Jon1139

Hi All
,
New to the forum and 996 world. How many mile before I need a suspension overhaul? My car has just over a 100k. 5Kish of which were DE events

Thanks,
Jon

Prelude Guy

By 100k miles, technically all control arms/ball joints, both inner and outer tie rods, and shocks are in need of replacing.

Shocks are more prone to "wearing" due to age. The seals degrade over time, whether they are used or not.

It's up to you on what you decide to replace, but any parts you replace will improve the ride and handling.

JTT

Mine was around 70K miles when I started replacing bits proactively. I haven't had a single component of the suspension "need" (zero play) to be replaced, aside from the front bump stops, which were dry rotted. That said, it feels much tighter with new stuff in there. It may be placebo or that I've replaced several components with monoball and poly.

*Eastep*

"When" is subjective. I'd say that you'll know when to replace suspension parts.
Anecdotal: My struts went bad around 73k, after a couple weeks of wobbly boat driving, I replaced them.

JohnCK2014

I currently have 105K on my 4S. Other than replace some of the rubber boots, my suspension has not required any maintenance and is currently as far as I know in perfect working order. At some point, I would like to go to an adjustable suspension on it but that would be to upgrade the car not out of any need.

joseph mitro

you'll get different advice from different people.
I personally changed out all the suspension components with bushings at 120k miles on my 99 Boxster. Also new Bilstein B8 shocks and H&R sport springs.

OTOH, there's a member in the Boxster forum who repeatedly comments about going 317K miles on his original shocks on the advice of his Porsche techs.

808Bill

These cars are 15-20 years old. Every suspension component should be changed sooner than later. Just my .02!

Jon1139

Mine is starting to feel the same way. It doesn't feel planted when I take a twisty backroad. I guess it is time to start replacing them. Is the row m030 suspension upgrade worth it?

Idaho911

The general consensus is yes, but have you seen the prices lately? Nearly $4,000 these days.

*Eastep*

from what I'm reading, yes it's worthy upgrade. But at the currently high costs, I'd say get coilovers or any number of spring and strut combos instead. I personally found a set of rears from a car with 25k miles that was wrecked in the front, and a set of fronts that were used only a thousand miles, until the PO swapped to coils, on eBay. I was all in for around $550-600, including shipping.
I'll be using 30mm lowering springs in a few weeks.
GL

808Bill

I just installed a set of FEAL coil overs and it's a night and day improvement...Best bang for the buck$

JoeZV8

I acquired my 996 at 84k, and replaced all the arms/links/joints struts and springs by 89k. It didn't drive bad on the test drive or on the near 800mi drive home... but really was amazing once refreshed.

911Tobbe

I just finished installing a m030 kit on my 99 C4 that has gone 80k. The original dampers and springs felt pretty much like new to me, the top mounts however were starting to fail and the top bearings were full of dried grease and dirt.

I haven´t driven the car yet, still a bit of snow left, but I´m expecting at least a small improvement in handling since it was a m030 kit I installed, maybe not so much because of the old stuff beeing worn.

Nickshu

This. Age matters as much as mileage on rubber parts. Here's a photo of my suspension overhaul on my 2003 C2 (I have since sold this car to my Dad when I bought my 6-GT3, did this before turning it over to him). M030 kit plus all new arms. Not a bad job, on a lift it took me a full Saturday going slow.

Scott at Team Harco

Nice. Can you share the name of the vendor and brands of the components you purchased? Once I get my engine completed and running, I'll be looking in to this.