SolReaver

Hey Folks! My recently aquired 84 928S rides like a shopping cart. It was in storage for a while and I am thinking that the rear shocks are gone. They appear to be the original BOGE shocks. I was wondering if anyone out there had an opinion as to what kind of shocks I should replace them with. I am more into ride than handling and the streets around here are kinda bumpy.

My REAL concern is that while I was sizing up the job I noticed that the shock towers appear to be mismatched. The passenger side is definitely bigger than the driver side. The spring on the driver side has a blue (maybe green) mark and the larger spring on the passenger side has a yellow mark. I checked the manual and it says to never, ever mismatch springs. What the hec is with that? OK, next question...IF I want a comfortable ride...which one do I replace? Can I switch left to right? Should I just replace in pairs? FYI, I am no longer driving the car....Such words underlined in a factory manual make me nervous.

Lizard928

I do agree with mismatching springs left to right is a bad idea.

If you want more of a ride replace the factory shocks with new Boges.
Also find or buy a new pair of springs,

I would recommend doing all 4.

SolReaver

Yea, I was thinking the same thing....I also heard adjustable Konis are nice...but that I would have to use a tool or cut a hole somewhere. The fronts feel "OK" but, it seems I will be taking some time on this car...It also needs refresh, TB, TT, and some little stuff. I want to go through it as best as I can rather than piece it along.

It is not just a question of replacing the spring(s). The TOWERS are different.

Anyone with a good set of springs...PM ME!!!
(84 928S U.S.)

Lizard928

Sol,

You are saying the upper pieces are different?
Grab a picture as I am not aware of any real changes to those parts and fronts and rears are non interchangeable.

As to the Koni's, if you want a smoother ride, dont bother and stay with the Boges, and if you are going in there put new ones in, used are not worth using.

However if you are unable to find something locally I can get the upper tower pieces locally without any problems.

SolReaver

Lizard: No, The passenger and Driver side rear springs (and receivers) seem to have been mismatched. The upper pieces are the same (I think) the lower receivers are different sizes for the different diameter springs. (I think) Sorry for the confusion. I will measure it in the morning. One side sure looked bigger. OK assuming I am right, I guess I could make do with the current towers if I changed one of the springs (and the matching receiver). Assuming I am wrong, I would need one or a set of springs. Either way they are coming out to do the shocks, which are pretty much gone (unless it was the mismatched springs that made it ride like a shopping cart)

Which spring should I replace? Should I replace the pair? I will have pics in the am. It is late and I am beat.

Lizard928

Replace the springs in a pair, either used or new. If used off the same car so that their rate of aging will be the same to keep them balanced.
The shopping cart ride will be most likely the shocks, but replacing the springs is a good idea too.

Mrmerlin

if your thinking about Konis I would instead install some Bilstiens, every Bil install I have done has left the owners with big smiles.
I think the Boges are too soft, . its your car.
You should also post pictures of all 4 corners with the shocks/springs included so others can see whats going on.

SolReaver

Hey MMerlin and Liz:

I took pics as best I can in a dark garage with a cheap camera. As I suspected...Some monkey has done a bad thing and put in a wrong part. I can only speculate that the driver side was replaced with a heavier tower because that spring is cleaner and newer looking. The front shocks and towers are unremarkable.

I again checked the manual and it says that spring colors should not be mixed...I am pretty sure spring sizes should not be either. The passenger spring is definitely larger and beefier than the driver side and the receivers on the top and bottom are larger to accept the springs. My guess is that the tower was replaced as a unit. I think I will need a new tower of the correct size but I am leaning towards replacing a pair.

Bilsteins huh?, well, I guess they are OK. Can they be rebuilt? My brother has a line on a set of used Bilsteins, Off of 85 euro S but I would want em rebuilt if possible.

Just so you guys know what you are looking at...The first two pictures are of the passenger side. You can see that the coil color code is yellow, the spring is 5 1/2 inches or better in diameter and spring and the receiver cup is nice and shiny. The second two pics are of the Driver side. the coil diameter is about 4 and 1/2", the receiver cup is black and the coil is older looking with a blue color code. Those of you with particularly sharp eyes will notice that the lower bolt holding in the link on the P side is a 13mm, whereas, the same bolt on the D side is a 17mm. A further indication of the pass unit being replaced.

Mrmerlin

Since your in TX call Roger he may have a used set of springs and mounts for the rear .
If you get new Bils they come with the lower spring mount and the threaded collar for height adjustment. Bils can be rebuilt, I would put them on as is I dont recall seeing Bils that are very worn

James Bailey

Some one sometime swapped in one early rear spring and one late one....probably the result of an accident and bent lower control arm ..... "curb dancing" . You can use either early or late but both should be the same. It is not really dangerous as is and no reason not to drive the car. Best to check alignment.