Frustrated with my front suspension!!!!!1

[Unknown_Monkey]

Hey I have a 1975 Porsche 914 2.0 I did a bounce test on the back of my car and the shocks are fine, I then did a bounce test on the front of the car and the car didn't bounce at all. I have a H&H sway bar on the front I don't know what size. I think the front have boge struts and i was wondering if they are bad. Also I'm not sure if I have to detach the the drop links from the sway bar to do a bounce test?

Thanks Max

[80-911SC]

What are you frustrated with ?? is it to hard .. to soft .. washey ???

[John Rogers]

A "bounce test" on a 914 is about as useful as tits-on-a-tomcat. The best thing to do is pull the inserts out to see what they are and if they can be compressed and if so the force required. That would also let you be able to measure the sway bar to see what it is. You could also measure the front t-bars as they might not be stock? The sway bar works to prevent twisting not up and down as the torsion bars do that and the strut inserts work at damping the motion.

[Unknown_Monkey]

Thank you very much John Rogers that was exactly what i was looking for, I'm only 16 and this stuff gets really confusing specially when i was asking my friend for help and he asked where the springs were.

[RichMink76]

Ah, 16 and a 914 for your first car. You are on your way my Friend.
914's are wonderful cars to work on and learn from. There is a wealth of information here, enjoy.

[Flieger]

Cool car for a 16 yr. old. What are your issues with the handling that make you suspect something is wrong?

[John Rogers]

Well you are indeed on your way. The 914 has rear springs, usually worn out unless the person you bought the car from was very nice to it. The front has torsion bars or t-bars and struts with an insert. You have to learn very quickly when asking for advice (as was noted) to be specific about what you are looking for or what you think the issue might be. Since I guess the car must drive, maybe not like what you were used to, I would suggest the following things, as quickly as you can if possible.

- Read all the 914 related tech articles through at least once and make a note of what they all are for future reference.

- Get the electrical diagram set for your car and although the 75 is slightly different the one here for the 74 is pretty great.

- Get the 914 related tech manuals, try to find a real 914 spec/drivers manual and they used to still be available from Porsche.

- Get the Bosch FI manual which covers how D-Jet works as you'll need it Also there is a great D-Jet reference on the web but I'll let you find it.

- Get tools if you have none, Harbor Freight sets will do fine. Also will need a multimeter for electrical testing. Also special ones like the socket for the CV joint bolts and the trans fill/drain plugs.

- Find out what bulbs are needed for all the lights and get spares and carry them with you as 914s vibrate a lot and are hard on bulbs.

- Learn parts identification such as what brake calipers are on the front, what pads on the car, what master cylinder, etc, etc. The PO may have done changes.

- Find the fuse panel and look around it and see if there are "extra" wires and what they are for.

- Find out how to pull the drivers seat out so when you have to work under the dash it will more comfortable without it in the way.

- Find out the seals condition for the side windows, doors and Targa top as they let rain in and are very expensive to get new ones!

Now you know what to look for and where to look.

[fetus]

I bought my first 914 when I was 18 back in 1978. All I had was a Haynes manual and I did all my own maintenance and upgrades. I would recommend starting with the Haynes manual.
Also lots of good information on this site and 914world.com.