New shocks ?

[mycar]

Now the dust has settled and I'm putting some miles on my car, I'm starting to question the quality of the ride.

Very different to the 911 of course, the 356 is a bit more bouncy... in a jolly sort of way. Not unpleasant, just more 'animated' and I'm wondering whether this how things should be or whether it should be a bit more focused ?

I realise it's difficult to judge the ride of my car by reading about it but any guidance would be appreciated.

[roy mawbey]

Mike,

So the engine is now perfect??? Hope so. The ride should not be bouncy. In fact the 356 rides the bumps so well and even better at speed. Its one of the best cars around for its age in being stable.

But... leave a car idle for a long time or jacked up for a long time and as I found out once it ended up as bouncy on the front as hell. Bought new front shocks and the result was perfect.

I also bought a few years ago bought some new Koni's for the rear as they were available in a Koni sale.

Truly Mike it should not bounce at all. Its possible one of your absorbers has siezed up inside. Or sticking? It an funny feeling indeed to drive a bouncy 356. It really made me wonder what it was.

Roy

[mycar]

Evening Roy, the engine does seem to be perfect.

I sent the carbs back a couple of weeks ago, they leaked a bit of fuel. Everybody seems to agree that Zeniths do that but that seems like admitting defeat. They came back yesterday and I was out in the car last night. The engine is strong and becoming stronger as it sorts itself out. I''m very pleased.

Your comments about ride quality confirm my thoughts and as you say, if leaving the car idle for any length of time has a detrimental effect on the shocks, then mine probably do need to be changed.

I had a look through the workshop manual and it says, "Jack the car up, undo the nuts, remove the shock absorber." Is it really that straight forward on a 356 ? Is there not a tension in the suspension that need to be relieved ?

[Bruce M]

Changed the grease in the front end lately?

[mycar]

When you say changed Bruce, do you mean removed the old grease and replaced it with new grease or done a regular lubrication service over the last 6 years as per the manual ?

I have been thorough with the grease gun at regular intervals.

Edit to say... to be fair this car has sat around unused for some considerable time. For quite a while sitting on its tyres, then most of the last year up on a 2 post lift. As part of recommissioning the car ready for the engine I payed particular attention to the lubrication chart and feel reasonably happy (till you mentioned it. ) that all was well. Do you think there's a chance the old grease has solidified and gummed things up ?

[Bruce M]

I'd (personally) look to flush through a change of grease every year or two (keep pumping until the fresh stuff appears). Might take 2 tubes. If it's been laid up for a while it might be worth stripping the arms so the needle bearings can be flushed clean.

However, I'd also suggest you check with a 356 expert instead of listening to me

[roy mawbey]

Mike,

Pleased the engine is fine, its true to get those 32 NDIX carbs leak free takes time and effort. Once dry leave well alone if possible. The removal of the front shocks is simple as the book says. If your car was not bouncy when Haley last drove it and if those shocks were fully extended for some months on the 2 post lift then suspect this even more than the needle bearings in my opinion.

You could take each shock off the car and depress it and see how it feels maybe the seals dried out.
I did try mine that way but I could not conclude anything really wrong with them. I can say 26 years ago because I just checked my work book the front had been up in the air wheels off the ground for some weeks.

If they are Koni's I believe they offer a rebuild service. I put a pair of adjustable SPAX versions on the front of car and they are adjustable and have worked really well. Koni's are as I mentioned on the back.

I will never forget the bouncing effect though really odd.

Roy

Roy

[mycar]

So, after giving my front end a good greasing, I replaced the front shocks a couple of weeks ago. They didn't pop straight on, there was a bit of tension in the front suspension but nothing a bit of puffing and blowing couldn't sort out.

The difference was remarkable, much less bouncing around, like a slim girl again after you've just got used to fat girls.

Then I read that it's the rear shocks that get the hammer and replacing those would show real improvements so I sold my old 911 manuals and bought a pair of rear shocks and now the car drives marvelously and we're slim girl all the way.

Shocks sorted, I'll be considering the front brakes next and why they don't seem to have any effect on the speed of the vehicle.

[Ashley James]

Shocks make a hell of a difference, the nearside ones go long before the offside too, which really screws the handling. They don't last as long as you'd think either.

[Burma-Shave]

Excellent job. My 356 definitely doesnt bounce. It is dawning on me that my SC may need shocks rather urgently though..and that its handling foibles may not be all Targa related.

[mycar]

Maybe have them rebuilt Johnny ? Means a bit of downtime with the car but you've got enough to keep you interested whilst you wait.

[Burma-Shave]

I think the rears are newish aftermarket things (plain white unbranded) and I think the script for the fronts is replace inserts with the correct flava, which in my case is Bilstein green. But I digress, and will take this to the IB boys..
But yes, much else to do!

[hot66]

You won't go wrong with some Bilstein sports on the rear of the sc and the Bilstein green hds up front

[Ashley James]

Konis were OE and they've been the best since the fifties. For many years they were on every F1 car.

[sjm]

Paul (@PRS) fitted Konis to my A a few years back - made a huge difference, very big improvement