924 suspension recommendations?
Discussion
I've posted something to this effect on TIPEC, but thought I'd put it to the PH floor too...
I need to do some work on the suspension of my 924 and I may well change the shocks while I have the struts off. Currently they are (to the best of my knowledge) the same ones that have been on the car since 1983. It still rides surprisingly well, but it rolls quite horrendously.
Assuming I do change the springs and dampers over I'm wondering whether to go with OEM replacements or one of the more affordable after market options, like the Spax adjustables?
I don't want to spend huge amounts and I'm predominantly after something for road use (rather than an ultr-stiff track day setup).
Any suggestions?
I need to do some work on the suspension of my 924 and I may well change the shocks while I have the struts off. Currently they are (to the best of my knowledge) the same ones that have been on the car since 1983. It still rides surprisingly well, but it rolls quite horrendously.
Assuming I do change the springs and dampers over I'm wondering whether to go with OEM replacements or one of the more affordable after market options, like the Spax adjustables?
I don't want to spend huge amounts and I'm predominantly after something for road use (rather than an ultr-stiff track day setup).
Any suggestions?
The Gaz option does seem to be coming out quite favourably.
Anyone here refreshed a 924 with standard springs and dampers lately? Part of me is rather tempted to keep it standard, but that's on the assumption that a fresh set of components would be a big step up from the old (presumably rather tired) ones on there currently.
Anyone here refreshed a 924 with standard springs and dampers lately? Part of me is rather tempted to keep it standard, but that's on the assumption that a fresh set of components would be a big step up from the old (presumably rather tired) ones on there currently.
FelixP said:
I'd probably favour the standard setup too for the same reason. I'm not sure the Gaz kit on an otherwise standard car would be so suited to everyday driving and the useability of the 924 if you know what I mean.
That was kind of my logic. I'm probably going to keep the car fairly standard and I'd be tempted to go for the standard setup unless one of the aftermarket makes is known to offer a dramatic improvement in damping quality without too many compromises.That said, my TVR is significantly stiffer than standard, but thanks to some clever valving and some expensive monotube dampers it also rides better than it did before... I don't plan to spend quite so much on the 924, though. There's an outside possibility I might do the odd track day once the TVR is gone, but the idea is to use the 924 everyday.
While we're here, can I get an opinion on another issue. There's a knocking sound and occasionally a gravelly kind of scraping noise from the front right wheel on left hand bends. I can't see anything visually wrong (no broken coils or obviously perished bushes etc.), the tyre is not fouling the arch as far as I can see and I've replaced the wheel bearings to no avail. My next targets are things like top mounts, but I wondered if anyone could suggest anything else to check?
The noise only occurs when cornering at least moderately hard; you don't get it at parking speeds, irrespective of the amount of steering lock.
(The dampers feel like they could do with a refresh, but the reason I'm asking now is I'm assuming - whatever the problem is traced to - it's likely to involve removing the struts, so it would be an opportunity to do both jobs...)
Funnily enough I was only thinking about upgrading the suspension yesterday but will probably leave it standard as my 924 will be used everyday as well! anyone fit a k&n filter? I was thinking about buying one but im afraid it will sound boy racery:P also nice to see the 924 getting a mention in the porsche section way to much 911 stuff!!
I have the GAZ adjustables on my 944 track toy, and although incredibly impressive at hanging on through the corners, I don't think I'd be able to live with them on the roads here...and nor would the front valance probably!
Having said that, I believe you can just send your existing springs etc to GAZ and they can replicate your setup in a new funky packaging without having to have the race/track bias!? I could be wrong.
I was wondering if I could squeeze my 944 through the mot equivalent over here, and use it as an everyday car, but to be honest I struggle enough getting up the kerbs in the Cayenne let alone a lowered, stiff, Toyo rubbered stripped out track toy...
Having said that, I believe you can just send your existing springs etc to GAZ and they can replicate your setup in a new funky packaging without having to have the race/track bias!? I could be wrong.
I was wondering if I could squeeze my 944 through the mot equivalent over here, and use it as an everyday car, but to be honest I struggle enough getting up the kerbs in the Cayenne let alone a lowered, stiff, Toyo rubbered stripped out track toy...
Chris71 said:
I'm leaning towards standard springs and dampers too.
As for the soundtrack, well I've got an ageing back box on there that has taken on a surprisingly pleasing burble as bits of it have rusted away.
Thats one way of improving noise anywayAs for the soundtrack, well I've got an ageing back box on there that has taken on a surprisingly pleasing burble as bits of it have rusted away.
just out of interest do you know anyone who fitted a short shifter kit? been toying with the idea for awhile!slevin911 said:
Chris71 said:
I'm leaning towards standard springs and dampers too.
As for the soundtrack, well I've got an ageing back box on there that has taken on a surprisingly pleasing burble as bits of it have rusted away.
Thats one way of improving noise anywayAs for the soundtrack, well I've got an ageing back box on there that has taken on a surprisingly pleasing burble as bits of it have rusted away.
just out of interest do you know anyone who fitted a short shifter kit? been toying with the idea for awhile!Took the car out for a run yesterday with a few clear roundabouts and I can confirm it handles pretty respectably round right hand bends.
Listening to the noise (on left-handers) I'm getting more and more convinced it's the top mount that's the issue. I gather that can be changed quite easily and without resetting the geometry, so I might try that as one last thing before I change the whole lot over.
Chris71 said:
Can't say I do. I wonder if being a transaxle makes it harder to engineer?
Took the car out for a run yesterday with a few clear roundabouts and I can confirm it handles pretty respectably round right hand bends.
Listening to the noise (on left-handers) I'm getting more and more convinced it's the top mount that's the issue. I gather that can be changed quite easily and without resetting the geometry, so I might try that as one last thing before I change the whole lot over.
They have them for sale on the porsche.shop website they are 135 quid and only take an hour or 2 to fitTook the car out for a run yesterday with a few clear roundabouts and I can confirm it handles pretty respectably round right hand bends.
Listening to the noise (on left-handers) I'm getting more and more convinced it's the top mount that's the issue. I gather that can be changed quite easily and without resetting the geometry, so I might try that as one last thing before I change the whole lot over.
I heard that you have to get the suspension reset by a specialist if you go near em as they can only setup the geometry correct,I persume thats a load of rubbish.Any truth in that?slevin911 said:
Chris71 said:
Can't say I do. I wonder if being a transaxle makes it harder to engineer?
Took the car out for a run yesterday with a few clear roundabouts and I can confirm it handles pretty respectably round right hand bends.
Listening to the noise (on left-handers) I'm getting more and more convinced it's the top mount that's the issue. I gather that can be changed quite easily and without resetting the geometry, so I might try that as one last thing before I change the whole lot over.
They have them for sale on the porsche.shop website they are 135 quid and only take an hour or 2 to fitTook the car out for a run yesterday with a few clear roundabouts and I can confirm it handles pretty respectably round right hand bends.
Listening to the noise (on left-handers) I'm getting more and more convinced it's the top mount that's the issue. I gather that can be changed quite easily and without resetting the geometry, so I might try that as one last thing before I change the whole lot over.
I heard that you have to get the suspension reset by a specialist if you go near em as they can only setup the geometry correct,I persume thats a load of rubbish.Any truth in that? They're £34.19 apiece.As far as I'm aware the standard top mounts are non-adjustable and won't affect the geometry. But either way, I'd need to get it to someone like Wheels In Motion once I've finished fiddling. The car has been owned by a succession of 'mature' drivers who probably haven't had the alignment done since it was new.
According to one of the posts on TIPEC I should be able to drop the top of the strut down out of the mount without removing the bottom mount or disassembling the strut. If that's the case, it should be possible to whack a new mount in and then bolt it all back together again in about half an hour.
My thinking is I could do both sides for about the same as a single hour's labour cost at a Porsche garage.
Chris71 said:
£135? You had me worried for a second! They're £34.19 apiece.
As far as I'm aware the standard top mounts are non-adjustable and won't affect the geometry. But either way, I'd need to get it to someone like Wheels In Motion once I've finished fiddling. The car has been owned by a succession of 'mature' drivers who probably haven't had the alignment done since it was new.
According to one of the posts on TIPEC I should be able to drop the top of the strut down out of the mount without removing the bottom mount or disassembling the strut. If that's the case, it should be possible to whack a new mount in and then bolt it all back together again in about half an hour.
My thinking is I could do both sides for about the same as a single hour's labour cost at a Porsche garage.
Sorry 135 for the short shifter.Was just looking at the Bilstein coil and damper kit its almost 800 euro but I am tempted They're £34.19 apiece.As far as I'm aware the standard top mounts are non-adjustable and won't affect the geometry. But either way, I'd need to get it to someone like Wheels In Motion once I've finished fiddling. The car has been owned by a succession of 'mature' drivers who probably haven't had the alignment done since it was new.
According to one of the posts on TIPEC I should be able to drop the top of the strut down out of the mount without removing the bottom mount or disassembling the strut. If that's the case, it should be possible to whack a new mount in and then bolt it all back together again in about half an hour.
My thinking is I could do both sides for about the same as a single hour's labour cost at a Porsche garage.
Ya thats the joys of 924 ownership for me really,you can throw your hand at anything id much rather spend my money on perfecting the car than rather spending it on labour!
slevin911 said:
Thanks chris for all the advice and sorry for hijacking your thread!
saw a 924s for the first time in person during the week,was taking the owner very nice guy,good to see some still out and about.He owned a 928 manual as well 
No worries. Good to see one of the front-engined cars being discussed on here. saw a 924s for the first time in person during the week,was taking the owner very nice guy,good to see some still out and about.He owned a 928 manual as well I used to have a 924S and the bloke I bought my current 924 off had one that he gave me a lift in. It confirmed my recollection that the 924S is a significantly quicker car in a straight line, but I don't think that makes a great deal of difference until you need to overtake somebody; on an open road both feel a bit luke-warm by modern standards and the advantage is you can push the standard 924 a lot harder without becomming conspicuous.
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