Bilsteins now Fitted!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
From: North Wales, UK
Bilsteins now Fitted!
Those of you that followed my earlier thread on the 'Bilstein Shocks' saga! back in February, I am now pleased to say they are fitted.
Long awaited but finally fitted. And yes it was worth the wait !!
For those interested I thought I would share my experience with you folks, so that if you are considering having your car’s geometry looked at in the future or any suspension related work for that matter, you may well want to consider Chris Franklin at Centergravity first. I have no affiliation with Chris and went to him based on the enquiries I had made and the recommendation of others.
I ordered all my components (Bilstein shocks, MO30 Springs and Powerflex bushes for the wishbones) through Chris, having booked my car in with him for the work. The replacement, installation and geometry set-up was all carried out at Centergravity by Chris with me to assist, which took a full two days. Those that know Chris, know that he is more than happy to allow his clients to get involved, if they want to that is. I was more than pleased and so turned up with overalls prepared for a suspension masterclass, from a guy whom is passionate about cars and meticulous to the point of perfection.
The shocks that were replaced were the originals, hence 15 years old, they were knackered! totally. Also the bushes in the lower wishbones had seen better days, although they are a b*tch to remove. Hard to tell with the springs, the likelihood is they had lost 30% or more of their stiffness! So without doubt it was a job well needed.
The car now feels taught and planted. The steering is really positive and responsive. Without stealing Chris's words.... 'the car feels like a new 964!' Any adjustment required in the future will be a dream as everything that had been removed or replaced has been meticulously cleaned and copper slipped, then the completed job wax-oiled...... beautiful.
The test drive was great and in the dark! as the time that day had marched on!. Chris drove first and as with his work, explained in detail and at every stage along the route exactly what and how he expected the car to handle, on differing road surfaces, differing road cambers, cornering, twisting, roundabouts, under breaking and so on ........ You guessed it, it passed. Then my go, great, would have been good to have done the circuit a few times, however time was clocking on and besides i had a 100+ mile drive back home., fantastic!!
I hand a fantastic couple of days and extremely pleased I had entrusted Chris to work on my 964 and all importantly I am absolutely chuffed to bits with the new lease of life, which Chris has brought to the cars dynamics.
e: info@centergravity.co.uk
w: http://www.centergravity.co.uk
Here’s a couple of pic’s
Long awaited but finally fitted. And yes it was worth the wait !!
For those interested I thought I would share my experience with you folks, so that if you are considering having your car’s geometry looked at in the future or any suspension related work for that matter, you may well want to consider Chris Franklin at Centergravity first. I have no affiliation with Chris and went to him based on the enquiries I had made and the recommendation of others.
I ordered all my components (Bilstein shocks, MO30 Springs and Powerflex bushes for the wishbones) through Chris, having booked my car in with him for the work. The replacement, installation and geometry set-up was all carried out at Centergravity by Chris with me to assist, which took a full two days. Those that know Chris, know that he is more than happy to allow his clients to get involved, if they want to that is. I was more than pleased and so turned up with overalls prepared for a suspension masterclass, from a guy whom is passionate about cars and meticulous to the point of perfection.
The shocks that were replaced were the originals, hence 15 years old, they were knackered! totally. Also the bushes in the lower wishbones had seen better days, although they are a b*tch to remove. Hard to tell with the springs, the likelihood is they had lost 30% or more of their stiffness! So without doubt it was a job well needed.
The car now feels taught and planted. The steering is really positive and responsive. Without stealing Chris's words.... 'the car feels like a new 964!' Any adjustment required in the future will be a dream as everything that had been removed or replaced has been meticulously cleaned and copper slipped, then the completed job wax-oiled...... beautiful.
The test drive was great and in the dark! as the time that day had marched on!. Chris drove first and as with his work, explained in detail and at every stage along the route exactly what and how he expected the car to handle, on differing road surfaces, differing road cambers, cornering, twisting, roundabouts, under breaking and so on ........ You guessed it, it passed. Then my go, great, would have been good to have done the circuit a few times, however time was clocking on and besides i had a 100+ mile drive back home., fantastic!!
I hand a fantastic couple of days and extremely pleased I had entrusted Chris to work on my 964 and all importantly I am absolutely chuffed to bits with the new lease of life, which Chris has brought to the cars dynamics.
e: info@centergravity.co.uk
w: http://www.centergravity.co.uk
Here’s a couple of pic’s
Last edited by polar964; Jan 25, 2010 at 03:40 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 393
Likes: 2
From: Cambridge UK
Paul, what a great story. I have been thnking about this for a while. It is hard to know what improvement you might get from updating bushes, dampers and geometry but you sound extremely happy with the results. Is your car running on standard springs and height or have you also lowered... Might have to give Chris at Centregravity a call .......
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 291
Likes: 0
From: North Wales, UK
Thanks for the replies guys.
Well worth giving Chris a call if you are requiring or considering having any suspension work or adjustment carried out, he has immense knowledge and skill in geometry setup and will set your car up to suit your type of driving, whether it be spirited road or track, check out his web site!
All that shiny underside is not engine oil, all the adjusting points and links have been cleaned, copper slipped to prevent seizing and then when all adjustment is complete, wax-oiled to prevent corrosion. Wax-oil is a trade name made by Hammerite and others. The wax-oil applied here was something called 'dinitrol' wax, you may well of heard of it ! Lots of people have it applied prior to the winter months!
Well worth giving Chris a call if you are requiring or considering having any suspension work or adjustment carried out, he has immense knowledge and skill in geometry setup and will set your car up to suit your type of driving, whether it be spirited road or track, check out his web site!
All that shiny underside is not engine oil, all the adjusting points and links have been cleaned, copper slipped to prevent seizing and then when all adjustment is complete, wax-oiled to prevent corrosion. Wax-oil is a trade name made by Hammerite and others. The wax-oil applied here was something called 'dinitrol' wax, you may well of heard of it ! Lots of people have it applied prior to the winter months!
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,596
Likes: 7
From: cheshire, uk
Wellcome to the bilstein club 
Mine had allmost the exact same work done a few months ago, iam still happy with mine.
How low did you go?
Mines about an inch from top of the tyre to the arch.
Ive thought about takin it down a bit more, but the sh#te roads have put me off the idea.
