914 Shocks

kmhemi · 06-29-2004, 03:41 AM

I need to replace the shocks on my 914. I see Pelican has KYB front shocks for 99.00 Anyone tried them? or should I step up and buy the better ones? It's just a daily driver, no racing or anything? These have the control arm welded to them don't they?

JWest · 06-29-2004, 04:28 AM

KYB are often refered to as "kill yer backs" because they are very very uncomfortable to drive on.

Boge if you want a quality stock replacement - Bilstein and Koni sound like overkill for your intended use.

I'm not sure what you mean by the control arm being welded. The front shock is inserted in to the strut housing, which is attached to the control arm by a ball joint.

kmhemi · 06-29-2004, 04:35 AM

Thanks James,
I haven't had the front end disassembled on a 914 before. It looked like a one piece deal to me. That makes it a whole lot easier. I appreciate the quick answer.

JWest · 06-29-2004, 07:39 AM

If you are just replacing the shock, you can actually do it very quickly.

Undo the big center nut on the top of the strut (in the trunk).

Remove the wheel, pull the strut down and carefully move it out past the fender, pivoting on the ball joint. Make sure you don't stretch the brake line.

Remove the dust cover and undo the collar at the top of the strut housing.

Pull the shock out and replace with the new one.

Put it all back together.

Alfred1 · 06-29-2004, 08:00 AM

I believe Bilsteins were an option on our cars when they were new.

sean_V8_914 · sean_V8_914's Garage

compress the shock as you slide it past the fender lip. dont forget to re-install the bump stop doughnut looking rubber thing over the shock shaft. KYB gas adjust(whites) are adjustable. in full hard, they can be quite rough on the kidneys. IMO they were not bad when set to soft. Boge fades if you romp on them. how much are the softer Boge?

JWest · 06-30-2004, 04:31 AM

KYBs are NOT adjustable. The white ones are called Gas-a-Just, but they are not an adjustable shock.

If you were adjusting a shock on a 914 you probably had Konis.

Tidybuoy · 07-01-2004, 05:00 PM

I'm putting Bilsteins on my car. I've had stock Boge and they were mushy but worn out & I had brand new Boge on my BMW and they were mushy too.

My current 914 came with Koni Red adjustable and I find them to be a little on the bouncy side but way better than stock.

I've also had KYB gas & the car feels like a Flinstone mobile - harsh as can be.

I can't yet speak for the Bilsteins but I'm gettin them anyway. I feel that with the Koni's, I'm always adjusting them but there's not that much of a noticable difference.

I need a good all around performance shock & Bilsteins come as factory upgrades for many German cars.

HarveyH · 07-02-2004, 05:35 PM

Just put Bilsteins on my car to replace a set of KYB's. Stock torsion bars, 19mm front sway bar, stock rear sway bar, 100 Lb rear springs, Mahle alloys and Yoko AVS dB's in 195-65X15. The ride with the Bil's is firm, but MUCH smoother than the KYB's. The jounce valving on the KYB's seems to have been very stiff, it felt like you crashed into any irregularities in the road surface, now, the suspension smooths things out like it's supposed to. Now a much more enjoyable car to drive. Bil's are more $$, but KYB's are crap.
Harvey