hi guys
i just installed my bilsteins/eibachs purchased from a fellow rennlister. i have to say im pretty happy with the set up so far..
few questions -- the height seems a little too low especially in the front. i bottomed out on an entry ramp where my stock setup would not. my stock set up measuring from the floor the the inside of the fender measured 26f/25r now with the new susp 24f/23r.is it easy to adjust the height ? can i do this myself ? stupid question but does the car have to be jacked up ? another question for those of you with the same setup---the front of the car when i push on the hood feels like the suspension is soft. it move bounces easily almost like my old setup ??? i thought the front would be much stiffer ??
thanks your comments would be appreciated...
v-tach
1986.5 928

 

you should have the same setup as mine and it is ajustable. the front springs are progressive and the first part is soft to help with the ride quality after that they are definitely stiffer than normal springs. on the other hand if the shocks are 2nd hand they may be worn out, but you will notice this most as a lack of rebound damping going over bumps or during braking/acceleration.

 

I have same set up and problem on my '85. Get a set of 4 spanners from Harbor Freight for about $10.00 IIRC. The largest one will do it. Turning left to right raises or extends the shock. With about 1-1/4" of threads showing you will be at max and hear a "crunch" on each further revolution as it is now sitting on top of the threads. Don't leave it there as it can damage the threads. Reverse/Retract (shorten) about three revs. My fender lip is about 26-3/4". Rears are also a little low.

I wasted a lot of time and effort trying to sort this out b/c there is no guidance from the seller on this; I like the ride, but for this aggravation alone I don't think I would recommend them. For a lousy 1/4 inche I don't like the idea that I may catch the a/c bracket b/c of this flaw. Some owners like it lowered, but other threads recommend against lowering the car as it diminishes the handling.

 

yes , it is definitely too low ! riding to work i had to be very careful... i could not even get up the driveway. i will have to raise it up a bit atleast an inch.
i hit something underthere 2x i dont want any problems with cracking any internal engine parts its not worth it.. i am very happy with the handling. i will keep you guys posted. to dr nick --- the suspension was hardly used...
thanks
v-tach

 

"With about 1-1/4" of threads showing you will be at max and hear a "crunch" on each further revolution as it is now sitting on top of the threads."

So do i understand correctly that you cannot reach the factory ride height before running out of threads on the shock body? I don't think i ran into that problem on my 86.5 when i installed the Bilstein Eibach combo last month. The car is at 175MM all the way around, the front looks a little high but it's still 5mm below factory height of 180MM. Height was checked at the factory ride height points on the suspension. Perhaps i should check those front adjusters and make sure i am not at the upper limit and gnashing against the threads? It seems strange that Bilstein would not provide enough threading on the shock body to achieve the correct ride height. I realize the Eibach springs are designed to lower the car, but by how much? Can anyone verify that the Bilstein/Eibach combo is too short for setting a factory correct ride height?

Ben Burris

86.5 Indischrot AT. #1459

 

There are two different perches...I had the wrong ones and my car sat too low and ran out of threads as well.

I changed to yellow ones (don't know if color means anything) and was able to set factory ride height.

 

i went up a little in all four corners approx 1 inch - seems to be better no bottom outs.
let you know what i really think when i take it to the track...
thanks for your help
v-tach
1986.5 rmb,chips,bilsteins/eibachs,5sp,s4 wheels

 

If you don't get a 4 wheel alignment really soon you'll be looking for a new set of tires.

 

as far as alignment goes-- the car tracks pretty straight now as it is..when we put in the springs and shocks it was a complete swap. the eibach springs were already on the bilsteins - all we did was pop them right in.. do i still need an alignment ???
thanks
v-tach

 

v - Anytime you change the ride height a proper 928 alignment should follow.

 

at what point would you do a wheel alignment ? should i drive it a few miles first ?
thanks
v-tach

 

Yes, drive it first. To settle the suspension. Otherwise your toe will be out and you'll eat tires quickly.

But do the alignment ASAP. And any time you change the ride height. Check this out, it's a great site.
http://members.rennlist.com/captearlg

RIDE HEIGHT FACTORY SPECS,
Page 72 of the little Porsche Spec Booklet, "Models, Dimensions, Tolerances," for 80-84 928's says:
FRONT 190mm -20mm
REAR 173mm +/- 10mm

When I got my car it was at:
LF 128mm RF 125mm
LR 124mm RR 119mm

FENDER LIP HEIGHT also measured vertically, thru the wheel caps. Came out to approx:
LF 63cm RF 63cm (24.75")
LR 57cm RR 55.8cm (22 3/8" & 22")


Many of y'all posted fender heights above in the thread. If you also have the actual heights to the suspension bosses, we might have enough data for a rough correlation.

I use a woodworking tool, a "sliding bevel," to get that measurement easily. The blade can be adjusted to touch the measuring boss while the handle is flat on the ground, then locked in place. You can then remove the tool and measure accurately and easily, in good light and an exact vertical. I hope the pic will make this explanation make sense.
http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx...&FamilyID=5301

 

That is what is what I'm saying. I'm not sure why this happened. Since it was mentioned elsewhere in this thread, I'm assuming it is an equipment flaw that needs addressing either by the vendor or by Eibach. I'm way past the 30 day limit so I hope 3 threads is enough of a bite, but that is what I have for a grip and I'm about 1/2" low. I think I can live with that but I think I wouldn't buy from that vendor again. When I questioned him about it he said "Sounds like your are low." I was hoping for a little more guidance on the issue, but didn't know enough til now to ask about the yellow perch.