Shocks replacement

For classic Porsche 911 content

Moderators: hot66, impmad2000, Barry, Viv_Surby, Derek, Mike Usiskin

Post Reply
tanick
I luv DDK!
Posts: 813
Joined: Fri May 14, 2004 10:29 am
Location: Hertfordshire

Shocks replacement

Post by tanick »

My car has Boge shocks which are well past their best.

So, what do I go for, Bilsteins or Konis? I'm thinking Bilsteins in the Boge struts (I may paint them green :wink: ) and Bilsteins on the rear. Will I need to get the suspension re-aligned after fitting? Its only just been done :cry: . I won't be changing any of the torsion bar settings. The rears look obvious but can I change the fronts without mucking up the steering etc.
1972_911t
DDK forever
Posts: 688
Joined: Tue Aug 16, 2005 8:21 pm
Location: Yorkshire

Post by 1972_911t »

Changing the inserts shouldnt mess up alignment settings, Id go for bilsteins they have a better reputation and some people say konis are not what they used to be.

Steve
1972 911t RS Styled + G50 Converted
SAAB 9-3ss Aero
domtoni
DDK forever
Posts: 704
Joined: Sat Feb 26, 2005 2:38 pm
Location: kinver staffs

Post by domtoni »

I used Koni in my front struts, and Bilstein sports rear. Bilstein has a better warranty, and after years, Bilstein will honor their warranty. Koni was reluctant.

Best
Dom
domtoni
1969 911E
ER Polybronze bushings, turbo tie rod ends, and 21/26mm torsion bars
Glenn75S
DDK above all
Posts: 184
Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2006 9:27 pm
Location: East Preston, West Sussex.

Post by Glenn75S »

Nick

I have gone for the Bilstein Sport option all round from the original boge.

I have fitted the rears with the fronts hopefully going on in the next few weeks.

Their should be no problem with the suspension alignment, and I have been told (Gary 71) that the fronts can be changed without removing the strut fully, just by ondoing the top bolt, turning the lock and pulling the strut out.

The rears have performed really well with no complaints. Only issue I had was fitting the rears, I had to compresss the shock with rope to fit the lower mounting bolt, before assembling the top bushungs/bolt.
This was due to slight misalignment due to a very hard lower bushing.

I found the Bilstein website of use, and got mine from Pelican Parts.

http://www.bilstein.com/mistore/bindex. ... _id=100484

Most books I have read on the subject of Porsche shocks basically state that the original dampers on Porsches are of a high quality, so changing them for uprated items will have less effect that on standard production cars.
1975 Porsche 911S (SOLD)
1990 Porsche 964 Carrera 2 (Distant Memory)
2000 Audi TT 225
2007 Volvo V50 D5 SE Sport
2009 Hungarian Vizsla AWD
Ian Donkin
DDK rules my life!
Posts: 1306
Joined: Wed Sep 29, 2004 9:07 pm
Location: A Southern Northerner

Post by Ian Donkin »

I have Bilstein's at the back and Boge at the front and my car points wherever it wants to, usually with me at the wheel in no control whatsoever!

It's still good fun on the road though if not the best way to go about it. I got my Boge from GSF for literally buttons and the Bilstein's from Matthew at Type911.co.uk.

See if you can't blag a ride in a car already set up with what you are thinking of and make your mind up from there.
2006 RHD 997 Carrera (but DDK remains in my heart - also now no longer)
1972 LHD 2.4T with '73 2.4T CIS motor - gone to a new DDK home
1994 RHD 993 Carrera - gone!
1968 LHD 911L - was the Wife's but now in new hands :-(

#1252
Cliff
DDK Newbie
Posts: 5
Joined: Sun Jul 24, 2005 5:26 pm
Location: Lincoln

Post by Cliff »

My '72 911T has been fitted with new Boge shockers all round this month. I changed the rears no problem. The front inserts had previously been fitted with Bilsteins, so they needed to be stripped on the bench in order to fit a top block; the Bilsteins either did'nt use a block at the top or if they did they were not compatible with Boge inserts. The Boge shocks were about £50 a piece at the F and £70 at the R + VAT. My torsion bar settings differed considerably so I ended up having a geometry check all round. £Ouch!

The result is a revelation as the car now handles superbly (not like a boat any more!) and directional stability makes it seem like a different car.

At Silverstone Saturday if you want to experience the result.

Cliff
CTV283K
'72 911TE
'62 Riley 1.5
User avatar
23e Heure
I used to have a life, then came DDK
Posts: 3879
Joined: Thu Dec 09, 2004 3:14 pm
Location: London

Post by 23e Heure »

Nick,
I put Bilsteins on the back and stuck with replacement Boge on mine before the Sicily/Le Mans excursions...
Loving the new stiff rear, and wish I'd just stuck Bilsteins up front too.
james
James
'20 718 GT4
'87 R4 GTL Clan
'74 914/6 3.0 Texas GT (Sold)
'73 911 2.7 RS Replica LHD (Sold)
'72 911 2.4 E RHD (Sold)
tanick
I luv DDK!
Posts: 813
Joined: Fri May 14, 2004 10:29 am
Location: Hertfordshire

Post by tanick »

Well if I do it I'm going to do them all at the same time. Going to go for Bilsteins. Mittel motor seem to be the best price at the moment.

Do you need a special tool to get the front struts out?
Gary71
Nurse, I think I need some assistance
Posts: 10743
Joined: Wed Mar 31, 2004 1:27 pm
Location: Cheshire
Contact:

Post by Gary71 »

Hi Nick,

No special tools required for the front struts, just a helping pair of hands to hold the strut still whilst you tap the collar round on the top with a drift and a large hammer.

It's a straight forward job, and as Glenn mentioned you only need to undo the top nut, not take the whole strut off. Be carefull not to stretch the brake hoses, putting the steering on full lock give more clearance.

Found a couple of pic's not exactly quality, but give you the idea! :)

Image
Image
Regards
Last edited by Gary71 on Fri Jul 28, 2006 8:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
Vic Cohen
I luv DDK!
Posts: 898
Joined: Tue Mar 02, 2004 10:01 am
Location: London

Post by Vic Cohen »

Nick if u want a ride in fully Bilsteined S, standard type bushingafter abt 5000 miles use since fitting u know i am 'down the road'............do have fat rear anti roll bar , but then i am fat!
tanick
I luv DDK!
Posts: 813
Joined: Fri May 14, 2004 10:29 am
Location: Hertfordshire

Post by tanick »

Thanks for the offer Vic, we really must get together for that beer now my car's on the road. Bilsteins are the only option really but I wouln't mind a ride in your car 8)
Post Reply