Lowering the rear suspension

TNT25169 · 06-11-2003, 03:00 PM

I was told that I am able to lower the rear of my 1988 944 and I was just wondering if anyone knew how to do this. I would also like to know if the car would be realligned when the rear stuts are changed or if the car is lowered. Thank you much.

John

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-Black 1988 944
-Red with yellow flames 1976 Chevy Vega

will944 · will944's Garage

Two choices on this matter:

1) Have the transaxle removed and adjust the torsion bars by rotating them a certain amount of degrees and direction. The info is available online...but the process is quite expensive to have done by a mechanic

2) Adjust the "eccentric" bolts. Between your torsion bar and rear hub assembly there is a piece of steel connecting the two. The Eccentric bolt is the one with the very large size head. This can be loosened and the piece of steel moved upward as far as possible and of course retightened. Be sure you loosen only this bolt. This will only give you about 3/4 of an inch lowering.

I chose the 2nd option bcz of its low cost and time. I have lowering springs on the front which lower the car just over an inch. So the wheel gap over the rear tire is just a bit more......but the car has a nice aggresive look to it.

TNT25169 · 06-11-2003, 05:47 PM

Will lowering the rear force me to get a reallignment on the car or will everything be alright? And did your chip make your car feel any different and what type of exhaust do you have?

John

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-Black 1988 944
-Red with yellow flames 1976 Chevy Vega

Moneyguy1 · 06-11-2003, 06:19 PM

Remove the transaxle to reindex the torsion bars? I don't think so.

will944 · will944's Garage

I don't believe there was any realigning to my car. By adjusting the eccentric bolt, there is no real way to change the alignment. My car was aligned after I did the work bcz of the front....and they didn't mention anything about adjusting the rear

The chip gave my car life!! HUGE difference...especially at altitude. Much stronger push throughout the RPM range.

I bought Bursch exhaust. It helped the car breathe better for sure, and sounds stock (no obnoxious Honda sound). It was only $250 for the cat back system. It doesn't have a nice polished tip...which I think would be nice....but oh well

Moneyguy1: I was told by Ian (the owner of 944-online.com) that the process to adjust the torsion bars requires the removal of the transaxle. If you know a way around it please do share!!!????

Moneyguy1 · 06-12-2003, 10:10 AM

Never did it on a '44, but I did a '24 with the tranny in place. I will look in my manual and see. I am capable of making mistakes too. "In case of confusion, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!!" (repeat to myself 20 times)

924Sman · 11:57 AM

To adjust ride height in the rear do as follows:

Lift the car
Mark the location of the trailing arm with paint
Loosen the 24mm Pivot nut and the 24mm Eccentric nut located on the arm
Turn the 36mm Eccentric bolt in the direction needed in this case lowered. Move the arm up in this case
You will only get about 3/4" change
Torque to spec and replace da wheelz

And IMHO get the car aligned!!! I will argue this point to the end. Any time the suspension is changed it is going to change tracking or alignment especially in front but there is some toe and camber to adjust in rear. If you are tracking the car get the alignment specs you wish to run such as 2.25 neg camber zero toe etc.

Balance is the other issue here, you say nothing of lowering the front as well. Lower the rear- lower the front equally!!!!!!! You lower only the rear and the car is now out of balance. These cars are not for st8 line speed we get ours in cornering and momentum. If you have poor balance and alignment you are loosing valuable seconds!! Good Luck!! ps I am not even going to get into "chips" or Bursch

Sman