Are these bilstein shocks?

[Sebscst]

Po did alot of suspension work on my 83 944 are these original or have they been upgraded. I bought the car from his son and he did not know. Is there a way to tell? Thanks.

[shadetree944]

I have Bilstein on my 944. Judging by the strut caps, it looks like Bilstein to me. If the accordion boot is blue, should be Bilstein.

[Sebscst]

Thanks the reason i asked is i dont see any markings and the po son gave me some bilstein wrenches for shocks, just trying to figure out what i have.

[Gawernator]

Can you take better pictures? They're probably BILSTEIN or Sachs

[Mr. Squid]

Typically Bilstein Shocks are a Monotube design, if you pull back the boot, the chrome shaft should almost be the same diameter as the outer tube that it sits in, most twin tube shocks have a shaft that is a third of the size.

[924RACR]

Well described above, but monotube design isn't the reason the Bilsteins appear to have such a larger diameter strut rod. Monotubes will not have any larger diameter rod than a twin-tube, per se.

The reason the Bilstein struts seem so much bigger is that they're built inverted; you're actually looking at the outer part of the damper. Pretty funky, but in a good way.

Don't believe me? Here's some pics - note that these are race parts, not street parts, but may be comparable to the OP's condition.

First, here's a full-race Bilstein strut next to a Koni Yellow (as seen on an early 944 chassis):


The street Bilstein strut is similarly large, but not quite as huge in diameter as the above.

Now, for the rears, just to prove my point re: monotubes - here's a pic of a Bilstein monotube race tube shock as fitted to the rear of the same car (actually a 2.0L 924 NA, but same chassis as the 944 of course):


Note that, while the rod is indeed larger than typical street shocks, it's still smaller vs. the struts. The size difference is just the more robust race build.

Hope that helps...

[Mr. Squid]

Good Information.

I Love My Bilsteins!

I have had them on several different kinds of cars, and I have been happy with the results on all cars.

If you race your car it is nice to know you can send them out and have them re-valved to your spring rates.

[Sebscst]

Thanks for the info