924Board.org

[Tor K Refsland]

I recently replaced the the original shock absorbers on my 924 with some green Bilsteins. The springs look quite worn, so I think I should replace these too...
The question is if I should get some Spax lowering springs or if I should get some new originals?
I have seen both for sale at porscheshop.co.uk at approximately the same price, but I fear that the suspension might become a litle too hard with the lowering springs combined with the Bilstein shock absorbers.
Does anyone have any words of advice?

I have also had some issues with the front of the car jumping slightly when driving at 70-80 km/h. Could this have anything to do with the worn springs?
I guess it could be because of the winter tyres or the wheel setup but I'm not sure though...
I think I'll try changing the springs first and if that doesn't bring an end to it I'll wait till I get some proper tyres on before I make any adjustments.
Have anyone have any similar issues? If so I would like to know what to do about it as it can get rather irritating at length...

[brupska]

I have lowering springs installed on my 81 924. I have not driven it yet. Still getting it running!! LOL I have a hard time getting it jacked up on the front cross member. I had to use a small jack and take the pad off it. Put in on jack stands. Then I jacked up the back with a lg jack/ jack stands. After all that I then went around to the front again to use my lf jack and just raised the jack stands. My lg jack would not fit under the front valence at all!! Maybe if the rear had been lowered but I don't think so!!.

[9XX Girl!]

[Tor K Refsland]

By jump I mean up and down maybe 1-3 cm when running on a straight road, and yes, my Bilstein shock absorbers are brand new
I think the minor jumping might just be caused by to little air in the front wheels. I havent had the time to check this though...
If it ain't the tire air pressure, the worn springs or the wheel setting I don't know what the problem might be as the car haven't driven more than 64000 km...
Thanks for all the quick answers!

[Cedric]

Springs dont wear out as the dampers.do The lowering springs are often barely harder than stock, at a maximum 30%. For the springs to be the cause of a harsh ride they need to be reeeeally stiff.
_________________
1980 924 Turbo
www.instagram.com/garagecedric/

[Tor K Refsland]

The springs might not be worn out, but I think that 10-15 years of standing still in a garage have somehow made them become softer. At any rate, the springs felt way too soft when I replaced the shock absorbers and i didn't even need tools to put them back on!?
As for the lowering springs, I would say 30% is more than "barely", Cédric. But it might just make the car handle better, som mabe I should just order the lowering springs and see how they feel?
They weren't that expencive really, and I guess any improvement would be more than worth it even though it sits quite well on the road already.

[morghen]

[Smoothie]

+1^
Standard original equipment springs need to be compressed for removal and reassembly.
Altered (cut) springs, aftermarket lowering springs, and aftermarket standard height 220lb springs generally fit loose and don't require compressing.
_________________
"..it's made in Germany. You know the Germans always make good stuff."


'82 924T, US version, dark green metallic, 5 speed Audi 016G gearbox

[Cedric]

[Tor K Refsland]

I don't really understand what's wrong with those springs myself, but it must be something. I'm sure they're the correct springs (or at least they should be), as they haven't been changed or modified since the car was built. I've also checked the height of the car, and it is no lower than what it originaly should be. It seems the top part of the spring have gone completely soft and doesn't require much pressure to be compressed. The rest of the spring is as hard as it sould be. Hopefully this is the cause of the minor jumping as well. I think I'll just order some Spax or Weltmeister lowering springs and se how it goes from there.
_________________
'84 924 NA
'81 924 Carrera GT (part ownership)

[Vince Ponz]

Springs here in the US are cheap maybe 100 dollars. Buy the lowered springs and with the shocks you will like the ride. Don"t for get to lower the rear enough. Place a level in the door jamb to find where the level point is. If you only lower the front you are looking at trouble.
_________________
"Never let them see you sweat"
77.5 924 modified track car
79 931 Euro stock
88 924S SE
87 911 Targa stock

[Tor K Refsland]

Ofcourse I will have to lower the rear as well. A fellow member of the PCN (Porsche Club Norway) showed me how to do it at our latest meeting a couple of months ago. Looking forward to see how it feels when lowered!
_________________
'84 924 NA
'81 924 Carrera GT (part ownership)

[!tom]

[reilly525i]

[quote="!tom"]

[Tor K Refsland]

It might not be the springs after all then. I don't really know that much about suspension, and like I said earlier it might just be the winter tires and/or low air pressure in the front tires. When I changed the shock absorbers, I checked the suspension bushings, which seemed ok. As for the struts, I can't imagine there being anything wrong with them, and I don't think the ball joints would be worn out at 64000 km...
Because the winter tires are so soft I think I will postpone any major changes on the wheel setup or anything similar till I get some proper tires. So I think I'll order the lowering springs anyway, as I wouldn't mind the car being a little lower. And I might just get some new bushings and perhaps some new ball joints while I'm at it.
The minor "jumping" I mentioned earlier ain't that much of a problem anyway, as it's hardly noticeable if you don't focus on it.
_________________
'84 924 NA
'81 924 Carrera GT (part ownership)