joeystanker

Due to a rattle in the back of the car my attention has recently turned to the suspension of my 1983 944.
I looked under the car and noticed oozing out of the left rear shock.


So I want to replace them and also any worn suspension pieces.
I've done a little research to make sure I am ready to start taking the car apart.
I'd like to get some feedback on the information I've collected.

1) Shocks: I'd like something of very good quality. It doesn't have to be for racing.
I like a smooth ride but i also like to take a corner fast from time to time.
Here are some that I've found:
Front: Koni (8641 1038Sport) Sport Shock for Porsche 944/924
Rear: Koni (26 1209Sport) Sport Shock for Porsche

2) Other suspension pieces: I plan on replacing any piece that rattles. I've read that when you replace a piece you want to replace it on both sides.

3) Grease: I have to use some grease? What kind should I use? There seems to be 500 types.

4) Torque on the nuts: I have a table from the workshop manual. I plan on following that

5) Safety: I plan on jacking the car up following this chart:

Should I jack up and jack stand the entire rear (or front) of the car on one side at a time?

6) Alignment: I plan to count the number of turns the tie-rod ends take to remove.
If pieces are different sizes I think I'll need that alignment laser rig from Wheeler Dealers.
Do any of you have a laser rig? Do you like it? Did it cost a million bucks?


SausageHacker just sent me some simple instructions for removing shocks:

Rear suspension is easy. I found the easiest way to remove the rear shocks is:
1) Jack up rear of car so both wheels are off the ground
2) Position jack under lower shock mount, and push it up just barely (so the weight of the wheel isn't on the shock).
3) Undo that bolt/nut, be careful toward the end because the shock can shoot upward from relief.
4) Undo top mount


The job seems to be to be one I can do and I'm excited to try.
What do you guys think?

Thanks,
Joey

TurnerJ

Replacing the rear shocks was my first project on my 944 and probably my first real car project ever. Super straight forward, I didn't have a problem. I put boge shocks on the back of my 951. They are a little too soft for me (but the 951 cars are a little heavier). I then put koni coilovers on all four corners of another 951 and that was ok but a little too "sharp" on bumps.

Bilsteins (very good quality while a little cheaper than koni) are on all four corners of my 84 944 (stock torsion bars and 200 lb weltmeister springs on front) and I love them! This is the route I want to go with all my future suspension jobs. Not harsh and sharp, but not mushy either.

thomasmryan

everyone goes by that chart but do a search. that particular car in the photo had collapsed front jack points.

yes, do the same for both sides with any repair or replacement.

no grease is required for installing shocks/dampers.

your instructions will tell you to do the final torque on the shocks with the mounts laden ie wheels on the ground.

Jason, at paragon, is the go to guy for koni but you can get them slightly cheaper by googling the part number. I like bilstein but they are only for the inserts with the factory threaded strut housings on the front.

jeffrsmith

I bought Koni Sports for my '44 from THmotorsports - they had the best price I could find and they ship quick.

joeystanker

Thanks for the input guys. Just great!
TurnerJ,
Do you have part numbers for the front and rear shocks and the springs you used?
I think your description of them is what I am looking for and I'd like to check them out.

Thanks,
Joey

Jason @ Paragon Products

If you're installing Koni's there's really only one choice for your year model. 8641-1038 Sport for the front and 26-1209 Sport for the rear.

http://www.paragon-products.com/Koni...-1038s-xdo.htm

http://www.paragon-products.com/Koni...i-26-1209s.htm

TurnerJ

I don't have them right now but I'll try to check by this weekend. However, you can probably find out by searching google for "early 944 bilsteins rennlist"

Jason @ Paragon Products

Sorry, I thought you were talking about Koni's....Bilsteins are:

Front: P30-0104 aka 34-001042
http://www.paragon-products.com/Bils...30-0104-do.htm

Rear: B36-0161 aka 24-001618
http://www.paragon-products.com/Bils...p/b36-0161.htm

Bilstein only offers Heavy Duty valving, not Sport, for this application.

TurnerJ

^ Yep, those are the ones!

joeystanker

Thanks Jason and TurnerJ!
I am so excited to dig in make the ride smooth as silk :-)

Joey