While I'm in there advice when replacing shocks/struts

[ninezeroone]

I'm replacing my stock suspension and wheels with new Koni FSDs w/m033 springs and Sport Techno wheels w/Sumitomo HTR ZIII's. Just looking for advice from all who have gone down this road. There is nothing like being in the middle of a project and finding items that need/should be replaced and then either having to stall the project or do it all over again. I know this varies from car to car, how many miles, how it's driven and where it lives/lived but I'm just looking for common items that most have wished they replaced or had to replace during the install. This is for a 96 993 with just over 100k miles. I don't think any of the bushings have ever been replaced. Obviously if they are torn they should be replaced but I have no way of telling, for instance, what shape the shock mounts are in. How long do these generally last? This car is used on the street only. If I'm lucky, I drive it a few times a week. Appreciate any input.

[wesleyc]

I would definitely replace the a-arm bushings. They need it and you’ll be able to tell after it’s lowered and everything is tight. You’ll probably start the shakes when breaking hard or hitting a pothole. I put Chris walrod bushings on my car after replacing my suspension.

[ninezeroone]

Originally Posted by wesleyc

I would definitely replace the a-arm bushings. They need it and you’ll be able to tell after it’s lowered and everything is tight. You’ll probably start the shakes when breaking hard or hitting a pothole. I put Chris walrod bushings on my car after replacing my suspension.

Yeah good call. I think I recall these being close to end of life when I had the car on a lift a year or so ago. I definitely would prefer replacing these before I get it aligned.

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[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by ninezeroone

I'm replacing my stock suspension and wheels with new Koni FSDs w/m033 springs and Sport Techno wheels w/Sumitomo HTR ZIII's. Just looking for advice from all who have gone down this road. There is nothing like being in the middle of a project and finding items that need/should be replaced and then either having to stall the project or do it all over again. I know this varies from car to car, how many miles, how it's driven and where it lives/lived but I'm just looking for common items that most have wished they replaced or had to replace during the install. This is for a 96 993 with just over 100k miles. I don't think any of the bushings have ever been replaced. Obviously if they are torn they should be replaced but I have no way of telling, for instance, what shape the shock mounts are in. How long do these generally last? This car is used on the street only. If I'm lucky, I drive it a few times a week. Appreciate any input.

It's common to upgrade the bushes, oe are fairly soft rubber and degrade to a certain extent astime passes
in front here's what is usually addressed, stock has all soft bushes, RS uses stiffer rubber bushes on the trailing legs, most upgraders use stiffer Elephant sport bushes on all legs


The rear is complicated and arguably more important. There are 5 links on each side.
stock has softer rubber on all. RS uses stiffer rubber on the KT link(top rear) and the triling leg of the A-arm(center bottom. The toe link(bottom rearmost) is the most stressed and wears first. If you buy RS KT and A-arm you get new striffer sport bushes + new ball joints. Many will replace just the 2 special RS bushes w/ Elephant Sport, this works very well, Others will replace some or all of the others w/ Elephant Sport rubber. The A[arm leading leg is a mono-ball and is often sloppy, replacing the A-arm w/ an RS version is often a really good choice as you get new ball joint, and new bushes on both legs. The subframe mounts can be address but aren't usually an issue, for track use they are worth addressing especially on a really low car but for street use a non-issue in most cases.

[ninezeroone]

Thanks Bill. I think I was reading through your thread last night. Good stuff.

How about shock mounts? I'm most concerned with these since I'll have to R/R them during the shock/strut install. I'm going to look into all bushings as well since they would be best to replace before alignment. Sounds like the just got a bit more costly .

So I'm assuming most end up upgrading to the sport bushings rather than the stock rubber? Just want to make sure this isn't going to be overkill for a street only car, but I definitely like the idea of "upgrading". Would the sport rubber make for a harsher ride or just tighter?

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[Bill Verburg]

Originally Posted by ninezeroone

Thanks Bill. I think I was reading through your thread last night. Good stuff.

How about shock mounts? I'm most concerned with these since I'll have to R/R them during the shock/strut install. I'm going to look into all bushings as well since they would be best to replace before alignment. Sounds like the just got a bit more costly .

So I'm assuming most end up upgrading to the sport bushings rather than the stock rubber? Just want to make sure this isn't going to be overkill for a street only car, but I definitely like the idea of "upgrading". Would the sport rubber make for a harsher ride or just tighter?

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Shock mounts are rarely n issue, look at them while it's apart but they don't deteriorate like the underbody stuff.

as to sport vs stock rubber it depends on what you like. The stock is fine and maybe gives a slightly cushier ride. The RS sport bushes just sharpen the handling. My personal opinion is that RS should have been the standard suspension., RS +the other sport bushes furthers the trend toward sharpening the handling, there is little to no degradation in ride until you start adding mono-balls usually on the toe arms

[ninezeroone]

Awesome. Thanks alot. Much appreciated.

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