Porsche 993 suspension rebuild

[roygarth]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Yes I've often questioned this view. It would be good to get a definitive scientific view on this. Where's Professor Pat Pending when you need him?!

[g7jhp]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

It's more down to the ability to flex. If the rubber isn't (for a better word) 'exercised' it won't be able to flex if it deteriorates in the same position. At least if it moves it wears down in that way.

[ras62]

I thought the original rear shocks were the same setup as the 964 with height adjustment but they're a fixed platform except for the RS so this Koni is a direct replacement. Corner weights are altered by using the front shock heights.

[200Plus Club]

I'll probably replace the shocks on my 993 S next year. What are the closest replacement to o.e? I dont want it any lower or firmer its fine as is. I don't want or need 2 or 3 way adjustable either. Obviously o.e will be megabucks from Porsche i assume but can you get them elsewhere? My springs are fine as they are but obviously may be a little tired but its only done 72k from new.

[Wozy68]

200Plus Club said:

I'll probably replace the shocks on my 993 S next year. What are the closest replacement to o.e? I dont want it any lower or firmer its fine as is. I don't want or need 2 or 3 way adjustable either. Obviously o.e will be megabucks from Porsche i assume but can you get them elsewhere? My springs are fine as they are but obviously may be a little tired but its only done 72k from new.

This is how I started Remember top mounts may as well as be replaced whilst your there. You'll def need new bump stops etc etc as they will have rotted away but they are at least cheap. I'd chaged the springs as well. Your 911 has been sat on them for twenty years.

Koni FSDs seem to be the damper of fashion at the moment. They are supposed to get firmer the faster you drive, compliant when tootling along. I'm not so sure they get that much firmer at speed though, and they are supposed to be a modern upgrade from Monroes.

You can still buy Monroes with M033 lowering springs from OPC as a kit (I believe this is what yours came with as standard). It actually works out only slightly more expensive if you push them for a better price. FYI When I first looked into this, OPC quoted £2350.00 for new dampers, new springs, new top mounts, installation and GEO. Pretty much a bargain considering normal OPC hourly rates.

Edited by Wozy68 on Saturday 29th August 12:56

[avaF1]

decals on a 993....................show us more

[Orangecurry]

Brilliant thread, very useful, exactly what PH should be about.... thanks!

One question I have - how did you know which rear suspension components/arms/struts needed replacing, or did you decide to replace them all anyway to be on the same side?

My understanding was that the 989 multi-link system is over-engineered for the 993 and wear is rare?

[Wozy68]

Orangecurry said:

Brilliant thread, very useful, exactly what PH should be about.... thanks!

One question I have - how did you know which rear suspension components/arms/struts needed replacing, or did you decide to replace them all anyway to be on the same side?

My understanding was that the 989 multi-link system is over-engineered for the 993 and wear is rare?

When she went in for a service at Swindon in April 2014 they pointed out that basically my suspension (front and back) were pretty worn, especially the rear suspension rear upper and rear suspension rear lower control arms. Also the front damper top mounts were shot.

I'd already purchased the dampers, springs top mount etc so got these installed by a local Indy. They checked the rest of the suspension over and ended up replacing all the ARB bushes and drop links as well. They thought at that time that the front wishbones were 'ok' as well as the rear suspension; worn but not yet end of life. This was all installed end of June 2014.

The following month I went on my yearly jaunt to the Pyrenees with the lads and this really pushes the brakes and suspension. Some very fast driving, fast corners, sharp haipins, heavy braking etc etc, its punishing on any car. To be honest I came away from that trip feeling slightly deflated, the car just seemed to be wallowing and felt very soft all round.

I came to the conclusion that replacing top mounts, drop links dampers etc just showed up the age of the rest of the suspension. Any way when Tewkesbury serviced her earlier this year they also pointed out the wear especially (5000 miles later) the front wishbones and movement in the rear. So I bit the bullet and decided to replace the suspension parts that was worn.

It must be remembered that my 993 up till the new dampers were installed at 125K miles had never had anything replaced other than a wishbone offside balljoint. So everything had covered 125K plus miles. The owner before me owned the car for 14 years and basically only used to drive down the M6 from Kendal to Lancaster and back three to five times a week. At 75 (seriously) she decided it was time to get herself something easier to get in and out of. So the suspension had had a pretty easy life for at least fourteen years previous to me acquiring her.

When the suspension was removed, the front wishbone bushes were def end of life, the wishbone balljoint on one side had movement, the trackrod ends were worn out with lots and lots of play in the balls joints.
The rear control upper rears were worn and so the lower rears (both more so bizarrly on the nearside). So where should I stop? 80% was being replaced, so I came to the conclusion I may as well replace the lot.

The only part of the rear suspension that really wasnt that worn were the rear 'A' frames. However there still was a measure of excess play. One of the rear upper front control arms was in a pretty bad state and had to be cut off, other than that it all came apart pretty easily.

I've been out in her this morning covering around 100 miles. On A and Bumpy B roads the car is tranformed. One of the most amazing things is just how quick you now go without realising it. She just takes it all in her stride.

You can well imagine the revelation back late 1993 of the then new 993 with its completely new tricked up suspension and its abilities on the roads with its more modern feeling suspension compared to earlier 911s. That's not knocking earlier 911s by the way

Edited by Wozy68 on Saturday 29th August 12:48

[Orangecurry]

I keep forgetting that your car has done 125k miles - I guess that is the *rare* aspect i.e. a rear suspension that's actually done some miles, and not a 60k garage queen.

[Wozy68]

Orangecurry said:

I keep forgetting that your car has done 125k miles - I guess that is the *rare* aspect i.e. a rear suspension that's actually done some miles, and not a 60k garage queen.

Bought to be driven ... hence I intentionally went for the over 100K mileage spec.

I didn't want any of that 'oh st' she's done 99999 miles and tomorrow she will be worthless stress.

[Orangecurry]

I have the opposite problem - mine handles exactly the way I want it to, but sooner or later I'm going to have to renew something, and I'm afraid it will change (for the worse).

I've already got some 2nd-hand front a-frames/wishbones, but have yet to decide what bushes to put in them.

[Wozy68]

Orangecurry said:

I have the opposite problem - mine handles exactly the way I want it to, but sooner or later I'm going to have to renew something, and I'm afraid it will change (for the worse).

I've already got some 2nd-hand front a-frames/wishbones, but have yet to decide what bushes to put in them.

That was the worry for me. When I bought her she handled better than I expected. It was when it came to replacing something because its worn (front top mounts) that it was a slippery slope.

I also thought long and hard ref wishbone bushes. In the end I just figured that Porsche spent a heck of time engineering the spec the car came with so why change.

I sometimes think the (replacement) setup a little soft, then I drive the super smooth road quality of our B roads (Yeah right) and then I think nope I did the right thing.

If I could play in Spain more often, I think maybe at least adjustable M030 ARBs plus maybe M030 springs (or similar). But as I don't I do think the standard setup is pretty good.

Oh dear, all those sleepless nights you have to come.

[johnycarrera]

As someone else said: proper old school PH thread!
I'm now on my second suspension refresh with an H&R club sport package, eats top mounts etc but handles amazingly ....
Already had the LWF and clutch which was worn out, eyes watered when I had to replace it there a couple of months ago at £2700 from SACHS parts only for a hybrid RS clutch with GT3 plate..... Fortunately managed to source the plate for 200 odd quid which saved a fortune!

All these mods are worth it for our enjoyment but it's an expensive hobby for those of us who ain't minted