FiveElements

My 89 car looks like a stagecoach. I need to lower her badly. I think it's because of the firm Koni shock that were upgraded in the car that it sits so high.

Does anyone have a strut adjustment tool that I can use over the weekend to drop the front end a bit? Please PM me and I will borrow and return to you asap.

Thanks in advanced.

Lizard928

I would not recommend lowering it below 160mm (bottom end of factory limit) on a stock/street 928.

As well, you will require a full wheel alignment on the car once this is done.

Bill Ball

I fully agree with Colin, especially if you want to take on any of the local twisties.. That said, I have the tool locally and can assist/advise.

How many fingers can you get between the tire and fender lip? This is a crude but simple way to see where you are approximately. Anything less than 3 fingers is probably close to the low end of the recommended range.

As Colin mentioned, lowering the car will change the alignment significantly. It will toe out and make camber more negative. I can reset the toe accurately after lowering to avoid rapid inside tire wear.

Car looks like a beauty, by the way.

Nicole

My car looked really cool when I got it. I did not immediately realize how much it had been lowered. But it handled terribly, bottomed-out all the time, and I was constantly worried about damaging something.

When I got the ride height adjusted, and a complete 4-wheel alignment, it suddenly handled well, rode a lot more comfortably and it is now relatively rare I scrape anything at the bottom of the car.

antlee928

Hi, I completely concur with Colin, Bill and Nicole. Our cars are very sensitive to ride height adjustments and alignments. The 928s have a fully adjustable suspension set up (camber, caster, toe and ride height). You must have the ride height set to within the factory range for great handling plus ride comfort. The second owner (I'm the 4th) had replaced the standard dampers with Koni Reds. I have since discovered that the numpty who did the job failed to attached the sleeves on the fron dampers so that the front height adjustment collars are sitting at their lowest height (I have measured around 145-150mm (too low). Results are twitchy steering feel, harsh front ride quality and the car has a tendency to push from apex out. Whilst the car may look more aggressive the ride quality and handling isn't what it should be. Make sure you get someone who understands how to set these cars up correctly otherwise you are in for a whole lot of pain.

Cheers

antlee928

BTW, I love the colour of the car. One of my favourites!!

James Bailey

the Koni not being a high pressure gas shock has NO effect on ride height the Bilstein which is high pressure gas over oil has a bit of spring.
Also realize that any change up or down and you must do an alignment plus if the adjustment collar is installed up side down ( it happens ) the car sits very high.

GlenL

You can get the tool for $10 or so at most ATV shops.

Perhaps you're aware but the front will take a while to settle after you lift the car. This makes setting the ride height tricky and a long exercise. You have to lift the car to get the wheel off and then adjust it. It'll sit high when back on the ground so you need to drive it to get it settled. Then see how it is and measure again.

Check for the real measurement points on the suspension. I've got some pieces of wood cut in lengths beteeen 135 and 170mm. This helps to measure more easily.

FiveElements

Right now, the car has about a 3" to 4 " gap between the fender and the tire. This photo is not even showing the gap size as I parked on a slop hoping to improve the stance of the car for this picture angle. It looks like a stage-coach to me. I think a 1.5 to 2" drop is in order here. I will realign the car after.

Nicole

Quite possible it is too high - it's crucial to make the right measurements and compare them to the Porsche specs.

BTW: Your signature says your car is Midnight Blue. However, the 928 pictured is Venetian Blue.

Dave928S

Here's pic of the museum GTS, which I presume would have factory ride height, and a pic of my GTS which I know has the lower limit of factory height.

Yours does look a bit high in comparison, but there's no substitute for ..... measure and align.

Nicole

... and I think the museum car is actually Midnight Blue.

Gary Knox

Nicole is correct - the museum car, which is referred to in the audio comments as "maybe the finest car Porsche ever made" is midnight blue (Nachtblau) with classic grey interior. A beauty indeed, and a might fine car as well - Ha.

Gary--

Evert Witman

I have read a dozen posts, and not one tells HOW to adjust camber...I appreciate the why, and if...but that is not pertinent to where the adjustment is made

Mrmerlin

Evert if your interested the alignment setting procedure is in the WSM

For the OP how many miles have you driven since the shocks have been installed?
Maybe the front end needs to settle,
did you torque the lower control arms after driving the car? and with the weight on the wheels