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Suspension refresh questions

willglennon

PCGB Member
Member
Hi, I've got a 2004 996 turbo, 69k, and am giving it a suspension refresh.
I've decided to put Bilstein B6 shocks on, which I've been advised is a tidy, easy small upgrade, in place of B4s which I understand are standard.
At the moment I'm doing the rear, it'll be front next, so maybe more questions then, but...

1. Am I right in thinking my old springs will fit on the B6 without problem, or do I need new springs?
2. Is it a false economy not to buy new springs anyway? My original rear ones seem fine with just a tiny bit of corrosion at the base, which should clean up.
3. Is it also a false economy not to buy new top mounts? The fronts are worn and will be replaced but the rears look okay. Maybe it's daft not to change them though while I'm in there doing the job. (And are the Hamburg Tech ones any good? Or stick with OEM?)
4. Is it a must to replace the hardware - hexagon top nut, washer etc? I know some parts like these are sacrificial. But for eg. the top nut is only circa £2, so again, daft not to right?

I'm replacing the ARB droplinks too, and will probably fit new ARB bushes while there.
Is it worth going polyurethane eg Powerflex if all the other bushes on the car are standard? Or should I not bother?
I'm going to replace the coffin arm and lower control arm, although I've been told you can get the bushes refreshed on your original arms by sending them off to some places.
Grateful for any advice.

Thanks,

Will

 
That's what I did on my Turbo. The B6's were excellent. Center Gravity did mine.

Regarding the springs, yes, the standard springs fit the B6. However, the rear spings on the Turbo tend to sag over time, giving you a slightly nose-up attitude. If I were you, I would replace them.

My top rear mounts were OK, but the fronts were repalced. I also had two coffin arms. I can't comment about the Powerflex bushes, as I have no experience, but hopefully someone else will chime in.

 
I had all the bushes replaced on my Turbo with Powerflex ones by Chris at CG. Worthwhile IMO.
 
Said it before - Center Gravity are amazing - never had service like it. I had complete set of B6, always do the springs and the top-mounts, bump-stops and bearings certainly on the front.I had all coffin arms and drop links done as well - car was transformed
 
willglennon said:
1. Am I right in thinking my old springs will fit on the B6 without problem, or do I need new springs?
2. Is it a false economy not to buy new springs anyway? My original rear ones seem fine with just a tiny bit of corrosion at the base, which should clean up.
3. Is it also a false economy not to buy new top mounts? The fronts are worn and will be replaced but the rears look okay. Maybe it's daft not to change them though while I'm in there doing the job. (And are the Hamburg Tech ones any good? Or stick with OEM?)
4. Is it a must to replace the hardware - hexagon top nut, washer etc? I know some parts like these are sacrificial. But for eg. the top nut is only circa £2, so again, daft not to right?

I'm replacing the ARB droplinks too, and will probably fit new ARB bushes while there.
Is it worth going polyurethane eg Powerflex if all the other bushes on the car are standard? Or should I not bother?
I'm going to replace the coffin arm and lower control arm, although I've been told you can get the bushes refreshed on your original arms by sending them off to some places.
Grateful for any advice.

Thanks,

Will

Most parts you will need to inspect as you dismantle the old.
Springs can be resused - although they are not particularly expensive whilst things are pulled apart.
Being a turbo with 4 x wheel drive the front mounts tend to go before a C2 due to geometry/weight - new contact bearing too
My rears mounts were ok after 100K - all oem mounts
Top mount bolt is nyloc so should be changed, and usually part of the kit.
I used polybush arb, but rest is standard with all new parts. I used refurd'ed wishbones from Hartech
Wheel bearings are worth checking - but they are difficult without specialist tools and can lead to other issues with sheered bolts...
Be careful with calipers as bolts can strip hub - clean where inner bolt protudes hub and lubricate.


 
Hi. - I just replaced my 2001 c4 from Oem to B6 With 60k miles. Im finding them to be too harsh around when I live, the roads are a poor quality. They are nice on motorways and good A roads and i’m sure on a track if luckily enough to book a spot. I’m not sure these are exactly the same for the turbos, but happy give a ride
in car before I swap out so you can feel it and give a discount to sell them when I swap o it. ive got about 100 miles on them. I will try the b4 I understand these to be oem roelace but with gas vs oil and better performer than stock

 

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