Now my newly acquired 76 2.0 is legally back on the road, and being unfamiliar with how 914’s drive, I’m thinking my front struts/dampers are not working as they should.

I drive over a pot hole or man hole cover and I get quite a bit of shudder. Don’t think this is quite right.

Do you think I should now replace the shock inserts? 39k miles, 44 years old.

Easy DIY job? Any advice or recommendations?

Cheers. Gary

Not sure what shudder means to you.

Shudder typically is a fore/aft or right/left oscillation. That typically wouldn't be associated with dampers which function in an up/down motion.

Bad dampers result in "bounce" or "pitch" motions that continue after encountering a bump.

You don't mention if the sensation is occuring in the front wheels or the rear.

Bottom line replacment of strut inserts and rear dampers is straightforward task for those with DIY incinations and the proper tools.

Dampers should not be worn out with 39K miles but seals do harden with age and if you've lost fluid (are dampers wet and oily?) that is a sure sign that it is time to replace them.

I would replace. They don’t get better with time. It takes about an hour. Use a impact gun for the top nut and a pipe wrench for the nut that holds the strut insert in the housing, pull the insert out without removing the strut from the a arm and then use a jack under the a arm to lift the strut back into the top mount. Easy peasy.