Newbie comments on first shock change...

[chrisbruck]

At least first for me on the 911 (not really a shock newbie)...

Boge to Bilstein HD swap.

1). The original Boge front shocks have oil in them. LOTS of it. And they aren't sealed inserts. LOTS of oil got everywhere. The shock acted like a plunger when pulling it out and I got a nice even spray all over the inside of the wheel arch. Wasn't expecting that. Read posts about SOME oil but I guess I didn't read deep enough about the type of shocks the Boge units are. At least I was smart enough to cover the rotor and caliper first with a towel.

2). You really do have to man handle those new front inserts to compress them down to clear the fender. The you got to do it all over again once it's in the wheel well to get the dust cover on and get it up in the upper mount. I never climbed in the front wheel well and hugged a front hub like that before.

3). Right rear upper shock nut.... I can't see let alone reach back in there and feel it. Took off the air filter cover and filter. Crap, still can't see. Quick scan of the Pelican posts and found a comment from one who said to just take out the whole filter /MAF assembly. Was only 3 nuts and swung the whole unit out of the way. Ah, piece of cake now. Plus I found two unattached hoses tucked back behind there as well. Fixed all that.

4). Impact wrench is my best friend. Knocked off the front upper nuts and rear lower bolts in a pinch.

Happy with the results. Not as much of a change as I expected in the driving feel but the rear definitely doesn't squat as much. One rear shock was toast.

As for ride height, barely changed. I was expecting a lot more height given all the other posts I read. Fronts both increased only 1/8" and the rears were both a 1/2". Stance still looks great.

Took about 6 hrs total but I was on my own and not in a particular hurry. Would do it again in a heartbeat.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Compressing a front strut to make it fit under a fender lip. Denting the palms of your hands with the shock threads to the point of agony only to have it re-expand in the wheel well. Incomparable joy. I had forgotten that joy. Now I remember! Ahhh yes... Thanks a lot!!!!!

[cashman]

Do you need to perform a wheel alignment and corner balance after changing the shocks?

[gsxrken]

Originally Posted by cashman

Do you need to perform a wheel alignment and corner balance after changing the shocks?

Nope. Alignment is changed if the tie rod sleeves are adjusted, or the upper shock mounts are adjusted. neither chane in a shock swap. same with the rear except the adjustments are on the swing arm to banana arm.
And the ride height will return to normal. The springs determine ride height, not the mild amount of nitrogen in the shock to keep aeration down.

[chrisbruck]

Originally Posted by cashman

Do you need to perform a wheel alignment and corner balance after changing the shocks?

Mine actually tracks a tad bit straighter now. None of the alignment items were touched so I wasn't worried about it. Feels great.