944 S2 Suspension

[944tom]

Hello all

My 944 S2's suspension is feeling a little tired!!!

Its done 129,000 miles so it’s easy to see why!!!

I did a quick search and found a few on here have upgraded theirs.

My question is what are my options and prices and best places to buy them from (e.g. springs, shocks roll bars etc....).

Also, I plan to fit myself does anyone have any experience of fitting???

Thanks

Tom

[Thom]

For road use I'd recommend the single adjustable, non height adjustable Koni yellows coupled to 968 CS springs (blue dots).

You will need the thing that compresses the strings (when replacing the fronts) and a jack.

>> Edited by Thom on Sunday 20th March 20:35

[cyberface]

Thom said:

You will need the thing that compresses the strings (when replacing the fronts)

That'll be a spring compressor then?

Sorry mate, couldn't resist

[Thom]

Yes, was not sure of the term.

[interloper]

Befor you go upgrading your suspension, have you tackled the really important areas like the ball joints in the front wish bones and the the bushes (al round) ? These have a pretty drastic effect on the cars road behaviour. Another thing to check is the wheel alignment or geometry, 944's are completely adjustable therefor they can go completely out of adjustment, definatley worth checking!

If these are ok the Koni yellows (as previously mentioned are pretty good) also its worth looking at your anti roll bars. I've fitted an MO30 three way adjustable bar to the rear and its brill ! Tightened up the rear end no end !

[nonegreen]

interloper said:

Befor you go upgrading your suspension, have you tackled the really important areas like the ball joints in the front wish bones and the the bushes (al round) ? These have a pretty drastic effect on the cars road behaviour. Another thing to check is the wheel alignment or geometry, 944's are completely adjustable therefor they can go completely out of adjustment, definatley worth checking! If these are ok the Koni yellows (as previously mentioned are pretty good) also its worth looking at your anti roll bars. I've fitted an MO30 three way adjustable bar to the rear and its brill ! Tightened up the rear end no end !

Yeah I agree I replaced all the bushes on my 2nd 944 then had the main agent Stratstone sort out the geometry. After that it really was woooohoooo time for weeks. My S2 was definately the best handling car I have ever had. I even made marginally transgressional forrays into the land they call Brunstromisashitland and returned unscathed despite the rabid use of heliochoppers and attack cameras equipped with tree to tarmac laser guided leeks.

Then a few weeks later some tosser from Oldham rammed it up the arse outside B&Q the bastard. Squished his sierra and rote me orf.

[Bananaman]

Wheres the best(cheapest) place to get 'Koni yellows' & 968 Springs ???

[944tom]

Thanks for the advice.

I have just had a quote for Koni yellows and they were saying I need to use the original casings and put the new inserts onto the casings. Does that sound right????

They quoted £102.50 for rear shocks each and £85.50 for front each. Does that seem like a good price???

Thanks again

Tom

[Thom]

That sounds right except the price of the rears. I paid mine a bit less (£150 for the pair IIRC).
The inserts are what is commonly available ; complete struts are not as easy to get hold off since Porsche seem to have an exclusivity contract with Koni.
If you prefer a quick "plug and play" solution you can always buy complete front struts by Porsche (those from the M474 equipment).

>> Edited by Thom on Monday 21st March 13:37

[slim_boy_fat]

You can buy brand new M030 Koni's from the opc for about £60 per shock.

[Thom]

slim_boy_fat said:

You can buy brand new M030 Koni's from the opc for about £60 per shock.

Rear units I guess ?

[iguana]

Thom said:

slim_boy_fat said: You can buy brand new M030 Koni's from the opc for about £60 per shock. Rear units I guess ?

Mate just replaced complete MO30 on his 944t, hence I have his old MO30 on mine (nothing wrong with it & he was I think slightly mad to change) anyway the cost was way way way higher than that, something like £500 for fronts each & £150 for rears.

[944tom]

OK - This is getting a bit complicated now.

I just phoned the local OPC -
Rear - £96.83 + VAT (Inserts only) and
Front - £438.25 + VAT (Struts and inserts)

The Fella said the fronts you can only buy as a complete unit - hence the higher price.

I also got another quote for replacement S2 shocks from Berlyn -

Front - £128 + VAT
Rear - £43 + VAT

These were just for the inserts.

So a couple of questions : -

How hard is it to replace the inserts in shocks?

Should you match suspension front and rear like you do for tyres?

Thanks again..

[Buster44]

944tom said:

How hard is it to replace the inserts in shocks?

You might find this Paragon Products link useful:

www.tech-session.com/kb/index.php?page=index_v2&id=69&c=4

[Thom]

944tom said:

Front - £438.25 + VAT (Struts and inserts)

That must be for M030 Konis : double adjutable and height adjustable.
Did you specifically ask about the single adjustable (M474) ? They are less expensive than the M030's.

[944tom]

Buster44 said:

You might find this Paragon Products link useful:

Buster - Thanks for the link - Its look out of my league - sawing the shock - I know I'd make a mess of it!!!!!!

Thom said:

Did you specifically ask about the single adjustable (M474) ?

They said the M474 was up to 89 then the S2 was fitted with M030 suspension.


I may have to approach this in another way!!

(Phoning independents now......)

Thanks for all the advice.

[Thom]

944tom said:

They said the M474 was up to 89 then the S2 was fitted with M030 suspension.

Porsche rationalised the suspension equipments for the 1990 model-year which saw the M474 set up disappear, but M474 and M030 struts are swappable, which the PET professional browser at any OPC is most of the time unaware of (in my experience, at least).

>> Edited by Thom on Monday 21st March 17:09

[Buster44]

944tom said:

Buster44 said: You might find this Paragon Products link useful: Buster - Thanks for the link - Its look out of my league - sawing the shock - I know I'd make a mess of it!!!!!!

A local engineering firm would probably do it for pound notes??

[slim_boy_fat]

Thom said:

slim_boy_fat said: You can buy brand new M030 Koni's from the opc for about £60 per shock. Rear units I guess ?

Sorry yes thats for the rear units, i have just replaced them on my car. Price was £53+VAT each

[cuneus]

If you look at www.944turbo.org.uk there are some options under supension