suspension overhaul - Bay Area

[TimB]

I've decided my first expenditure (is that a word?!) on the Targa will be a suspension overhaul and lowering. The problem with lowering is the car already scrapes my steep driveway apron - but that's another issue.

I will probably get turbo tie rods and new sway bar. Should I trust my local shop to do this (I actually haven't used them yet) or are there specialists in the Bay Area people would recommend?
BTW I am in Alameda and work in Pleasanton.


Thanks

[N11Porsche]

Hi Tim,

You have probably heard of Kahler's in Dublin. (close to your work). They aren't cheap but they do excellent work. They completely rebuilt my tranny, which now shifts, smoooooth as butter. They have done other work for me and everything gets done right - the first time. Denny Kahler is the owner and a member of my P.C.A. branch, nice guy! They are very busy but worth the wait.

Try
Roger Kraus - Castro Valley, CA (510) 582-5031

Ken

[emcon5]

I have heard good things about these guys:

http://www.customalignment.com/

Tom

[TimB]

Thanks guys.

Bill, that gearbox of yours does it for me. Could get pricey since I'd want him to tweek mine while it's there as well.
Through our home remodel I have found the four most expensive words are "While you're at it..."!

Tim

[Don Wohlfarth]

Tim, take a minute as you may want to rethink this.
Generally, a sway bar is the final step to help "tune" your suspension. This is after you have upgraded the torsion bars.
Putting a heavier sway on stock suspension is only a band aid to hide the fact that you need heavier torsion bars.
Look at your suspension as a package or a system. If you do something to the front you should do something to the back.
Go ahead with the tie rods and have your car lowered and realigned. Drive it for a while to see if you still want to change any of the suspension. While you're at it, you may want to check your shocks. New bilstiens or koni's can make a big difference. Replacing all the bushings can make a difference.
Good luck.

[TimB]

Thanks Don. I was going to look at bushings and torsion bars too - and fix the bump steer when it gets lowered. I don't think I will go "all out" just now. I'd like to see how it feels after it's updated. You're right. The sway bar would probably be the last item to replace.

Thanks again.

[JSDSKI]

IMHO,
in order of their effect on vehicle dynamics:

1) all bushings (how important are new shocks, bars, or settings if the suspension bits move independently of the chassis or vice versa?)

2) torsion bars (their size and spring rate determine the shocks, set ride height and thus alignment)

3) shocks (for fine tuning torsion bars in relation to roads and driving style)

4) corner weighting (lets make sure the chassis is balanced and straight)

5) alignment (everything working together now!)

6) swaybar (the last touch - which end of the car do you like to feel move first?)

7) tires and tire pressure (depending upon local real time conditions and your mood)

Anyway, that's the approach I plan on....

Good luck and keep us posted!