| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
mgatlag
Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 647
Location: Avon, IN
|
 Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:19 pm Post subject: suspension problems, need help... |
 |
|
Ok let me give you the symptoms and then you can tell me if I'm on the right track.
A few days ago I noticed the car bouncing lots more while driving. So much that the silicone bounced in the wife's chest (very amusing for me  ). The front end has seemed loose for a little while now but just got worse suddenly. The bouncing seems to be more noticeable on the highways.
Also, when I'm on gravel going very slow (5 mph), the steering wheel vibrates alot like it's loose. But I can't pinpoint the exact area.
I looked under the hood and found that both rubber donuts that are under the strut mount were completely broke free and not doing anything. I have plans on fixing the suspension this summer (front and rear) but I want to make sure that I'm replacing the correct things. Struts and shocks are a must being that they are original, what else should I be replacing? Thanks boys...
_________________
Michael
'77 1/2 924 N/A- 5 speed Audi box
'04 Ford Taurus - gone!!
'92 Jeep Cherokee Laredo - gone!!
Porsche... better than tea with Miss McGill
(Slap Shot) |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Rich H
Joined: 10 Jun 2007
Posts: 2665
Location: Preston, Lancs, UK
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:25 pm Post subject: Re: suspension problems, need help... |
|
|
| mgatlag wrote: |
A few days ago I noticed the car bouncing lots more while driving. So much that the silicone bounced in the wife's chest (very amusing for me ). |
We need video of this to confirm...
sounds like the shocks are shot and the top mounts are close behind, but I wouldn't worry about the steering on gravel until you sort the shocks.
_________________
1994 Lotus Esprit S4 - Work in progress...
1980 Porsche 924 S2 DITC Turbo - Original spec
1978 Homo-Sapiens - Tired spec
1953 Landrover S1 - Pensioner Spec |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Chrenan
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
Posts: 3903
Location: Canada
|
| Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 12:12 am Post subject: |
|
|
Yes, sounds like the front inserts aren't damping the rebound of the springs.
_________________
1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Rasta Monsta
Joined: 12 Jul 2006
Posts: 11723
Location: PacNW
|
| Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 2:23 am Post subject: |
|
|
I made up a song about this problem as I was driving Shaggy back to Oregon from Phoenix. It goes to the tune of "Smelly Cat" from Friends.
Busted strut
Busted strut
How'd you get so f'ed up?
Busted strut
Busted strut
Were you installed in Germany?
I say busted strut.
_________________
Toofah King Bad
- WeiBe (1987 924S 2.5t) - 931 S3
Last edited by Rasta Monsta on Thu Apr 24, 2008 2:57 am; edited 1 time in total |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
924RACR
Joined: 29 Jul 2001
Posts: 8804
Location: Royal Oak, MI, USA
|
| Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 2:51 am Post subject: |
|
|
LOL...
Yeah, new front struts, new strut mounts, strongly consider also new a-arm bushings, and check condition of front balljoints and tie rod ends (wiggle with car in air and watch for slop)...
_________________
Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mike924
Joined: 12 Aug 2004
Posts: 2601
Location: IoW UK
|
| Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 6:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Standard test for shocks is to push a corner down and release it; if it doesn't settle on the first bounce the shock's a gonner.
But, don't prejudge the issue. It might not be the shocks. As Vaughan indicates, something could be loose; so get in there and check everything for play.
BTW: I want some of what Rasta's on! 
_________________
1985 Porsche 924 'Lux', Kalahari Beige (my ex)
1993 Porsche 968 Coupe, Midnight Blue, 6 spd
'There is no substitute for a little grease under your fingernails.' - Chrenan, 924board.org |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
D Hook
Joined: 02 Nov 2002
Posts: 3156
Location: Omaha, NE
|
| Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 10:41 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Chrenan wrote: | | Yes, sounds like the front inserts aren't damping the rebound of the springs. |
And whose "front inserts" are you referring to, hhmmmmm? 
_________________
'80 924 n/a SOLD |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mgatlag
Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 647
Location: Avon, IN
|
| Posted: Sun Apr 27, 2008 10:41 am Post subject: |
|
|
Since I'm going to be replacing quite a bit of the front end and rear, is there a set up that you guys suggest as an upgrade? I want to someday put in the upgraded disc brake set up in the rear, but for now it will just get new shocks. But in the front, is there something better than just replacing struts, ball joints, and tie rod ends? Maybe from a 924S or turbo? I'd rather go ahead and get better stuff now for the front end since I'll be replacing so much. Better to do it just once and be done with it.
_________________
Michael
'77 1/2 924 N/A- 5 speed Audi box
'04 Ford Taurus - gone!!
'92 Jeep Cherokee Laredo - gone!!
Porsche... better than tea with Miss McGill
(Slap Shot) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mike924
Joined: 12 Aug 2004
Posts: 2601
Location: IoW UK
|
| Posted: Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I've got hold of some new front control arms complete with polyurethane bushes. I'll let you know how I get on with those...
_________________
1985 Porsche 924 'Lux', Kalahari Beige (my ex)
1993 Porsche 968 Coupe, Midnight Blue, 6 spd
'There is no substitute for a little grease under your fingernails.' - Chrenan, 924board.org |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ideola
Joined: 01 Oct 2004
Posts: 15548
Location: Spring Lake MI
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 2:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
polyurethane bushings will be harsh and noisy. if it's a street car, stick with stock bushings. For the money, the KYB strut inserts and rear shocks are a good deal for a street driven daily driver. However, if you want a stiffer ride, you'll probably want to upgrade, maybe to the Bilstein sports or something.
_________________
erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
mgatlag
Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 647
Location: Avon, IN
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 4:26 am Post subject: |
|
|
I think I'm going to go with the KYB's front and rear, seems to be the best deal I've found for a daily street driver. I'll check at EBS for the bushings too. Hopefully that'll take care of my issues.
_________________
Michael
'77 1/2 924 N/A- 5 speed Audi box
'04 Ford Taurus - gone!!
'92 Jeep Cherokee Laredo - gone!!
Porsche... better than tea with Miss McGill
(Slap Shot) |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
924RACR
Joined: 29 Jul 2001
Posts: 8804
Location: Royal Oak, MI, USA
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 4:41 am Post subject: |
|
|
I had my turbo out on track yesterday for some good laps. I was impressed how well the Bilstein HD's and new stock rubber bushings held up - far better than the tires could dish out!
Even one of the drivers (a fellow racer and instructor) chasing me was impressed at how flat the car looked - and this without even any rear swaybar!
I think new rubber bushings are great except for the track cars...
_________________
Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Rasta Monsta
Joined: 12 Jul 2006
Posts: 11723
Location: PacNW
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 7:09 am Post subject: |
|
|
I like the poly control arm bushings. Ride harshness issues are greatly exaggerated IMO, they don't have to be pressed in, and they are FAR less expensive than stock (if you find them for a Rabbit/Golf Mk I).
_________________
Toofah King Bad
- WeiBe (1987 924S 2.5t) - 931 S3
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Mike924
Joined: 12 Aug 2004
Posts: 2601
Location: IoW UK
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 5:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Phew! I'm glad you said that Rasta, as I've just forked out for a set of poly rear anti-roll bar/sway bar bushes.
Aren't there two grades of poly bushes, anyhow? There's the blue ones which are comparable to the standard rubber bushes in stiffness and then there's the yellow ones which are seriously hard.
_________________
1985 Porsche 924 'Lux', Kalahari Beige (my ex)
1993 Porsche 968 Coupe, Midnight Blue, 6 spd
'There is no substitute for a little grease under your fingernails.' - Chrenan, 924board.org |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ideola
Joined: 01 Oct 2004
Posts: 15548
Location: Spring Lake MI
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2008 9:45 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Rasta Monsta wrote: | | Ride harshness issues are greatly exaggerated IMO |
When's the last time you drove that setup on roads that are coated in salt and ice for six months out of the year
Seriously, my UWB had poly bushings in it, and while the ride wasn't too terribly bad due to the stock dampers, it was definitely very very noisy...lots of squeaks, much more than you'd ever hear with rubber bushings.
Rasta, I am planning to rebuild my entire suspension for the UWB project using a 86-87 944 setup. Will the VW stuff work there, and if so, do you have a cross reference of part numbers?
_________________
erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
924 FAQ (Technical)
