Paul C 944

IM ABOUT TO CHANGE THE STRUTS ON 85.5.Is thier any wisdom from those who have done this? Any tips or things to avoid? I have the 22mm deep offset wrench. Ill rent spring compressors.I have the Koni inserts. These are the porsche rebuildable struts,im told.Let me know what you learned doing this.I saw ribs post .Thanks for the photos! <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" /> The koni picture direction leave something to be desired. <img src="graemlins/oops.gif" border="0" alt="[oops]" />

Skip

But of course... those struts come with much support :

<a href="http://www.tech-session.com/Paragon/Tech/944_spring_strut_replacement.htm" target="_blank">944 Strut Replacement - Tech-Session.com</a>

Good Luck!

ribs

I just replaced my stock shocks with the hack saw konis, and did the front coilovers to boot. Here is a link with step by step pictures for what the whole procedure is (I followed skips procedure):

<a href="http://forums.rennlist.com/scripts/rennforums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=15&t=004832" target="_blank">http://forums.rennlist.com/scripts/rennforums/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=15&t=0048 32</a>

whoops...didn't see that you already saw my post.

z851@yahoo.com

Hi Paul,

I just did this about 3 weeks ago. It was real easy. Compress the coil spring with a jack, then instal the spring compressor. Remove the assembly and drill a hole in the bottom of the shock cartridge to relieve the pressure. Hacksaw the strut cartridge and remove the strut. Insert the koni and tighten it in place with the bolt. Reassemble and then get your car aligned.

I did mine in about 3 hours. I also bought shock covers from Bushmaster and did some painting while I had everything apart.

Tomorrow I'm replacing the cam and balance shaft belts and pulleys. Wish me luck.

Skip

[quote]Originally posted by z851@yahoo.com:
<strong>Compress the coil spring with a jack, then instal the spring compressor.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Great tip, and it prompted me to look at our procedure which was actually written backwards. The jack should be used to compress the spring via the control arm (and a block of wood or rubber to protect the cast arm from gouging)... do not lower the control arms onto the jacks stands as was stated in the Tech-Session article [now corrected].

[quote]<strong>Remove the assembly and drill a hole in the bottom of the shock cartridge to relieve the pressure. Hacksaw the strut cartridge and remove the strut. Insert the koni and tighten it in place with the bolt. Reassemble and then get your car aligned.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Paul has an early car with the naturally rebuildable struts. Rather than drill and cut, he simply unscrews the top.

[quote]<strong>Tomorrow I'm replacing the cam and balance shaft belts and pulleys. Wish me luck.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Okay, Good Luck! [my favorite line ]

Paul C 944

Skip ,
as long as yur here,Do I need to fill the strut casing with atf or oil or anything? <img src="graemlins/burnout.gif" border="0" alt="[burnout]" />
Also do I need rubber bumpers on the strut? Are their some on the old ones I can use. Or do you just need them if you lower the car? <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />


Good luck on the timing belt! <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Paul C 944

I guess I just missed you ,Skip

Skip&lt; best quote I ve red in a while!
"But of course... those struts come with much support." <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />

Plase advise on the bottoming out bumpers and fluid in strut housing

Skip

[quote]Originally posted by Paul C 944:
<strong>Do I need to fill the strut casing with atf or oil or anything?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yup, ATF or Antifreeze will do (I prefer ATF because it seems to inhibit rust a bit more than Antifreeze). If you're real industrious, you can use actual shock oil (like used in motorcycles). About 2 tablespoons (or 2/3-3/4 the way up the strut casing once the insert is fully seated). For those interested, this improves the thermal stability of the shock when the car is subjected to high use. The heat from the brakes via the spindle is reduced, as well as the fluid surround creating a better sink for the shock if it heats up.

[quote]<strong>Also do I need rubber bumpers on the strut? Are their some on the old ones I can use. Or do you just need them if you lower the car?</strong><hr></blockquote>

You should really be using new ones, as I would assume the ones that are one there are similar to most I've seen. You can use new OE style bumps, or preferably - since you are running Konis now - the Koni bump rubber.

Good Luck!

Paul C 944

Skip I actually have some motorcycle fork oil Ill use . I still ride dirt(xr 200r Honda) and street(Honda Intercepter VFR 500)So is fork oil ok I ll be doing the job this Sat,once I get the bumpers.

Thanks Again. <img src="graemlins/beerchug.gif" border="0" alt="[cheers]" />
Cant wait to drive with konis!

Skip

Yup, fork oil - shock oil... potayto - potahto

I ride dirt and street also... great place for it here in the PacNW.

Skip