Suspension issues on 90's 964
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Ireland
Suspension issues on 90's 964
Hi
Currently i have a 1990 964 C4, the car seems factory standard with the exception of 18 inch wheel upgrades (newer turbo wheels on the car when purchased, original cups also came with car). The car seems to be sitting very low in the rear, top of tire is more or less flush with rear arches, however the front wing seems to have about a 50mm gap between top of tire and wing, this makes the car look very high in the front.
i am just wondering is there any way of adjusting the suspension (without buying a new suspension kit etc) to allow me to raise the back slightly to prevent wheel rubbing rear arches and to lower the front so the car sits even? i would be grateful for any help on this matter.
Regards,
Nelius
Ireland
Currently i have a 1990 964 C4, the car seems factory standard with the exception of 18 inch wheel upgrades (newer turbo wheels on the car when purchased, original cups also came with car). The car seems to be sitting very low in the rear, top of tire is more or less flush with rear arches, however the front wing seems to have about a 50mm gap between top of tire and wing, this makes the car look very high in the front.
i am just wondering is there any way of adjusting the suspension (without buying a new suspension kit etc) to allow me to raise the back slightly to prevent wheel rubbing rear arches and to lower the front so the car sits even? i would be grateful for any help on this matter.
Regards,
Nelius
Ireland
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 621
Likes: 25
From: Norfolk, UK
Hi Nelius
You need to check the height at defined reference points, not at the arches. If you want the details, PM me with an email address and I will pass them to you on a Word doc - its too difficult to put it on here!
Regards
H
You need to check the height at defined reference points, not at the arches. If you want the details, PM me with an email address and I will pass them to you on a Word doc - its too difficult to put it on here!
Regards
H
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 255
Likes: 0
You'll find find a threaded adjuster on which the spring sits. Depending on the age/condition of the suspension, it could well be seized. Any movement of this will vary the height, but will also require the geometry to be checked/adjusted.
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,606
Likes: 1
From: Highland Park, IL
If the car is sitting as low as you've described, it's probably because the previous owner installed the wrong dampers on your car. The rear dampers made for later cars (produced from 11/90-on) are shorter. You can confirm by removing one of the rear wheels and determine if there is any remaining upward adjustment for the spring perches. If you're at the maximum height, you have the wrong parts.
The best solution, if you are already planning to have the car rebalanced and aligned, is to replace the rear shocks with parts made for your car's model year. That is, if the fronts are still relatively new. If not, you should probably replace the whole set.
Joe
Last edited by joey bagadonuts; Aug 24, 2009 at 12:08 PM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Ireland
Hi
i have just got around to the task of checkin my front damper adjustment, i was able to move the adjuster upwards, which should in theory lower the car, however on completing this excercise the car was no lower than before i carried out the adjustment. The actual difference or gap between top of tyre and lip of front arch is about 90mm. Is there any reason why the car would not lower after carrying out this adjustment and why could it be so high firstly?
Any info would be greatly appreciated!
Regards,
Nelius
Ireland
i have just got around to the task of checkin my front damper adjustment, i was able to move the adjuster upwards, which should in theory lower the car, however on completing this excercise the car was no lower than before i carried out the adjustment. The actual difference or gap between top of tyre and lip of front arch is about 90mm. Is there any reason why the car would not lower after carrying out this adjustment and why could it be so high firstly?
Any info would be greatly appreciated!
Regards,
Nelius
Ireland
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Ireland
Hi
i have just got around to the task of checkin my front damper adjustment, i was able to move the adjuster upwards, which should in theory lower the car, however on completing this excercise the car was no lower than before i carried out the adjustment. The actual difference or gap between top of tyre and lip of front arch is about 90mm. Is there any reason why the car would not lower after carrying out this adjustment and why could it be so high firstly?
Any info would be greatly appreciated!
Regards,
Nelius
Ireland
i have just got around to the task of checkin my front damper adjustment, i was able to move the adjuster upwards, which should in theory lower the car, however on completing this excercise the car was no lower than before i carried out the adjustment. The actual difference or gap between top of tyre and lip of front arch is about 90mm. Is there any reason why the car would not lower after carrying out this adjustment and why could it be so high firstly?
Any info would be greatly appreciated!
Regards,
Nelius
Ireland
Trending Topics
Rennlist Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 707
Likes: 52
From: Belgium
Nelius,
take height measurements as per Porsche ref points.
Determine the offset compared to std. heights.
From there onwards try to establish the need for adjustment front or rear.
Adjudtment perch down = lowering car
Adjustment perch up = lifting car
Once you like the ride height, you need to go for alignment!
Missing info:
- has the car lowering springs installed? This will influence final height / ref height to work to.
- recently new shocks installed? Are they the correct model?
take height measurements as per Porsche ref points.
Determine the offset compared to std. heights.
From there onwards try to establish the need for adjustment front or rear.
Adjudtment perch down = lowering car
Adjustment perch up = lifting car
Once you like the ride height, you need to go for alignment!
Missing info:
- has the car lowering springs installed? This will influence final height / ref height to work to.
- recently new shocks installed? Are they the correct model?
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Three Wheelin'
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,632
Likes: 2
From: Milton Keynes, UK
What you describe seems to me to be typical of a 964 with very tired suspension. I had the same problem when I got my car close on 6 years ago. The rear springs take a hammering on all 911s because of the massive weight on the rear. The result is that the springs gradually reduce in length and effectiveness resulting in the rear of the car sitting considerably lower than initially intended. The effect of this is also to make the front sit up higher because the weight balance is adversely affected.
No amount of adjustment will put it right I'm afraid - the only solution is to replace the springs. And it makes sense to replace the shock absorbers at the same time as they are almost certainly past their best as well - and the additional labour is negligible.
Regards
Dave
No amount of adjustment will put it right I'm afraid - the only solution is to replace the springs. And it makes sense to replace the shock absorbers at the same time as they are almost certainly past their best as well - and the additional labour is negligible.
Regards
Dave
