Tom R.

Original question was:
How are 89 NA shocks different from 88?

Trying to buy an inexpensive set of shocks for the 89 NA and there is no listing for 89. What changed?

New Question is:
Has anyone put the KYB inserts into sealed struts?

Techno Duck

Shocks in the rear are the same from '85.5 - 89. That includes the 944 Turbo, S2, S and n/a, 968...etc.

Probably an error in the listing.

caster951

I have a set of Koni yellows for the rear that are in good shape, pulled for coilovers. Pm me if you are looking for used.

Tom R.

my fronts are the ones leaking. i was looking to put in cheap kybs on all four corners but there is no listing for fronts on a 89 na at shox.com or the other sites. the car doesnt exist.

KuHL 951

I did the same search and found no inserts for the front either, just rears and front boots. I think KYB doesn't make a complete strut assembly for the non-threaded top struts on the 87+ cars. I've done front inserts on 2 cars with the threaded caps though so I know those are made. Probably have to stick with Boge or Sachs for your cheapest option.

Tom R.

would a kyb insert fit the later non threaded strut? what are the extra parts on the koni kit? the difference between $550 for koni inserts and about $160 a set of four KYBs is substantial for a station car. especially since any money spent on the NA means that much less to spend on the 951.

Tom R.

perhaps someone can check to see if the front strut part number is the same for the 88 and 89

aribop

The struts for '88 and '89 are the same. They are both sealed units. You either need to buy a complete strut assembly or use the Koni inserts and bolt them in per Paragon's instructions...or get a set ready to go from Paragon and send yours in as cores.

Tom R.

I was hoping to get one of these to fit.
http://replacement.autopartswarehous...Insert&dp=true

PeteL

The sealed struts on the later cars don't leave you many options for replacement beyond the Paragon suggested KONI inserts.

Tom R.

has anyone done a koni like cut on a sealed unit and inserted a kyb insert like this setup. what am I missing? open the strut either by screwing the top off or sawing the top off, insert new cartridge, put cap on top and insert back into car. oh i forgot, drill hole in bottom of strut for screw to attach cartridge to.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KYB-G...spagenameZWDVW

i think with shipping they are more $$ than the on line stores that offer free shipping.

Legoland951

The struts are the same for all years 87 and up along with all turbos except for the S. They are hacksaw insert or replace whole assembly only as far as I know.

KuHL 951

The KYB inserts I've put on did not have a tapped hole at the base to connect the strut housing to.

PorscheDoc

You can get a set of early strut housings with removable inserts and make them work (transfer heat shield mounts, etc), or do the koni conversion from paragon. That koni insert uses a threaded bolt a the bottom of the strut insert to hold it to the strut housing, which is why it stays in place.

I will say this though, if you buy kyb's now, you will be doing the job again in a year. You get what you pay for.

FSAEracer03

Anything is possible if you really want it. I have spare late strut cores already drilled, cut, and primered; ready for Koni inserts. I just sold my early KYB GR2 inserts, because they did NOT fit. The Koni insert bores are wide, well enough to slide into the strut cores. The early inserts are narrow and don't mate to the core wall.

Before I sold them and disbanded the idea, I thought of simply making some aluminum spacers, 2 per strut, that would align the inserts. Past that I was going to weld up a small steel ring at the top for sealing purposes. If you want to have KYB and have the time do do the project, you can certainly do this if you double check the strut effective lengths!

I'd personally like to see it done. If I didn't have the need to sell many parts, I would have liked to have done it just... well, because!


-Kevin