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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Rear shock replacement questions

Posted by: ammason Apr 3 2005, 11:30 PM

Hey all,

Just spent the weekend driving my new 73 down from CAMP to SF. I've noticed tht one of the rear shocks is gone and has started intorducing a pretty nasty body roll over bumps. It will not be driven until it's fixed, but I wanted to toss the symptoms your way and see if my diagnosis is correct. I can push down the left-rear quarter and it's much softer/springier than the other side. It's also riding a good 1/2"-3/4" lower. The shocks are aftermarket Koni Oranges and my inclination is to replace the one shock that's bad. Does that sound right? Are shocks something I should replace in pairs? is there anything else I should be looking for?

Thanks!

Aaron

Posted by: Korijo Apr 3 2005, 11:40 PM

ask craig the history of them. if new enuff, replace the bad one.

old, get 2.

better yet, get yellows

Posted by: SpecialK Apr 4 2005, 02:37 AM

Hmmm....The shocks (struts) don't really control the ride height, that's controlled by the springs on the rear. So you may want to have a look at the springs as well........like you'd have a choice replacing the strut.

Personally, I prefer to replace the struts with new ones, and in pairs. At least you know what you've got that way (more or less).

Posted by: rdauenhauer Apr 4 2005, 09:38 AM

Are you sure they are Koni's ? I pulled some Rears from my blue(silver) car and thinking they were Koni Reds but instead they were BOGE Hyd. shocks with updated heavier progressive springs.
I Kept the springs and replaced the shocks with some Gas KYB's.
Complete spring failures are rare, but if they are OE 30yr old its possible

Posted by: rhodyguy Apr 4 2005, 09:57 AM

iirc, your car does not have the external adj variety koni. give the rear sway bar bushings a look, new ones are pretty cheap and easy to put in. the fronts and all the mounting bolts too. the mention that it developed this symptom on the drive leads me to think something may have loosened up. sounds like you made it home fine other than the handling. fyi the orange rears are no longer available, new, but koni can rebuild them for you the cost is about the same as new yellows. you have options other than springing for new konis right now if you don't have the dough. i have a set of kyb (fairly new)rears that will go cheap. well al blose does, but they're taking up room at my place.

k

Posted by: ammason Apr 4 2005, 10:46 AM

It didn't develop while I was driving - I noticed it a little when I got into the car, but I'd been driving a toyota pickup and it was raining like crazy in Portland, so I was taking it slow and didn't notice it as an issue until yesterday when the sun came out and I stopped to check out why the car was rolling.

The thing that's getting me is the ride height. I'll check the springs when I pull the struts, but do they typically go bad?

I think I'd rather replace both of the rears. Anyone got any suggestions?

rhodyguy, how much are we talking for al's KYBs? Also, if I'm going to pull the struts I'd like to put 140lb springs on the back - Got any of those liying around as well?

Posted by: rhodyguy Apr 4 2005, 11:16 AM

hit the classifieds. other than shot springs/rear struts the ride height, side to side in the rear, is dictated by the front torsion bar adjusters. new car, new parts, welcome to owning a 914. i'll see what al has to say. pm being sent.

k

Posted by: Porsche Rescue Apr 4 2005, 03:35 PM

Shocks should not affect ride height. They do not hold the chassis up. The springs do that. You either have a broken/collapsed spring or some other issue with the trailing arm. Also, possible that one rear spring or the other is not properly seated. Sometimes, with non-stock springs (shorter) they come out of the upper cap or lower perch when the car is jacked up, and then do not seat properly when the car is lowered. Take a good look at the bottom of each spring and see if both are sitting in their perches evenly. Probably can't see the upper end very easily. You can jack up the car and check to see if either spring can be moved around when the arm/wheel fully extended.

Posted by: balljoint Apr 4 2005, 04:10 PM

QUOTE (Porsche Rescue @ Apr 4 2005, 05:35 PM)
Also, possible that one rear spring or the other is not properly seated. Sometimes, with non-stock springs (shorter) they come out of the upper cap or lower perch when the car is jacked up, and then do not seat properly when the car is lowered.

Attached image(s)

Posted by: ammason Apr 4 2005, 04:14 PM

So I found a guy with bilsteins/140lb struts for sale and am going to replace both sides in the rear. Hooray.

Hopefully this will also cure the ride height issue, but if it doesn't, what are some other possible reason for this to happen?

Posted by: rhodyguy Apr 4 2005, 04:18 PM

see above.

k

Posted by: ammason Apr 4 2005, 05:51 PM

I'm guessing it's just a shot shock and a tired spring... I'll pop in the new struts and see what happens...

Thanks again!