mikemyers924s

My front passenger side damper is completely shot. I would really like to have the car driveable again as soon as I can(since I JUST finished a very drawn out clutch replacement), but I don't HAVE to get it running any time soon.
Koni will rebuild my front dampers, but their website says it will take 3-4 weeks and cost varies. Has anyone had their's rebuild lately, what did it cost?

The other option is to buy some new koni sport struts from Paragon at $266 for two.
So, does it make sense cost, time, and quality wise to rebuild the current struts, or should I just buy new?
Will I have to cannibalize my old strut housings for the new ones or are there bolt on options available? I should mention that this is for an '83 944 that is using 968 springs, not a 924S.

Thanks for your input!
Mike.

Gawernator

1983 944 would have the insert type strut housings, if I were you, just pop off that gland nut and insert your new Koni inserts! (1038-S) I have the same brand new and love them.

Arominus

You should just be able to unscrew the top of the strut and pop new inserts in. No mods required.

Chad T

Probably your best option. Rebuilding the konis you have will most likely cost more than that. I wouldn't rebuild just one of them either.

mikemyers924s

Ok awesome. I'm definitely leaning towards buying new. To be absolutely sure...the 1038-S is a completely standalone bolt on part, and doesn't require an old strut housing?
Also, of less importance but still something useful to know, can it be mated with a koni front coilover kit in the future?
Thanks Guys!!

mikemyers924s

Found these, certainly looks like they bolt right up. Can anyone confirm?
http://www.globalindustrial.com/searchResult?q=WBM48922

Gawernator

Um.. What? They are strut insert cartridges. They replace the old one in the housing. And how is it only $266?

thirdgenbird

I'm pretty sure that is a generic picture and you will receive inserts.

Do yourself a favor and order from paragon. They are great to work with.

Don't worry about swapping the inserts. It is an easy task. Feel free to text me a picture if you want to confirm your housings. Based off all the "late" updates on your 83 I want to make sure we steer you correctly.


That looks to be confusion with the coilover kit he is also eyeing. Konis will be about $300

mikemyers924s

Thanks Thirdgenbird! I will text you a picture of the housing.
I'm pretty ignorant in this area, I've never done any suspension work before.
First off, I was mistaken, they are $312, not $266. Still a pretty good deal.

Second, I just found the write up on clarks garage, and the install looks pretty straightforward. I should have looked there in the first place.
So, back to the original question, new or rebuild? Still leaning towards new inserts, can anyone talk me into a rebuild?

Gawernator

http://www.paragon-products.com/Koni...-1038s-xdo.htm

Buy them now, they're still on sale and even cheaper than when I got them.

For reference, it's not a "hard" job but I wouldn't call strut replacement easy either. It's been a slight PITA on both my 83 and 86

mikemyers924s

thanks guys! A few developments, I've decided to replace the springs as well since the 968 springs (installed by PO) are not actually compatible with the 944.

Paragon has a pretty good deal on a basic coilover set-up right now and I'm most likely going to go with that. However, the kit comes with "Hypercoil" springs, and I know a lot of people swear by weltmeister lowering springs.
Will the hypercoils be good enough, or should I try to go with welts instead? If so; 200s or 250s (I'm assuming 250s).

If I purchase this coilover setup and also two koni inserts will I have everything I need?
http://www.paragon-products.com/Coil...arhk-r-xdo.htm

I will also look into bilsteins. Thanks for the tip!

FRporscheman

I had koni yellows and weltmeister 250 lb/in lowering springs on my 968 (converted back to stock for now). I thought it was too harsh for the road, great on back roads, and a little too soft for the track.

J1NX3D

interesting. where did you find the springs, FRporscheman?

mikemyers924s

http://www.paragon-products.com/Welt...elt_sp-250.htm



FRporscheman, that's probably the perfect setup for me then since this car is driven almost entirely on back roads and at autocrosses, and doesn't have a track anywhere in the near future. Would you agree, or do you think 300# would be better for autocross?

J1NX3D

Thanks, i had seen those before but this concerned me as i have stock 968 front struts and I don't know the differences between the 2 strut types.

beside those, I had been looking at the H&R springs on Pelican but they don't show what spring rate they are, just that they're a 'lowering spring.' When I asked pelican for more info they couldn't help.

"I have checked the H&R website and there catalog on part #PEL-PP905854 they do not give the spring rate on the front springs .
Regards Kenny"

http://www.pelicanparts.com/More_Inf...0%281992-95%29

and this weltmeister one at paragon shows no spring either.
http://www.paragon-products.com/Welt...spring-set.htm