Shocks, Struts and Springs - '83 944

[JBC]

If you replace your shocks, struts and springs, do you need to have a special suspension shop do the work or can you DIY? It seems to me that you will need to do an alignment and I'm not sure I want a "non-Porsche" shop doing the work? Any suggestions?

[v2rocket_aka944]

definitely DIY.
since you have an 83 you don't need to mess with alignment at all.

rear shocks are comically easy. 30 minutes max including jacking and removing/installing wheels.

front struts you loosen the big nut at the top of the strut, remove the strut mount from body (4 small nuts), compress the spring with a spring compressor (carefully!), remove the strut mount and spring, unthread the big nut holding the shock insert to the strut housing and remove the insert...installation reverse of removal.

should only take a few hours in all.

[JBC]

Originally Posted by v2rocket_aka944

definitely DIY.
since you have an 83 you don't need to mess with alignment at all.

rear shocks are comically easy. 30 minutes max including jacking and removing/installing wheels.

front struts you loosen the big nut at the top of the strut, remove the strut mount from body (4 small nuts), compress the spring with a spring compressor (carefully!), remove the strut mount and spring, unthread the big nut holding the shock insert to the strut housing and remove the insert...installation reverse of removal.

should only take a few hours in all.

Okay, I still have a question. Why wouldn't new springs, struts and shocks change the footprint of the tire on the pavement slightly due to "stiffer" or "stronger" components and require some adjustment to alignment?

[9FF]

Originally Posted by JBC

Okay, I still have a question. Why wouldn't new springs, struts and shocks change the footprint of the tire on the pavement slightly due to "stiffer" or "stronger" components and require some adjustment to alignment?

You don't have to replace the struts on the early cars as they have removeable inserts. You also shouldn't need to replace the springs, they rarely lose their spring rate or efficiency even if they are the original factory springs. You just need to replace the dampers (shocks) as v2 described above and this will not affect alignment one bit.

If for some reason you fit uprated springs or change the struts you will need an alignment.

[v2rocket_aka944]

changing springs you probably *should* get a modified alignment, but...
i've been running 200# front springs since probably 2008 and didn't bother to change alignment settings from stock springs, and my tires have worn evenly...i don't think the difference from stock (160) to 200 is enough to really matter...but if you are going higher (250 say) then maybe.

[JBC]

Fantastic input gents. Appreciate the responses.

Sitting in the passenger seat with my son driving, I noticed that the car felt like it bottomed out a few times. So, I thought I had a multiple suspension problem. After this input, I think will will change the shocks first in the rear and see how ride improves. When I push down on the front end it feels good. When I push down on the back end it feels a little loose. So, maybe us need new rear Koni's. They are on sale now, so, I will order them and get back to the team on how it improves the car.

Again, mucho gracias.

JBC

[DannoXYZ]

Here's a guide from Clark's Garage - Strut Removal and Replacement

Note that the upper strut spindle-clamp bolts has an eccentric washer to adjust camber. If you run a line of touch-up paint across the bolt/washer to the strut before removing, you can re-install later and rotate the washer to the original orientation to preserve previous alignment.