Front and Rear Shocks Needed, What and where to buy Options

[DaveO90s4]

Hi all,

The Boge rear shocks on my 914 are worn out. The fronts are probably no better. So I need to fix this. Not sure what to do. I read Boge's are not able to be rebuilt cost effectively? I read KYB are harsh (but price looks right). I think that leaves Bilsteins - but with Bilsteins replacing original Boges do I need anything special to make them fit?

With some guidance from Forum members I'll know what to buy - and will then place a WTB ad on this forum (or suggestions where to buy are most welcome too).

Many thanks in advance
DaveO
Australia

[mepstein]

If you are on a budget, get another set of Boge's/Sachs. If you cn splurge, get Bilsteins. Often you need new rear springs as well.

I wouldn't use KYB's even if they were free.

[Mark Henry]

You don't need anything special, but I'd also buy new rear springs and replace the A arm bushings, etc.

If one or both corners of your front suspension is like a rock it's the bushings, not the struts.

[914Sixer]

Boge/Sachs fronts are gas now. No rears are available from them now. Bilstein and Koni make fronts and rears. Both are priced about the same if you shop around. Koni Classics (hydraulic) are available for the fronts also.

[Mblizzard]

I found Koni adjustables for about $150 each on the fronts. Hard to get more for that price range.

[bigkensteele]

Call Jason at Paragon.

https://www.paragon-products.com/Porsche-Ra...-Parts-s/28.htm

[injunmort]

boge/sachs/billstein are all owned by zf. dont know about porsche, but bmw applications, billstein hd are pretty close to oe spec, sports are shorter with about the same valving. shorter springs are needed for sports. i have billstein hd's in front of my dd, they are great for daily driving.

[DaveO90s4]

Thanks all for your input

Dave

[maf914]

Oops, sorry, my mistake. When I posted the following I obviously didn't notice that you were posting from Australia.

No affiliation. Koni rears for $233 a pair on Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Koni-Sport-Yellow-Sh...oni+porsche+914

[EdwardBlume]

I think Konis have more use, I liked my Bilsteins and still run them.

[OLAF]

I'm restoring my '71 and know nothing about shock/strut brand comparisons. I am a newbe to the 914, haven't even driven one. This project had sat in a Florida garage for 30 years when I bought it and shipped it to Ohio.

That was 2 years ago. This project is a retirement gift to myself and I intend to build a very nice "driver" with a "decent" ride, not too rough and not too spongy.

I've already rebuilt the front steering and suspension using KYB shocks understanding them to be equivalent to OEM specs. I was planning to buy the same for the rear and had not considered replacement of the springs.

Questions:
Will the KYBs give me a satisfactory ride? Looking for a Sunday "ice cream" driver.
How do I know if rear springs need replacement?
What procedure is used to test integrity of the trailing arm bushings?

Thanks guys. This forum and all it provides has been extremely helpful. You've all made my project much more interesting.

Let me share with you the status of my project:
-All bodywork (minimal required) and panel off paint has been completed and all new rubber and seals.
-Type 4 2 ltr with twin Empi 44's was freshened by local pro and installed.
-new fuel lines and pump installed
-all shift lever bushings replaced
-most wiring replaced as needed
-gauges have been restored and oil temp/pressure VDOs being added
-new brake lines, MS, calipers, rotors, pedal assy, etc..
-custom interior is being sewn

Let me bore you with a few pics in my shop:

[mepstein]

The car and the shop look great. Spend just a bit more and get sachs/boge, billstein or koni's. I had KYB's. They are harsh riding, not at all like the stock boge shocks. I had them on my first car and again on another that I purchased years later. I still have a set but they are only used to make a car into a roller, I will never drive on them. Its really worth the money to buy the good shocks.

Ive never had springs that were still on the car turn out to be good.

[914Sixer]

K=Kill
Y=Your
B=Back

[Downunderman]

Bilstein from Sydney Shock. Andre will valve them for whatever application you have in mind if other than street.

Cheers,

[Downunderman]

I should have also said that if you buy them in the US after the currency adjustment and freight the price works out about the same.

Cheers,

[mb911]

I really wanted sachs/boge for the rear on my car as thats what the fronts are and brand new.. Can't find them anywhere so went with konis in the back..

[JamesM]

Questions:
Will the KYBs give me a satisfactory ride? Looking for a Sunday "ice cream" driver.
How do I know if rear springs need replacement?
What procedure is used to test integrity of the trailing arm bushings?

Which KYBs? I have seen two different varieties, White and Grey. The white "Gas-A-Just" in my opinion are the worst possible thing you can do to a 914 in terms of ride quality and handling and near the top of the list of worst possible things you can do to a 914 period. I own/have owned a lot of 914s and I would say about 50% of them seem to come to me with white KYBs in the rear, most likely due to them being the cheapest option available. They are always top of my list to replace on the car when i get them and I just give them away (with a warning about how bad they suck) or trash them when no one will take them. You would probably do just as well by bolting a 2x4 in their place.

The one car I drove with the Grey KYBs in the rear was slightly less terrible but i would never buy them by choice. If you have the grey ones you may find them to be liveable

Stock Sach/Boges are not bad but all my 914s get Bilsteins, they are worth it.