shocks and stuff

[Dave Mac]

I have a question regarding updating the shocks in my 79 SC. Besides re and re the shocks what other things should be done to go with that update? Corner balancing, alignment etc.??

[500_19B]

Beautiful car! I like that color combination!

I am progressing through a suspension and brake refresh on my 100K mile 1985. I have found the bushings were in real need of replacement (particularly the springplate and front control arm ones). Worn springplate bushings will produce a harsh ride. When the control arms bushings wear, not only do you get more ride harshness, but the rear-most area of the front torsion bars can begin to rub (and wear) on the carrier. Left unchecked it can groove the torsion bars which can ultimately become a failure point.

Some good options for bushings... I'm going with OE-style rubber from Elephant Racing (which our host sells).

A good suspension refresh would be:

1) New shocks
2) New bushings (control arm, springplate and sway bars plus, POSSIBLY banana arm - these seem to last really well)
3) Turbo tie rods (OEM type)
4) New ball joints (front control arms) - include new wedge pins

Possible items to check and consider:

1) Wheel bearings
2) Your brake system

Your thought of a corner balance and alignment is a great way to wrap it up.

[911st]

I did just what 500 19B said. Full suspention, tie rods, brakes, alignment, & corner ballance.


One should be able to just replace shocks without doing anything else. However most go to a gas filled shock and that increases the ride height.

Most sould do the rear spring plate and front A arm bushings as most all have sagged by now and there can be metal to metal contact that can hinder the torsion bar's integrity.

Might as well do the sway bar bushing at the same time as the front's are almost impossable to do later without taking the front apart again.

If this is done a quality alignment and corner balance is a good investment at around $500-1000 range.

If you are thinking of doing any kind of mods that might effect the weight or balance of your car, do that first or you may be redoing your height and corner balance again later.

[Wil Ferch]

I think all of us at one point will share this problem-->

1.) We know adjusting ride heights for front is an "easy" change to make
2.) doing it for the rear is a bit involved, but made more certain for a 1 x try by using my angle calculator...still a B^tch to deal with, so we try to avoid if we can
3.) We all think our cars have too high of a ride height anyway.
4.) Almost "All" replacement shocks of any brand name will be high-pressure gas type....which typically exert enough force to raise the car 1/2" or more.

So...what to do?
1.) Fit Bilsteins, Koni's, whatever brand... high pressure gas...and risk having to re-index the rear bars. Fronts are no problem
2.) Fit hard to find, special Koni Yellow non-gas rears....look up a thread I was involved in with key words "Red and Yellow" Koni's.

[911st]

Wil,

I thougth the original Boge shocks were a non gas shock but it appears they are. My error.

If so are the Bilstein shocks a high pressure and the Boge a low pressure?

Or will both of them rase the car height?

Some years ago I put adjustable front and rear Koni's on my 72 911S lt wt. I think to get a rear adjustable it had to be a non gas shock which seemed odd.

I think this might be it: Koni Sport, Externally Adj., Shortened Body

Still, best to do a full suspension work up at once if it has the original bushings and they are most certainly shot.