abarthguy

First hint was the rear end chrashing down on mild dips and speed bumpes.

Second hint was tire shop noting oil running down right rear shock.

Last hint was discovery that she still wore her original Boge shocks after 130,000 miles.

Time for a change, so here comes a set of Bilstein HDs from evilbay. Ordered new bumpstops and shrouds from Pellican.

I looked thru the posts here as to how tough a job it would be. Have lots of tools and have no problem tearing down and building an old Alfa so how hard could it be ??
Off came the airbox and rear fan motor. Car up on jack stands ( now I question why I passed on that used Harbour Freight mid rise lift on Craigs List )
and the old ones are out. Transfer the Eibach springs using the same height adjustment on the new Bilsteins. Note the torn up bump stops on the old shocks...they have had a hard life !
Back in and torqued up. Or mostly torqued up. Not sure how to get a torque wrench on the 3 top nuts ??
Replace air box and fan. Clean up a few things and she is back on the road !

Have to say it was fun and made a big improvement on the cars ride. New Continental DWs last month also helped a bunch.

The first pic is before the shock swap and the last pic is after. It looks a little higher in the back after, so will adjust the spring perch a bit later.

Next, on to the front struts !!

Rocket Rob

Congrats. You will be happy with the way new shocks feel. I know I was. I replaced my original Boge shocks on my cab at about the same mileage.

As for how to torque the nuts? I did mine while the engine was out. Getting a torque wrench in then is easy.

jack.pe

Does doing this swap not affect the geometry though?

abarthguy

Anxious to do the fronts now. It should transform the handling and ride.

Have to find the spring collar adjusting wrench so I can drop the back a bit.
I think that the Bilsteins gas raises the chassis some.

A good thing that the PO put the Eibach springs on. From other posts here, the lower bolt is a bi#%&h to crack loose. Mine was a breeze to remove. It still had anti seize on the threads from the previous work.

I have a question for you. If you have the Eibach springs all around, are the upper and lower coils collapsed together when under load ?
In the pic of mine, you can see where the coils have a little rust from rubbing.
Only the middle coils are free to work.

abarthguy

Hey jack ! Love the color on your 964 ! Think that I've seen it somewhere ;^)

The rear change only affects the camber I believe. When the front is done then I will have to get the suspension alligned.

Rocket Rob

The springs shown are progressive springs. The tight coils provide a soft ride and the wider spaced coils provide a stiffer ride when the softer portion is already compressed.

When you are changing the fronts, be sure to inspect your tie rod ends and steering rack boots. They may be ready for replacement too due to age.

abarthguy

"The springs shown are progressive springs. The tight coils provide a soft ride and the wider spaced coils provide a stiffer ride when the softer portion is already compressed. "
This is what they should do.......
The pic is of the front end ellevated and the tire removed, so the coils are separated.
When the car is on its tires, the upper and lower coils are fully compressed.
I don't know if it is normal or if my springs are fatigued.

c didy

Are those brand new shocks you got on auction?

abarthguy

Yes !

From a private party in San Diego. $270 for the pair in thier boxes.
He only had one front or I would have bought the set from him.
Is shox.com still the best price for front struts ?

bw-porsche

Hi there. I would recommend putting new front shocks on as soon as possible! You will notice a big difference in the handling and it will feel planted on the road afterwards. I had the same problem with my 20 year old C4 when I went off the road (not badly thank god). But it was a big awakening. The before and after handling was much different after I had the wheel alignment done! Good luck and I'll keep an eye out for futher postings! Brian

jimq

I believe the shocks have the bump stops built in so you dont really need to use new ones.

abarthguy

Mostly, the new bumpstops hold the new shrouds up !!
Any thoughts on the front springs ?

abarthguy

Tooling up for the front shock change.........

Per a suggestion on another thread, bopped down to Harbor Freight and picked up their Oxygen Sensor socket for about 8 bucks. It fits the top 22mm nut on the strut and allows me to tighten the nut while holding the strut shaft.

Steering rack boots look in great shape. Drop link boots are torn. This showed up on the PPI, so I knew about it. Once the links are free I will see if they are worn and get replacements. If not, there is a thread here about replacment boots only.

Oh,yea, the struts !
Ordered the pair from Tire Rack. Same price as Shox.com but in stock and no sales tax.
The only hitch is that the right side came from Nevada in one day and I am waiting for the left side to come from their eastern warehouse. Bad weather could trip me up !

A big thanks to Rennlist and all of its helpfull members !!
I'm a newbie P-car owner and you have made this an easy and fun experience.
Randy

Rocket Rob

Here's the thread about the drop link boots = https://rennlist.com/forums/964-foru...bar-links.html

When you remove the struts, be sure to check the top mount bearings. One of mine was grumbly so I replaced both for good measure.

abarthguy

Good call on checking the top mount !
I've read here about checking for lateral play in the bearing as well as rubber break down.