Camsti

I'm replacing my worn out factory koni struts, all i need is new koni yellows from paragon right? Do i have to do the conversion for the koni inserts?

schwank

What year is your car? Early cars can just swap the insert, late cars need to be 'converted'.

Camsti

Since the option sticker in the hatch is tore off , I dont exactly know what kind of struts these are. I think their the factory koni sports?

Camsti

Its a 1984 also

m73m95

84 is a screw top swap! Inserts and probably new springs wouldn't hurt while you have it apart.

Camsti

Yea i was just going to buy new koni yellows and #250lb springs from paragon. I have a question on removing the strut/spring , Ive read that i could just remove the center screw on top of the strut mount while the car is on the ground. Then jack it up and un bolt that side of the swaybar off the frame and just remove the assembly out from under the car. Is it that easy without a spring compressor?

m73m95

Pretty much. Getting it back together that way is harder. Its doable, just not as easy as putting it back together on the bench.

Harbor Freight sells a spring compressor that actually isn't to bad....and, of course, is stupid cheap.

Camsti

Hmm maybe i should just rent one from autozone and then just do what everyone is saying..Clamp it,Turn it a few turns on each side at a time. How do i know when to stop compressing the spring? And whats after that?

m73m95

You just compress it enough to make it loose in the strut... to take pressure off of the top nut, so the spring doesn't fly through the wall of your garage, and into the living room.

Its easy to figure out when you doing it. Self explanatory, and Clarks Garage should have a good write up. (Not trying to avoid answering your question... Its just easier to get it off of Clarks Garage, than to type it all out)

Camsti

Yea i knew its pretty straight forward i just want to make sure i do it safely because ive heard of stories of people getting hurt..like my highschool autoshop teacher told me that his friend accidently killed himself from a spring that hit him in the forhead.

ernie9468

Not 100% sure but early 944s came with Boge inserts,you can get them here www.pelicanparts.com or www.vertexauto.com. either you go with the #220 lb or you can stay with the original ride heigth & go with #200.You can also choose a spring which will lower the car by aproxx 1 1/2" front & lower the rear 3/4" by adjusting the camber plates.Was running fuch 16" with 205-55-16 front & 225 -50-16 rear & found out over the years that the combo mention above was the best for street & spirit driving, one more thing this set up won't break your piggy bank. Don't matter what you choose make sure to find a shop that can align your car properly.I always did remove my front strut myself but as far as installing the insert this is better left to a shop which are equipe to install them ,won't cost you a fortune & you'll save yourself some headhach and will be safer for you.Take care

Camsti

Well i dont really have money to take the insert to a shop, plus i wanna educate myself by doing it.

Camsti

So can anyone confirm that those are koni's?

Hollywood D

On early cars there is a way to swap the strut inserts without having to use spring compressors. Much safer. If you search for it you'll find a few threads on it.

krystar

all u need is a heavy friend