turbo Suspension refresh

[minny]

My 65k mile 2004 tiptronic turbo just passed its MOT but the tester did note a split front drive shaft boot. To replace it involves splitting bits of the front suspension so from a £20 boot, I have so far spent over £2500 buying top mounts, springs, dampers, wishbones and fork arms for the front including the 2 outer boots on both driveshafts (if one is split, I'm sure the other is not far behind).

Problem is, now that I have all the new bits in the garage, I'm of the opinion that I really should replace the rear shocks at the least so those including top mounts are on the way too.

One thing I wanted to get an opinion on is whether I should replace the rear springs too? The reason I'm replacing the front ones is that I have noticed that the outer protective layer is peeling off at the bottom and it is starting to rust so will probably snap eventually. The rear ones actually look fine but i'm sure they have sagged after 14 years. Any advice is much appreciated. I'm using Porsche parts for everything except the dampers which are standard Bilstein B4. Considered the B6 but am afraid they may be too stiff. I hope someone may be able to dispel the myth as I do like the yellow colour of the B6s.

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

When I had mine done, the rear springs had sagged a lot, and the car had a slight nose-up attitude. I would say to check the ride heights, and that should tell you if they are getting saggy. I had B6's on mine - they were much better than standard. Not harsh at all. If you can look through my old running reports, you should find the one where I showed what Center Gravity did.

 

[minny]

That is what I remembered when you got yours done at Centre Gravity. I think I will change the order to B6s and include rear springs.

 

[Rodney Naghar]

How about getting them refurbished at bilstein instead of replacing them at a cost of around £100 a corner? Center Gravity will organise it for you

 

[minny]

Thought about that option too but I'm in Belfast and by the time i get round to dismantling all 4 corners it would probably be another year. B6s are in the post and Design 911 are doing a good deal on them at the moment with an extra 10% discount on top.

 

[minny]

Richard, when you got your car sorted at Centre Gravity, do you remember what Chris replaced at the rear? I’ve ordered springs, top mounts, Bilstein B6s, ARB bushed and lower wishbones. I could go the whole hog replacing all the other arms but am trying to contain the cost without going doolally. All this started with a £20 boot.
The car is already going in for a major service with all the coils, turbo heat shields, ATF and filter, lambda sensors to be replaced. It will probably also need brake discs and pads at the front!

 

[Richard_Hamilton]

Sorry Min - I've been away for a few days, so only just picked up on this.

From memory, Chris replaced one of the coffin arms and one forked arm on the rear. He didn't replace the rear springs, but had new retaining grooves machined in them to raise the ride height to compensate for the saggy springs. In retrospect, I should have got him to change them, but he thought his method was as good.

 

[minny]

Good to know. Thank you. I did read your running report and one rear fork arm had seized too. My new dampers, springs, 4 Coffin and fork arms all arrived by DHL today [s1] I think I’ll have to make a trip to the Indy before the car is due in due to the size of the box of bits. That’s where a C63 estate comes in handy. ??