Rear Deck Shock Install

John Peters · 07-05-2002, 02:11 PM

A question on installation of the rear lid shocks. I'm finding that the new new rear lid shocks I'm trying to install are slightly too long and I can't compress them to install the pin. They look identical to the ones I removed (they are the same length the difference is I can compress the old ones but not the new ones). Am I missing something obvious? I have the lid raised as far as it will go and it seems like there should be enough tolerance in the system that I shouldn't have to loosen hinges etc. to get the pins to install. I searched the archives and found a couple of instances where people had a similar problem, but, I couldn't find what they did to resolve the problem.

TIA,
John

rstoll · 07-05-2002, 02:25 PM

I had my wife lift the lid up, while I did the installation.

Doug E · 07-06-2002, 05:29 AM

John -

Are the shocks OEM? There was a thread not too long ago about how some aftermarket shocks are actually longer then the original factory shocks. I think in those cases they did have to make some modifications but I can't remember for sure.

When I did mine I purchased replacements from Pelican for both the front and rear and they fit perfectly.

Good luck.

carnut169 · carnut169's Garage

You should be able to screw in the end to get a little more clearance.... but the new shocks will compress. Just compared to the old ones they are very stiff. I put the inner side in first, then used my weight to push it in enough to hook up the side attached to the deck lid.

John Peters · 07-06-2002, 02:54 PM

Thanks to everyone for the feedback. Although the shocks aren't from the Porsche dealer I believe they are OEM. Both the new and old shocks are manufactured by Stabilus, German, and externally identical. Right now my garage is about a 125 degF so I'll give a rest until tomorrow. Maybe in the morning I'll try screwing in one of the ends and seeing if the AC plumbing or ground straps are preventing the lid from going all the way up.

Thxs,
John

'89 911

expat · 07-06-2002, 11:48 PM

John,

I had the same problem with mine (although ordered from PP).

It was about 5mm too long. After trying for about the 10th time I got the hood up enough to get the pin thru.

I then VERY gingerly closed the lid down but not all the way. I did this several times to see if the shock would free up a bit. Then I closed it down fully. The lid sprung up on the side the shock was on, and I am still living with this at the moment. Its about 3mm higher on that side.

At least now though, the lid does spring up when I pull on the cable and certainly has no trouble staying up.

I also found that the shock mount closest to the firewall bent a little when I closed the lid. Be careful for you might just bend it badly.

Sorry this ain't much help, just an experience with a cautionary note!

Cheers
Mark

pnzr911 · 07-07-2002, 02:36 AM

JUst loosen the deck lid bolts and walla you can now get the shocks in. I put in 3 from PP and the work just great!! Waynes 101 book has a section on it. Good luck and get a helper!