsteins (HD front/sport rear), the handling and ride comfort was greatly increased. Was it all due to replacing the KYBs, of course not, but the very stiff KYB did not add anything to the quality of my ride.

If anyone wants my old KYB's, they are yours for a nominal shipping and handling fee. Free if you pick them up at my house.

LeeH · 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by HarryD
but the very stiff KYB did not add anything to the quality of my ride.

That's really interesting - mine feels anything but too stiff. DonDavis took my car out for an extended test drive yesterday. When he came back he said the car felt like it had a "modern" suspension setup. Maybe I just got a good set.

EarlyPorsche · 09-11-2006, 07:33 PM

Oh boy, what to do now. Well first thing is to make sure I need Boge replacements which I do as I have a 912 converted to 911 and I doubt any 912's had Koni front option. The way I see it, if I get the KYB's I might be doing the job twice according to some. So far 50% like what they have but 50% hate it. I want to support this site but if I can get both struts for less than $90 and they work then I am ahead a ton of cash. They also have lifetime warrenties. Any idea if the rough riding KYB's could be due to something else? My passenger side strut is gone, if you grab the wheel and jiggle it you can hear and see the strut move. I understand a strut is holding camber, so thats what scares me about KYB.

HarryD · 07:42 PM

Your money/your choice.

Looking at the Pelican Parts catalog, it looks like your choices are KYB or Bilstein. The Boges are NLA.

The KYB will probably be a major improvement over what you have now.

If you start looking for better performance (I AutoX regularly), I think you will find the KYB wanting. This is for two reasons, first has to do with the way they damp my ride and second, they are not really ok in a lowered car due to the length of the shaft. One of the advantages of the Bilstein Sport is the shorter shaft with full shock travel.

If I had limited my driving to street cruising only, I may not have replaced the KYB rears and possibly tried the KYB front (unless I just put a Boge back in) with the thought that if I really hated them, I would change them out after a few years.

Zeke · 09-11-2006, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LeeH
That's really interesting - mine feel anything, but too stiff. DonDavis took my car out for an extended test drive yesterday. When he came back he said the car felt like it had a "modern" suspension setup. Maybe I just got a good set.

What bars in the car? Makes a lot of difference. My understanding if that KYB is built for a little more performance. I could be wrong. Most of my KYB info stems from the old 914 days. But, it the shock is set up for bigger bars, then bigger bars will tame them and things will be nice and smooth. Firm, but nice and smooth. Put an HD shock of any manufacture on a stock set of bars and the shocks have too much force over the bars and won't let them work as they should. It's all in the balance. It's no wonder a lot of people don't get exactly what they are looking for. There aren't that many knowledgable people on the subject as far as 911's go. I'd say there are a lot more here than you will encounter on the other end of the order desk phone at Tire Rack, or Shocksdotcom. (Just examples, guys, don't get defensive.)

EarlyP, you could have something else going on in there. Have you pulled the dust cover and checked the gland nut that holds the shock in the strut?

EarlyPorsche · 09-11-2006, 08:19 PM

No I haven't. Could you explain what the glad nut is and what I would be doing to look for that being the problem? Let me tell you it makes major "dunks" over bumps.

randywebb · 09-11-2006, 09:01 PM

gland nut = big nut at the top

BTW, how old are the rubber bushings in your suspension?? I may have some bad news for you...

For that matter, are the rubber brake hoses less than 7 years old? That's a safety issue.

I hate to pile this on you right now, but good shocks are not the major expense when you buy an old car...

HarryD · 09-11-2006, 09:05 PM

EarlyPorsche,

Our buddy Milt is on to something (maybe). Your strut insert is held in place by a large gland nut at the top of the strut housing. To get to it, jack up your car and remove the wheel. Separately support the front of your car and the base of your strut housing. Loosen the nut at the top of your strut (it is inside your trunk). Lower the strut housing and swing it out of the wheel well (be careful not to stretch or damage the brake line). Lift off the dust cover on top and you will see a large gland nut. It should be very tight. If it is loose, this may be your "clunk" and all you need to do is tighten it up.

This thread has some pictures of the strut housing after it is swung out from the car : Bilstein Strut Install This thread has some more details: Replacing front shocks

Note that this person disconnected the brake line to allow more movement of the strut housing.

LeeH · 09-11-2006, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by milt
What bars in the car?

Good question. Boy, that's one of the few parts I don't think I have record of being replaced on this car.