My suspension, what is this?

Paul Ferradas · 12-03-2006, 02:04 PM

I'm taking a look at my suspension after my PPI noted that I had two different shocks/struts in the front. The left one is a Bilstien. I can't figure out what the one pictured below is. I also noticed the tie wraps holding the break lines, geez, what a get up.

Can anyone identify what type of suspension this is? Suspension wise I feel like I'm driving a bug not a Porsche. It's on my top priority list to get this straightened out.

Here's the strut from above, the arrow points to the cheesy tiewraps:

And here it is from below:

Early_S_Man · 12-03-2006, 02:11 PM

It is clearly a Bilstein from the rollpin and green paint ... probably for an early RSR application using 'booster' coilover spring in addition to the torsion bar. Frere has shown pics of the same style in at least three of his books.

ericwitte · 12-03-2006, 02:13 PM

rsr are there triangulted reinforcements on the inside facing part of strut?

Paul Ferradas · 12-05-2006, 10:27 PM

I'm not sure, I'll have to take another look. I want to replace the front suspension but I'm not sure what to do. I can throw out the complete right side and get a new Bilstein shock/strut. How about the left side? If it's a Bilstein can I just replace the strut and not the shock?

I'd be over a grand if I replaced both with new assemblies, I'm trying to figure out my options.

Paul Ferradas · 12-05-2006, 10:28 PM

What are RSR's anyways?

Jeff Alton · 10:39 PM

Paul, I agree with Warren. You have an RSR strut of some descripiton. It is definetly a bilstien. I would like to know if the spindle height is the same left to right. You can source a matched pair of used struts (or a single) for pretty cheap, then you just need to have some new matching inserts installed. Do you have plans to upgrade the suspension in the future? Try to do it all at once if you can. PM me if you want, I might have some more options/details for you.

Cheers

Chuck Moreland · 12-05-2006, 10:39 PM

As above, that is a threaded-body RSR strut. The threaded body allows fitting coil over springs, which you don't have.

RSR struts also have a raised spindle, either 15mm or 19mm depended on the version. They also have a gussets reinforcing the spindle.

Since you have mismatched struts, it is likely that your other strut does not have a matching raised spindle - unless someone went through the process to raise it.

It is also possible that your inserts are not valved the same. RSR struts came with special valving on the inserts. So unless someone replaced the inserts with a matched pair, you are mismatched.

eidt: Jeff posted some of the same info while I was typing

Paul Ferradas · 12-05-2006, 10:43 PM

I know that I'm mismatched for sure. My PPI mechanic told me I had to different shocks. I'm assuming that I can throw out the RSR one and keep the Bilstein on the other side so all I have to do is buy a used shock for the RSR side of my car and buy 2 new inserts.

I'm very new to DIY'ing so I didn't understand most of the stuff that you guys were talking about. I feel so ignorant but I'm trying my best to learn and understand it. Although I do feel proud of myslef that I changed my spark plugs all by myself

Paul Ferradas · 12-05-2006, 10:45 PM

Jeff, I have no plans to upgrade the suspension. I would just like to have a nice solid ride. Right now the steering feels like I'm drive a VW Bug and not a Porsche. The steering goes everywhere, like a mind of it's own.

randywebb · 12-05-2006, 10:47 PM

The RSR was a 1970's high-zoot race car - if you know what an RS was,... the RSR was one step further.

That strut might be worth some $$.

What are the other terms you didn't understand?

Paul Ferradas · 12-05-2006, 10:56 PM

I guess the only other term I wasn't sure about is the spindle.

What I would like is for someone to see what I have on both sides and make a recommendation on what I should do to get the front suspension back on track. I don't want anything high performance an $$, I'm not driving the car on the track or anything.

Should I post detailed pictures of both sides then ask for opinions?

Paul Ferradas · 12-05-2006, 10:57 PM

I'm figuring that if I take my car in to get new shocks/struts on both sides it will run me about $1500 after parts and labor, is that about right?

Joeaksa · 12-05-2006, 11:00 PM

Paul,

Pls do not "throw out" but replace the one RSR unit to match the one on the car.

The used RSR part very well may pay for the replacement part when you sell it later!

Joe

Paul Ferradas · 12-05-2006, 11:03 PM

Really? I didn't know it was worth anything. Looks like it's beat up to me but then again what do I know. OK. I hold on to it. Thanks for the advice.

Joeaksa · 12-05-2006, 11:37 PM

Paul,

The people here who have posted will know a lot more than I do but anything RSR could well be worth saving. If nothing else someone trying to make a RSR clone might want the part.

Sure someone will chime in shortly.

Joe

Early_S_Man · 12-06-2006, 12:14 AM

Paul,

Here is an historical article you might be interested in reading:

'73 R&T RSR vs 911S Track Test ...

Paul Ferradas · 12-06-2006, 07:45 AM

Thanks for that article Warren. Now I know what an RSR is.

randywebb · 12-06-2006, 10:36 AM

The spindle is the "stick" that everything rotates around.

Then there is "raised spindle" -- for higher performance on a track or a road (where there are no objects or bumps in the road or steep driveways) you would like the car as low as possible -- less roll, right?

On a 911 tho - you have a bump steer issue when you lower it (search on that for more & esp. read Tyson's comments). So you need to compensate for it. If you just lower it a bit - for street use, there are spacers you can put in at the 2 steering rack bolts. If you go even lower (typically, for track only) then that doesn't work so well. Instead, you raise the spindles to compensate for the amount the car was lowered.

Must be some great shops in or near Santa Clara -- or a private expert who could help you. It's not like you are lost in the Orygun wilderness or anything. You might try a new post titled Need help in Santa Clara or something similar.

eimkeith · 12-06-2006, 10:42 AM

is it just me or does that "RSR" strut look bent?
do you have a lot of negative camber on that side?

Paul Ferradas · 12-13-2006, 09:49 PM

So I took a closer look at my suspension to see what I need to match things up. For the front driver side I have a Bilstein with this number on it: F4 V36 0127 HD

and on the passenger side, it also is a Bilstein with a number like this: 46918 C307 this number is not on a sticker but etched in the metal. This is the side that looks like an RSR.

So I'm thinking, should I just get 1 Bilstien shock to match the driver side and 2 new inserts? If the insert on the driver side is good should I still replace it since I'll be putting in a new one one the passenger side?

Another discovery is that the spacers on the fronts are different widths. One side is a 2 1/2" and the other side is 2 7/8's. Is this common? It doesn't make much sense to me. Could it be because of the unmatched shocks?

Thanks for the help
guys!

This is the passenger side:

And this is the driver side: