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bureau13 · Joined: 07 Sep 2017 Posts: 495 Location: South Florida

I'm probably not going to do it right away, since the queue is getting longer and longer, but...my suspension needs some work. It's very bouncy...I sometimes bottom out on a speed bump in my neighborhood if I go over it too fast...and there is a lot of lean in corners. I also get some odd sounds...sort of a thunk in slowish turns, etc.

Before I do anything like upgrading sway bars or whatever...I have no idea if that's even needed...I think I need to fix the obviously known problem, which is shocks.

I saw a set of 4 KYB on Ebay for super cheap, but I suspect they're not so good. Most I see referenced are Koni and Bilstein. My inclination was the latter, but I'm open to suggestions. This will mostly be a street car, but I want it to feel tight and precise. The roads around here are pretty average, certainly I don't drive on a lot of dirt roads, etc. I don't need a soft ride.

Thoughts?
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1982 931
1986.5 Silver 928S
2008 Volvo XC90 (Daily)

Past lives (I miss them all):
2007 Hummer H3 (Timing chain guide failure)
2004 RX-8 (Wrecked)
1993 RX-7 (Sold)
1987 RX-7 Turbo II (Sold)
1985 RX-7 GSL (Stolen)

Eric P · Joined: 21 Jun 2017 Posts: 175 Location: NY, USA

If price is a concern, there's always Sachs shocks. They're a bit more expensive than KYB but they're cheaper than the Konis and Bilsteins.

I've had bad experiences with KYBs so I'd probably steer clear of them personally. They only lasted about 6k miles on my F250 with normal road use. There's no way I would install them on my 924.

If it were my car, I would save up and just get Koni's or Bilsteins. Get something that's quality and will last.

There are a lot of options, but the price only goes up from there.
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1980 924 NA, US model
1987 924S, US model

bureau13 · Joined: 07 Sep 2017 Posts: 495 Location: South Florida

I figured those KYBs were too good to be true. I hate changing shocks, so I definitely don't want something where I'm going to have to do the job again any time soon...

MugenRep · Joined: 15 Nov 2017 Posts: 25 Location: Watkins Glen, NY

RockAuto has a KYB mail in discount for 4 struts $100.00 off. I needed rear struts, so I bought the KYB Gas-A-Just rear monotube shocks for $26.xx and shipping less 5% discount. After mail in rebate, I'll only be out about $23.xx/each with shipping (2 KYBs were $40 off).

Head over to RockAuto and check.
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1979 Porsche 924s with the beloved 915-based dog legged 5 speed.

MugenRep · Joined: 15 Nov 2017 Posts: 25 Location: Watkins Glen, NY

Btw, GR-2s aren't very good. AGX and Gas-A-Just are decent, but Bilstein and Koni are better. Sachs is between along with Monroe struts/shocks.

https://www.rockauto.com/lang/en/promoCat.html
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1979 Porsche 924s with the beloved 915-based dog legged 5 speed.

Fifty50Plus · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2018 5:48 am Post subject:

Don't buy cubic zirconium for your girlfriend. Get the Bilsteins.
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1979 924 NA race car H-Prod SCCA
1982 924 NA race car - Sold
1981 924 Turbo sold
1982 924 Turbo sold
1972 911 E race car - traded for Cayenne Diesel
1975 914 1.8 Building for H-Prod SCCA

ideola · Joined: 01 Oct 2004 Posts: 15550 Location: Spring Lake MI

I agree^^^. My favorite street shocks are Bilstein HDs.

Available here:
http://garage.ideola.com/prod-SuspensionUpgrades.html#Dampers

The rear shocks are an absolute cinch to install.

Even the fronts can be done without messing up alignment...best when using spring compressors...and you'll likely need a big pipe wrench to get the top strut housing nut removed.
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

bureau13 · Joined: 07 Sep 2017 Posts: 495 Location: South Florida

That's probably what I'll go with. Good to hear it's a relatively painless job. On the 928, it's supposedly a PITA and I'm not looking forward to it, but I kinda have to now....but that's another story...
_________________
1982 931
1986.5 Silver 928S
2008 Volvo XC90 (Daily)

Past lives (I miss them all):
2007 Hummer H3 (Timing chain guide failure)
2004 RX-8 (Wrecked)
1993 RX-7 (Sold)
1987 RX-7 Turbo II (Sold)
1985 RX-7 GSL (Stolen)

bureau13 · Joined: 07 Sep 2017 Posts: 495 Location: South Florida

So are the shocks for this car the same as used on the early 944s?

The reason I ask: I have a source for some lightly-used Konis from an early 944...if they're the same, sounds like a nice cheap step up from the bouncy stockers I have now...
_________________
1982 931
1986.5 Silver 928S
2008 Volvo XC90 (Daily)

Past lives (I miss them all):
2007 Hummer H3 (Timing chain guide failure)
2004 RX-8 (Wrecked)
1993 RX-7 (Sold)
1987 RX-7 Turbo II (Sold)
1985 RX-7 GSL (Stolen)