Skip

Curiously bad luck, I hope. What type (OE Koni or Aftermarket), what end (front or rear)? What failed? How many miles? What type of driving? Lowered?

Also, most of the Konis available for the 944 unfortunately cannot be rebuilt - front or rear. Some the upper-range struts and shocks can - such as 3012, 2812, 2817 and the late model M030 type (adjustable ride height).

Skip

KYB is far better than what brand specifically? Monroe, Bilstein, Koni?

Extruded bodies on shocks are typically only on very high performance units. Welding the ends and performing extrusion on the body for inner/outer fitment should in no way affect interior performance and survivability. Also, Koni (and Bilstein, Boge, Sachs, etc) all manufacture the external tubes nearly identically. The difference is on the inside. Things like Viton seals and wipers, high performance lubricants, passive and active valving, hardened pistons, and much more are standard on high performance shocks that are not only designed to outlast the competition, but also perform better under more sporting conditions. That said, KYB and Koni/Bilstein are not in the same playing field. One costs less.

KuHL 951

One was a rear on the 83 that came on the car. The shaft had a slight bend in it (probably from old impact hit) and was repalced with KYB's. The other was a rear on my 951 that was dead as a doornail when I bought it (the PO had them set on full hard to compensate for a slight wheel rub). I have no idea what went wrong on that one other than it had no compression or rebound resistance at all. I replaced both when better fitting wheels were bought. Don't get me wrong, I'm doing the front Koni conversion for the new car so I have no axe to grind about Koni. It's just the KYB's are a decent option for the early cars for street use and are priced very well.

Skip

Thanks for the reply. I always seek to understand the failures, though rare, and also provide others full disclosure.

Savvy. From my view, I would offer that I've seen far more failures with KYB than with OEM replacements from Boge/Sachs. Not a scientific method by any means, and this is not specifically associated to the 944 or even Porsche.

M758

Koni's...

If you just wanted nice, but cheap then KYB's. However you wanted more sporty than stock.... Therefore Koni's.

dede944

I went for bilstein and I love them...

Koni are ajustable but more expensive.
But to put koni on an 86 I think you need to modify the front strut...
am I right guys ?

Skip

86 951 + koni requires modification (cut and drill method). This is something anyone with a drill and hacksaw can do, but we also offer it as a service (core required). Koni 8641-1414S applies.

83-86 944 is standard replaceable inserts - no mods required. Koni 8641-1038S applies.

ClassJ

As far as shocks for muscle cars are concerned. KYB makes a nice 30-40 dollar shock. But they are generally uncomfortable, bouncy, and underdamped in most applications.

Bilsteins or Koni's are leaps and bounds ahead. But not everyone wants to blow 5-600 on shocks

kennycoulter

well i just ordered some monroe for my car, but read in this post that kyb's are 74/pair?!?!?!?!?! where do you find that deal? thats less than what i found monroes for.

"adds up to over $275 for a pair; the KYB's are $74/pair."

KuHL 951

Do a quick google, "KYB shock, 944 Porsche" Prices range from $35 to $40/each.

http://www.car-stuff.com/cs_auto/mmp...hock+Absorbers

ZPmadA

If your 86 has factory sealed Koni (m474 option), I highly recommend shipping them out to get rebuilt. Don't hack up rare struts. If you want inserts, buy blown boges for like $40 and cut those up.

944muscle

why doesnt he just go with the kyb's and get some 250 lb weltmiester springs or something to stiffen it up? It will still be far cheaper than buying the koni's and he would get that sportier feel for the car. Although, if hes got the m474 option, then is it worth getting rid of the oe sport package that came with the car? what do you think?

kennycoulter

so, i looked up on clark's garage, but they still have the wrie up as takign the strut assembly out of the car.
i am guessing that from this quote, the car can possibly stay on the ground, and possibly take a main bolt out to only take the shock out?

i picked up my monroe's yesterday, had already ordered them before i saw found this post, but if anyone has anythign really bad to say about them, i would liek to take them back and get kyb's. i am looking for just stock feeling, and last a decent while.

kennycoulter

also as a note, i ordered my monroe's through advance auto parts.
they have an online coupon you can print out at the moment that expires this month: $10 off an order of $50 or more.
i called them back up, gave them the kyb item number from the link that kuhl 951 posted, they are matching the price online which ends up being a couple cents cheaper than the monroes, but id assume also has a better spot in car enthusiasts' minds than monroe.
i will post the coupon link in a few:

http://img.ed4.net/citizensbank/2008...oupon_aap.html

kennycoulter

any tips on struts? take them out with housings still on the car?