strut/shock replacement

85carrera · 02-23-2006, 05:42 PM

Ive recently bought an 85 911 carrera. TRE motorsports told me the car is in good shape and the shocks/struts don't need replacing.

However, after doing the brakes last weekend, I noticed the shocks/struts are all leaking and that they definitely haven't been replaced in over 30-50K miles. When I bounce down the car it it pops right back..ie...doesn't float up and down before returning to normal ride height.

They are the green shocks (bilstein, right?).

The shocks do seem to worn....the car does tend to bank around curves at decent speeds...(60 MPH). But its hard to tell....i have no idea how an 85 911 carrera _should_ handle....

I'm wondering if I should replace the shocks or just assume they are ok from what the TRE folks said. I'd say replace because they are leaking, but what do you guys think? How tough are these bilstein shocks?

Thanks
David

Oh Haha · 02-23-2006, 05:52 PM

What, no pictures?!!!
Green shocks are Bilstein. How many miles on the car?
If TRE told me the shocks were good, I would pretty much take their word for it. They are pretty good at these type of cars.

85carrera · 02-23-2006, 05:57 PM

hahah...here's a pic. chasis has prolly 270K on it. engine maybe 60-80K.
I don't know about TRE...I specifically asked them about the tie end rods which they said were fine, but after closer inspection the boots were all torn up and definitely need replacing.

They gave me a compression test for $250 and told me the car needed a tune-up, valve adj, brakes, and everything else ok. However, the tie end rods definitely need replacing...

David

Oh Haha · 02-23-2006, 05:59 PM

Nice Targa. Is the rear wing one piece?

(This should get interesting.)

85carrera · 02-23-2006, 06:05 PM

the rear wing was looks like it was added afterwards. It looks like its bolted to the original trunk lid.
here's some pics

porschenut · 02-23-2006, 06:18 PM

Yes, that wing is not a Carrera wing. It's the tea tray style that came on SC's and turbos, although it is all painted instead of having the rubber lip. Looks aftermarket to me.

85carrera · 02-23-2006, 07:40 PM

can i put a rubber lip on it?

Oh Haha · 02-24-2006, 05:47 AM

Anything's possible but I would say no to the rubber lip. You might consider painting the "lip" part flat black to replicate the rubber. I personally like the one piece spoiler.

85carrera · 02-24-2006, 10:58 AM

So back to shocks/struts....what do you guys use for a standard for deciding when it is time to replace the shocks/struts. Unfortunately, I don't have the knowledge of "how" a 911 _should_ handle.

qlander · 02-24-2006, 11:52 AM

I don't think there is any question about it specially if you notice leakage. My own 930 turbo passed inspection well but since has needed several things replaced. Probably because it wasn't driven enough during the previous several years.

Anyway, back to shocks. The bilsteins are not that difficult to change. There are plenty of good write ups on the board and you should do a search on the subject. You'll find plenty.

Before you begin plan on buying Wayne's book and make sure you have all the right tools. The time it took me was about 6 hours the first time and only one the second time because I installed the holding pins in the front wrong.

I thought my car rode well before the change but boy, what a difference! Well Worth the money. One thing you want to buy soon if you don't have one yet is a low profile jack. It saved me a lot of hassle.

Good luck and don't be shy, I posted many questions as I encountered problems.

Q.

85carrera · 02-24-2006, 12:27 PM

what do you think of the bilstein sports over the regular bilsteins? The price difference is negligible.

David

qlander · 02-24-2006, 01:18 PM

From what I've read the more common replacement is sport rears, hd fronts. Personally I did sports all around and couldn't be happier. It's all a matter of taste. You won't go wrong either way.

Q.