what struts do I have?

[earlyaircooled]

I have a 71E that had the hydropneumatic struts removed and supposedly "s" struts installed. The struts are painted black, not sure if they were originally black or painted? They have aluminum S calipers on them. There is a part number on them 911 341 923 00. Anyone know what I have, Koni, Bilstein, Boge?

[Wil Ferch]

If black...and if you clean off more grunge....you will likely find the "BOGE" brand stamped somewhere on the body. That said...it will tell you nothing as Boge *housings* can be easily retrofitted with Koni of Bilstein, or other brand, *inserts*.

You need to open em up to know for sure.

[Flieger]

Post a photo. Konis have a necked-down area near the spindle. Boges are straight.

[tctnd]

Actually, Boges have a necked down area as well; Bilsteins are straight.
regards,
Phil

[Wil Ferch]

All housings "bodies" have some more identifying marks on them...as I've already said. Plus.....you still don't know what's inside...also said. Boges have a "bulge" right over the collar underneath that becomes the stub-axle. Makes "raising spindles" difficult if not impossible..although some have done it. Yes....Boge housings have a "buge"..another clue.

[myamoto1]

Follow Wil's advice to determine the type of strut you have. You can also measure the distance between the brake caliper mounting points to see if it's pre '73 (I think that's when it changed). 3" center to center is pre '73, 3.5" is post '73.

If you have the dust covers off, it's pretty easy to tell a Boge vs Bilstein insert.
I can't vouch for the Koni inserts, but the Boge and Bilstein inserts use different retaining nuts. Typically the Bisteins are chrome (silver) and a bit thicker than the Boge's. Also the Boge's have the special hex/oc-taginal cut out in the screw plug and a rubber shock absorber (bump stop) over the insert's shaft.

[earlyaircooled]

I listed the part number stamped on them in the first post, thought someone could tell me from the part number?

[Wil Ferch]

Part number is only an internal Pordsche part number. In addition....if you look more closely and perhaps wipe away some more grime elsewhere.....you will see the manufacturter's logo or brand name too....like Boge. As said, even if you find this out....the internals could have been changed to anything else...so you still don't know unless you look inside.

[Steve@Rennsport]

Good advice here,.....

You really need to take one apart and see what insert you have: Boge or Bilstein. By looking at the numbers on the insert, you'll know if they are stock Boge, Bilstein HD or Bilstein Sport.

[myamoto1]

earlyaircooled - just noticed you're local. let me know if you want some help w/ anything. I can't help w/ identifying a lot of parts (variances between years), but thanks to Steve, I'm practically a strut expert. Or at least I can play one on the interweb