hmm...by any chance did you square the upper strut or round it? My theory would be that squaring the strut would allow cracks along the edge of the squares, hence the 45 degree angle cracks. Definitely the track duty your car has gone through caused those cracks.

I looked at some struts from various parts distributors. Unfortunately I could only find sealed (non-serviceable) struts for 87 onward (including 951s). My car is equipped with sport suspension M456, featuring the serviceable struts with Sachs/Fitchell Sport shocks. It'd be a shame to lose the serviceability of my shocks and I'm not much of a hacksaw fan

 

Yep, it was rounded (the opening looked like a rounded square).

Yes, for all the the late cars struts you need to do the "hacksaw" conversion, they are sealed. Honestly it is not bad at all, once it is done it is not much different than what you had. Any future replacement of the cartridge is cake after that, simply undo the bottom allen bolt and pull the cartridge out and replace. Actually easier than messing with that gland nut and the special wrench (or pipe wrench).

 

ibkevin! I know you're out there! Pick up da phone!

 

Tifo--All that crap Andy said about "At the same time I'm using this thread as a huge want ad" is really just a desperation *read, marketing* gage I'm using to pounce at juust the right moment. The story unfolds as our poor, hapless little Stig struggles to complete his upgrade's geometry.....

Andy, Buddy, I just tuned into the thread, what's going on? A good used set of late Turobo towers you need? But this set only has new 250# non-lowering springs and the Koni's to rebuild them are going on order tomorrow. Whatever shall you do?

 

to be continued...

 

That's the first time I've heard anyone say that the conversion is not so bad. Brings a small tear to my one good eye...



Stig (sorry, Tifo), get the right struts - don't even consider the other option - it's a "hack" job. Hey, wait a min....

 

Yeah, I thought the conversion was damn near enjoyable. Minus the little kiss you get when ya' first pop her.

 

I may quote you on that one... "...damn near enjoyable."

The trick to getting a real good pop in the eye is to compress the strut fully against the ground, make sure your goggles are elsewhere, then drill, drill, drill. I love the smell of 14-year-old shock oil in the morning! BooYah!



[don't try this at home... well, just don't call me when you do]

 

Another problem with using turbo/late sealed strut with early n/a spindle is you have to machine the spindle and grind the flat faces of the spindle where it bolts to the strut. That part is thicker than the opening on the strut "opening". Its totally not worth it as I have only tried that one time with my very first 944 15 years ago. Use the 86 turbo strut and spindle instead of trying to mix an early offset car with 87+ stuff. By then, you will have an identical front suspension setup as the 86 turbo and a direct bolt in.

 

holy crap Koni conversions on 86 951s are expensive! This is obsurd!

 

That's it. I'm modding my NA struts. I will let you know my results.

 

Guess who has a set of turbo top adjustable koni fronts? Trade for something maybe?

 

LOL.

I've done the conversion to a few sets of struts, it's actually easy compared to some of the other porsche-related tasks I have done. I'd put it somewhere between replacing/greasing the CV Joints, and rebuilding late A-arms, on the difficulty scale.

The finished product looks great when done and functions as it should. What else can you ask for?

 

What are the condition of these? oh and BTW, I can't let these Forzas go in my car. But I REALLY REALLY would like to make some space in my garage by getting rid of 2 UNRIPPED seats (driver side power) that came from my car Legoland. If that is worthy for a trade

Frank PM me your phone number when you get the chance.