Koni yellow rear adjustable shocks on an '83 948 with 28mm torsion bars

So, I'm rebuilding the interior of my 1983 948 (lots of weight gone). I have a 1994 LT1 up front with RH front shorty springs and I put in 28mm solid rear torsion bars. Keeping the rear stable, I'm using yellow Koni adjustable shocks. The rear of the car bounces all over the road (like a solid axle rear wheel drive pickup) when I hit a bump. Does that mean my adjustable shocks are too stiff or too lenient?


My assumption is that I need to have them on the softest setting (working on it now) but I may be wrong.

Any ideas?

Interesting problem. If you mean bouncing like the springs won't compress and it's just the tire that gives, you have too much spring and/or too much compression damping. If you mean bouncing like a pogo stick where the springs compress and then rebound, you have too little rebound damping. Perhaps the shocks are just plain blown, giving you no damping at all.

My rear suspension is 30mm hollow bars with the Koni single-adjustable shocks and it's working well. Good luck.

Rich

Thanks. Interesting. Well, I just got done taking off the driver's side rear Koni to set it to the softest setting. I'm now on the passenger side to find that the Koni on that side only compresses half way before there's huge resistance. Now I have to take the diver's side back off again to compare. The driver's side Koni seemed to compress all the way down with 190lbs of human force... passenger side, no way. I think one may be busted internally which sucks since I've hardly used the car since I bought them. Can't wait to get to the bottom of this.

Edit: when I say "bouncing" I mean going at 70mph down a highway and you hit a bump in the road, the rear will bounce around a little and you'll have to counter steer into it. When going slow, it's as solid as a rock.

Back.


Have them both off now. The driver's side compresses all the way with force. The passenger side does not (1/3 max). I will never buy adjustable Koni shocks/struts again.


P.S. Does anyone know of a good brand of rear shocks for the 944? (not Koni)

Just placed the stiff Koni in a 20ton press and was able to compress it all the way. The other I could do just by leaning on it. I'm not sure which is the broken one and which is the good one. Doesn't matter, can't drive the car tomorrow.

Go grab some Bilsteins. $85 a piece.

http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/1986/porsche/944/suspension/shock_absorber.html

Konis are "okay" at best. The Bilsteins are built like tanks.

Will do. Thanks!

RobotMachines wrote: I'm not sure which is the broken one and which is the good one.

Man I know this feeling. But if it takes 20 tons to compress one....thats probably the broken one?

Dang! Yeah, something must have broken internally for it to resist compression like that. Glad you figured it out.

Rich

Poo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Damn gravity.

I agree with 944-LT1, each should be compressible by hand.... that is how these are adjusted. I would call up and ask what a rebuild costs; i had some rebuilt 12 years ago and it cost $50ea back then, i am sure it has gone up tthough.
Bilstein sports are probably better for a street driven car with increased spring rates; i have them on my DD A4 Avant with lowering springs and sways, it is a nice stiff responsive ride on the smooth stuff and tolerable on the rough stuff.

I ordered the Bilstein shocks this morning.

I'm looking for a softer smoother ride now. Glad to have another confirmation of Bilstein quality and good to see so many familiar people on here.

RobotMachines wrote:I ordered the Bilstein shocks this morning.

I'm looking for a softer smoother ride now. Glad to have another confirmation of Bilstein quality and good to see so many familiar people on here.

If I remember correctly the Bilsteins are firmer than a Koni adjustable on the soft setting. They do seem to last forever, although my 83 and 90 Porsche had Koni's (full firm) on them with no issues.

Don't Koni's have a lifetime warranty?

RobotMachines wrote:....and good to see so many familiar people on here.

Its like old times!!

Arthropraxis wrote:Don't Koni's have a lifetime warranty?

As long as your the original buyer and have the reciept, YES!

Dawgz83948 wrote:

Arthropraxis wrote:Don't Koni's have a lifetime warranty?

As long as your the original buyer and have the reciept, YES!

I just found my old e-mail receipt from Paragon Products. I might look into having them fix it. Have to see if they'll honor an e-mail receipt.

944-LT1 wrote:

RobotMachines wrote:....and good to see so many familiar people on here.

Its like old times!!

Sure is


Hear is the beast waiting for the shocks to arrive...



Side note: When was the last time anyone used their headlight squirters?

RobotMachines wrote:

944-LT1 wrote:

RobotMachines wrote:....and good to see so many familiar people on here.

Its like old times!!

Sure is

Its just not the same without those yellow zip ties.....

RobotMachines wrote:Side note: When was the last time anyone used their headlight squirters?

I have made use of them in the winter months..... every other time was by accident.

948 wrote:

RobotMachines wrote:

944-LT1 wrote:

RobotMachines wrote:....and good to see so many familiar people on here.

Its like old times!!

Sure is

Its just not the same without those yellow zip ties.....

I'll be sure to dig them up to hold the seat wiring together... nothing better than some yellow zip ties

948 wrote:

RobotMachines wrote:Side note: When was the last time anyone used their headlight squirters?

I have made use of them in the winter months..... every other time was by accident.

Just throwing this out there while I work on the car (my Bilstein shocks showed up today)... does anyone know the proper torque specifications for the rear shock nuts on an 83' 944? Heading to the machine now to get this sucker on the road for tomorrow's commute.

EDIT: Yes, I can look it up but it's been awhile and it may take me a long time to find. Hivemind, may the power be with you

EDIT2: One shock in but not torqued. It's coming alive

Shock absorber to body bolt/nut 45 ft-lbs + 1 yellow zip tie
Shock absorber to steel trailing arm nut/bolt 45 ft-lbs + 4 yellow zip ties
Shock absorber to aluminum trailing arm bolt/nut 90 ft-lbs + 2 yellow zip ties

944-LT1, that is so funny, I think I peed a little!