DDK - Die Deutschen Klassiker

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 ) and Bilsteins on the rear. Will I need to get the suspension re-aligned after fitting? Its only just been done . 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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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

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?

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!



Regards

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!

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