strut cartridges

SuperDave · 11-08-2003, 07:51 AM

the car came with a pair of gabriel strut cartridges still in the box.. are they worth a crap for this car or should i get a different set?

1.2gees · 1.2gees's Garage

They're not really comparable to a set of Bilstein or KYB, Sachs or Boges, but I will admit I have no personal experience w/Gabriels. I'm assuming you posted on the turbo board by accident?
Ahmet

Kirby2 · 11-11-2003, 12:14 PM

If your original shocks are definitely leaking oil or losing rebound capability, and the gabriel struts are the only thing you can afford, take a chance.
It is a good 1/2 day job to put the front on jackstands, remove the wheels, remove the struts from the car, and dismantle the strut to replace the cartridge, and reasemble the whole package.

That job, plus an alignment ($50 to $75).

You have to ask yourself if all that effort is worth putting a definitely inferior cartrige into your Porsche suspension.

WinfieldKS · 11-17-2003, 04:24 AM

The Gabriels should be fine for street use, expecially with an automatic car. It would likely ride much better than worn-out stock units. There are more suitable strut brands for serious autocross or anything on the track but it's not likely that an automatic 944 would be used in this fashion. Go with the Gabriels. They can't hurt and would likely help.

The are only two difficulties for the average do-it-yourselfer in this job. Besides a jack, jack stands and normal metric tools you will need a spring compressor tool. These can sometimes be rented from auto parts stores or purchased at tool stores (less than $50?). The other sticky bit is getting the top nut off of the strut in the car so as to be able to remove it. The tool store or the guy in the Snap-On truck should be able to help you there. The problem is that you have to hold on to the shaft with a metric allen wrench while also turning the shaft nut. Check it out and you'll see what I mean. I couldn't find a suitable tool in the small town that I live in so I made one by grinding flats in the side of a 1/2" drive, 22mm socket to get a wrench one it. Then I could stick the allen wrench down the socket's drive hole to engage the shaft while turning the nut via the 22mm socket and a large open-end wrench.

While changing the strut cartridge by itself shouldn't alter wheel alignment it wouldn't hurt to have one done afterwards. Also check the tie rod ends, inner and outer, for wear. Replace and re-align as needed afterwards.

Kirby2 · 11-17-2003, 06:17 AM

You give very thorough advice. Just one thing though, to remove the cartrige, you need to loosten and remove two bolts that hold the strut to the pivot arm, one of which is the eccentric bolt that is used to adjust the alignment. Failure to check the alignment after removing and reinstalling these bolts could at best cause undue tire wear, and at worst be dangerous to the handling of the car.
This is a false economy, get the alignment checked, even if you think you put everything back where you had it originally.

Some auto parts stores will loan a set of spring compressors free (with a deposit). Get a set that has locks on the spring hooks though (much safer)

WinfieldKS · 11-17-2003, 06:44 AM

Kirby2 is correct. I had forgotten that the 944 uses eccentric bolts which muct be undone to remove the strut from the car for servicing. It would be very difficult to reinstall them 'exactly' in the same spot so a front wheel alignment is pretty much mandatory.

I apologize for the error -- I must have been thinking of my Renault which does not use eccentrics. Only the driver is eccentric! <grin>

SuperDave · 11-17-2003, 01:35 PM

i have done these on a 300zx a few times.. so i think i should be able to do this one... the gabriels came with the car thats why i was wondering if they were any good.. she is in the shop now.. couldnt figure out the running and dieing part.. thanks for all the help guys!