[928uk] Skid plates grounding - suspension?

Sun Oct 18 21:46:22 UTC 2015

Hi Brian

What mileage is your car? I expect the shocks are original, and they are generally knackered by around 75000 miles though you only notice difference with new ones!

I would put grounding down to low ride height - springs don't really wear.

If you change the Boges then if your adjusters are seized you will need new adjuster collar and adjuster nut at the least. Other parts can be checked as you take them off the old shock but could be fine. The spring perches may just need cleaning up and you may want to paint them. Replace if you find serious rust.

On new shocks at correct height the ride is firm over bumps but beautifully controlled and not at all harsh. I changed my 75000 mile front shocks and springs (got a new front pair pretty cheap, and they look so smart compared with originals!) and the difference in ride was amazing even though I had replaced the rears not long ago. Went from crashy over speed bumps etc to very controlled and sophisticated ride. Maybe most of this was down to setting correct ride height (like yours they were at least 10mm too low but it's probably best change I've made to my S4 in terms of improving ride and handling. You get so used to deteriorating suspension that you can be unaware of how far it has degraded from performance designed at factory. 

Cheers

Adrian 

iPhone therefore I am

> On 18 Oct 2015, at 22:27, Brian Butterworth via 928uk <928uk at lists.928.org.uk> wrote:
> 
> Had a great drive out with TIPEC NW, 150 miles over the North Yorkshire moors taking in Hawes and the Buttertubs Pass.  It would be fair to day the roads have some undulations and aren’t track day smooth, but my ’88 S4 seems to be bottoming on the skid plates more than ever before.
> Braking was a matter of do I need to slow this much or can I let the car ground?
> When the alignment was carried out the ride height was 10mm below the optimum 175mm, all round.  The collars are seized so changing the height with these shocks isn’t going to be happen.
> The shocks are grey, so I assume Boge and possibly originals or at least half the age of the car, no evidence in the history file.  How do I check my suspension, the MOT method of does it recover from a bounce on the corner doesn’t seem comprehensive enough.  I’m no handling expert but the car seem harsh on rough roads / pot holes yet bouncy mid corner, I said I’m no expert.
>  
> If I buy Porsche original shocks (Boge) will I also need new threaded ring, collar, boot, bump stop etc. as mine are seized, and possibly springs?
>  
> The original question was regarding grounding, I assume this is ride height / suspension compression related only?
>  
> Brian
> 88 S4 auto
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