sharkster

hey fellas this one is of interest to those of you with Bilstein Coilover kits on your 997TT... Over the last year or so we've talked to many shops and all of them have seen failures with the provided bilstein drop links. We've been installing similar kits on other AWD cars for over 6 years without one single failure but some point last year Bilstein decided to change the design of their drop links (perhaps due to cost?) and they are now a weak point. The plastic insert eventually pops out and comes apart.

The come apart like so:



You can see Bilstein's older design as used on PSS9 kits from the past. Notice the end itself is a different design and much akin to OEM. With those we never had problems (ever). Funnily enough the PSS10 kits have now also reverted back to the old design again (thankfully).

Here's a picture showing the drop link design of "old" (that used to work and looks like OEM as well) vs the "new" which just isn't up to snuff:


Either way we brought this to RSS' attention (as they had also seen failures like this) and they've made a stronger (and adjustable for those sway bar kits) replacement kit. This kit is now available and I'd suggest checking your front drop links out.

Here's what the folks at RSS made for us (cheers lads):


Here's the orientation of them in case you are wondering (from bilstein's instructions):


For those of you with "noise" in the front area of your suspension go ahead and check to see if the drop links have failed. There's always hope that Bilstein will revert back to the older/OEM-style design that they used to use which never failed (indeed they did this on the PSS10 after enough complaints) but until then here's what you might end up needing:
http://www.sharkwerks.com/products.php?pid=244

raclaims

Like many others...mine were installed improperly and have since been re-done...

Shouldn't they be ok now?

sharkster

Hey reclaims I would check the ball ends of your links just to see what style they are. If they're plastic there's a food chance they could be on the way out

raclaims

They are definitely plastic...

sharkster

Take a peak in there and see how they're holding up...

raclaims

Will do...just what I need...more time with the car in the shop!

sparkhill

It is probably obvious, but if you don't a lift, you can just stick a digital camera behind the wheel to visually check your drop links.

Alex (UK)

So frustrating Alex that I still can't see any pics you post!!!

These are what my Bilstein drop links look like. Can you please tell me if these are the good or the bad ones?




<click on thumbnails to enlarge>

sharkster

Hey Alex, bummer that you can't see the pix Hmm... have you tried from another PC?

I can see yours and they do look like the plastic-style old ones Looks like you have upgraded sways too...

Alex (UK)

Hey Alex

Yeh, it isn't my PC as I have 3 of them round me right now, and none of them work. Plus my iPhone can't see them either. I guess your image servers are blocking based on my UK IP. I can see most of the pics on your website though.

Anyway, bad news about my decrepit drop-links though. Will get onto my Bilstein fitter and see what he suggests. And yes, they are GMG sways.

Alex (UK)

From the GMG site in describing my sways:

So I guess if my Bilstein front drop-links die (rear ones are still stock) then I can just put the original Porsche ones back in...

sharkster

Understood So weird that your IP is blocking them... I guess it could be called car "****" but still? See what sort of shape they're in...

Unfortunately the factory ones won't work.. the ends will and you could custom make some like that;(

TTJunkie

You can call Bilstein and get authorization for replacement. Bilstein will pay for the parts and labor.

TTJunkie

Also: You can see images once you log in. You'll just see a red x if you navigated to the page from a search engine.

Alex (UK)

Adjustable ones are apparently a nightmare from shaking loose after a few thousand miles of bumpy road driving (like we have here in the UK). So I would never fit anything other than Bilstein, stock Turbo or GT3 spec drop links myself.