Hi all, I'm getting ready to buy an '84 944 from my neighbor and I've been doing some research on parts I'll need to replace/upgrade (clutch kit, timing belt, water pump, etc). The suspension is one area that could use some work, and the car is just going to be used for daily/spirited driving so I'd prefer to stick mostly to OEM+ type parts. I'm not going to be tracking the car so I don't want or need the headache of a full suspension overhaul.

With that in mind, what options do I have for the front struts? I've only been able to find strut inserts for sale online - no complete strut assemblies. Something like the Paragon SPEC 1 Koni Kit looks great, but it involves replacing the rear torsion bar which, again, seems a bit overkill for my needs.

 

Just buy the inserts, it’s a breeze to change them on the early cars and you have tons of options including the original Boge/Sachs to Koni, Bilstein and KYB.

Personally I would go with the Bilstein inserts on a street car.

 

Thanks! I didn't realize the different inserts were compatible with the factory housings - that's good to know. Would I need to add oil/grease to the housings? I saw one post on here that suggested filling 2/3 of the housing with ATF, but it seems like like there's no consensus on that.

I'm thinking I might do bushings, control arms, and ball joints too while I'm at it. Anything else I would want to consider checking?

 

No oil needed. That’s an old wives tale.

John

 

...for street use.

 

Actually, KONI states that 50ml of either 5 or 10 weight motorcycle fork oil be used when installing their inserts. I've got a write-up on this forum when I restored my 84's front suspension last year.

 

That is inconsistent as on the Koni inserts for the later cars any oil would just leak out and it would get very messy.

 

Just to clarify, I was just referring to the early cars.

 

The Bilstein's are "upside down" (internally), which means they get enough cooling from airflow over the shaft, and so don't need oil.

 

I figured, but my point is why would they specify oil for the inserts of the early struts when oil isn’t even an option for the inserts on the later struts. Pretty much the same struts and the same inserts.

 

I think I posted the following email during the front suspension rebuild but here it is:Patrick,

Thank you for choosing KONI shocks. The oil weight can be any shock or fork oil you have available or even some old SAE you have laying around the garage. The oil in the strut tube simply helps to dissipate some heat, and provides some corrosion resistance.





Mason O’Hara

Technical Sales Representative

KONI - an ITT company







1961A International Way Hebron, KY 41048

T (859) 488 0324 | F (859) 334 3340) |mason.ohara@itt.com | www.koni-na.com

 

Manufacturers changing specs and recs along the way is nothing new. If they say to do it, why not? Can't hurt.

Kudos to the OP for buying his neighbor's 944, taking on the refresh, and having the sense to knowledge up before diving in. Something about these cars is alluring... especially peeking out of a garage, or half-covered, out of view. My car shares a similar story. Guess it happens a lot!

 

Ground Control is another option for front coilovers.