I'm in real bad need of some new front shocks.. my front end is bouncing all over the place. My local supplier can't currently get hold of the pre 86 shocks.
From what I understand, the only difference between pre and post 86 is that the later ones were gas charged.
So, do the later shocks fit the earlier cars without modification?
I read that I have to swap the threaded sleeve over from my old shocks. Will I have to touch the adjuster? I'm sure it will be frozen, and you know the old saying; let sleeping dogs lie.

Thanks

Ben.

 

Ben,

contact Carl @ www.928motorsports.com
He will guide you in the right direction with Koni's or Bilstiens.
While you are in there you might want o swap out the springs too.

Good Luck
Rich

 

If you are considering changing the springs as well as the shocks you should look at doing all four wheels. Otherwise you could wind up with an imbalance due to different spring rates (worn rears, new fronts). We put in the Bilstein/Eibach combo a few years ago and have never regretted the cost or the effort. The difference is amazing.

 

I should have probably made it clearer, I wanted to stick with the Boges, but not sure if the post 86 fit the pre 86 cars.

 

You didn't have to make it clearer...it was. The Boge shock is a fantastic shock and better suited to the different modes of 928 usage than a Koni or Bilstein could ever be. Most that buy the Koni's and Bilstein's never use them well enough to exceed what a Boge offers. The early Boges are good from 78 up to 86.5. You can buy a direct replacement. Find a supplier that will get you what you need, not what you have to adapt. All Boges are gas. Best of luck!

 

there is an interesting general question here. when should you do just front or back shocks, as opposed to all four.

I just had mine done. it seemed alot worse in the front, but decided to do all of them. turns out I did the front first then a week later the rear.

after I did the front, the rear seemed worse (they were I guess relative to the front);

also the front take alot more time to do 4 or 5 hours maybe, whereby the rear where much easier, maybe an hour or two.

in american the shocks are around 125 or alittle more for the rears.

for that differential, seems that it makes sense to do them all

 

The rears were changed with stock boge about 10k miles/4 years ago by the PO, which makes me want to leave them alone. According to my records, the fronts have never been touched. I dont think the rears need doing again in such a short time. They physically look pretty good.
Any thoughts?

Ben.

 

I have an early '86. Gas Boges were a direct and dimension wise exact replacement. The WSM advises 10 mm more ride height when non-gas swapped for gas. This is within the tolerance range, but if your car had an EXACT alignment, it would have a slight effect. Be ready to get the adjuster rings and collars because they are nasty to get apart. If you are careful with various cutting, heating, and chiseling tools you may save them or, more likely, make one good pair out of 2.

 

I replaced the rear shocks on the Schwartz and it made the most dramatic difference in the handling of the car. The fronts needed to be done also, but are not as badly noticeable after the rears were replaced. On the Stepson, I replaced all the way around, and it is now rock solid, but IMHO if you are just doing two at a time, the rear shock replacement gives the most bang for the buck. YMMV