Tools recom. to swap shocks and springs?

[ship4u]

I'm beginning preparation to change the suspension on my 95 993 back to the stock shocks and springs. What tools are recommended for this job? Is an impact wrench needed? If so, what would you recommend for a modest DIYer (translate to "penny pincher")?

Thanks!
Don

[cgfen]

Originally Posted by ship4u

I'm beginning preparation to change the suspension on my 95 993 back to the stock shocks and springs. What tools are recommended for this job? Is an impact wrench needed? If so, what would you recommend for a modest DIYer (translate to "penny pincher")?

Thanks!
Don

look here

http://forums.rennlist.com/rennforums/993-forum/258810-diy-suspension-install-for-dummies.html

cheers

[ship4u]

Perfect!
Thanks

[Don Plumley]

When you say, back to stock, you mean new stock (monroe) shocks?

[ship4u]

Originally Posted by Don Plumley

When you say, back to stock, you mean new stock (monroe) shocks?

I just recently purchased my 95 cab and the previous owner had installed Eibach lowering springs. The car sits too low for me. A very nice guy, Scott, who contributes to this list, offered to send me his original stock set of springs and shocks with only 17K miles on them for free. So, I'm planning bring it back to it's original setup.

I thought of going with the ROW height, but I kinda like the original, and I'm not sure that 1" difference justifies the cost of buying new shocks and springs.

Don

[Don Plumley]

I understand about too low. I encourage you to look at before/after ride height pictures to ensure that the original SUV-like ride height isn't too high for you. That's the benefit of ROW height, it just looks "right."

My caution is on age of shocks. The stock Monroe's were serious POS. They tended to wear out quickly resulting in a buick-like ride. Because you have to realign the car when you change out suspension components, you want to do this once if possible.

Don

[ship4u]

Originally Posted by Don Plumley

I understand about too low. I encourage you to look at before/after ride height pictures to ensure that the original SUV-like ride height isn't too high for you. That's the benefit of ROW height, it just looks "right."

My caution is on age of shocks. The stock Monroe's were serious POS. They tended to wear out quickly resulting in a buick-like ride. Because you have to realign the car when you change out suspension components, you want to do this once if possible.

Don

Geez....it seemed to me, from what I have read, that the lowering springs and stiffer shocks were more for the folks who were into racing and performance riding. It even says on the Pelican site, something to the effect that the original Porsche parts were so good, why change. The original Monroe's are expensive, around $400 and $500 each, while the stock Bilsteins appear to be less than half the cost.
So, I figured that a low mileage set of originals would last a long time. Is that not true? I've heard several people comment that the bilstein HD's created a much stiffer ride. Is that true?
I don't plan on racing my car, per se, I'd just like to have a nice ride without going overboard with sway bars, etc.
Any comments for the daily driver?
Thanks
The euro springs aren't bad, less than $500 for the set

[Don Plumley]

Springs are the primary contributor to what make a ride harsh. Shocks (or dampers as they are called in the UK) reduce the bouncing after the shocks are compressed. Stiffer shocks reduce the bouncing/rebound and contribute to a more "taut" ride, but I think the harsh quality you are afraid of is primary spring related. Would be good to have someone else chime in on that - Bill?

I think Bilstein HD's are a good choice for a daily driver. But given the expense, I'd find someone with a set installed before you lay down the cash.

[ship4u]

Originally Posted by Don Plumley

I understand about too low. I encourage you to look at before/after ride height pictures to ensure that the original SUV-like ride height isn't too high for you. That's the benefit of ROW height, it just looks "right."

My caution is on age of shocks. The stock Monroe's were serious POS. They tended to wear out quickly resulting in a buick-like ride. Because you have to realign the car when you change out suspension components, you want to do this once if possible.

Don

Hi Don,
My shocks are BOGE. Any ideas on how long they should last? Everyone seems to be so up on Bilstein HD's that noone says much about anything else.
Thanks,
Don

[Don Plumley]

Boge is a good shock brand, much better than Monroe. Don't have a good idea how long they should last - I'm confused are they on the car now?

[ship4u]

Originally Posted by Don Plumley

Boge is a good shock brand, much better than Monroe. Don't have a good idea how long they should last - I'm confused are they on the car now?

Sorry for the confusion. Yes, the Boges are on the car now. It appears that the previous owner lowered the car with Eibach springs, but kept the original Boge shocks. The car now has 39K miles on the clock. My concern is that the lowering springs may have damaged the shocks by not allowing the pistons to expand as they should. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Don

[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by Don Plumley

Springs are the primary contributor to what make a ride harsh. Shocks (or dampers as they are called in the UK) reduce the bouncing after the shocks are compressed. Stiffer shocks reduce the bouncing/rebound and contribute to a more "taut" ride, but I think the harsh quality you are afraid of is primary spring related. Would be good to have someone else chime in on that - Bill?

I think Bilstein HD's are a good choice for a daily driver. But given the expense, I'd find someone with a set installed before you lay down the cash.

I do agree that for most folks the Bilstein HD will be fine

It's beeen my experience that though springs do contribute to ride quality the shocks are far more important

I've found by experimenting w/ the JICs that the ride is very different for full soft to full hard w/ the same springs. I friend w/ the same car as mine but w/ double adjustable Motons runs can run much higher spring rates and still get a very acceptable ride.


here's what the RSR double adjustable shock rates look like







On track where the roll and other chassis motion needs to be better controlled the higher spring rates and higher shock rates really shine.

[yel911]

Not to steal this thread, but, I bought the lowering springs and haven't installed them yet. From what I'm reading, you just use a stock ride height shock with lowering springs? I thought I would need a shock with reduced travel to match the lowering springs. I have no clue....

[Cooper911SC]

I'm getting set to put Bilstein HD's and stock Euro M033 lowering springs onto the 993 next week. I'll create a post as I do the install. Also replacing control arm bushings and repacking CV's.

The car has 160K on stock Monroes...it rides very gooshy and bumpsteers horrible.

Can't wait to get started!

Cooper

[yel911]

I'm getting set to put Bilstein HD's and stock Euro M033 lowering springs onto the 993 next week. I'll create a post as I do the install. Also replacing control arm bushings and repacking CV's.

Sweet....just what I need!!!

[ChrisL]

I have 60k on my original Boges and the rears are getting a bit soft, but they're fine for now. When you pull your shocks to change out the springs, you'll know if they're good or not. They should extend on their own, give good resistance to being pushed in, and return within a few seconds.

Chris.

[ship4u]

Thanks for the info Chris.

Don