997.2 C4S suspension refresh - worth doing?

[997_2_C4S]

My 997.2 C4S is on 53000 miles and although there's nothing intrinsically wrong with the suspension except the front feels very slightly loose and very slightly 'clattery' over bumps my indy tells me it is fine. However I can't get over the sense that I should be refreshing the suspension and making it as new. It had top mounts done a year or so ago but everything else original. I guess my question is - gives the costs (as below) is it worth doing all of this, or some of this (ie not the shocks)

1. Front suspension - Refresh.

Parts cost:- Using Genuine Parts

Both Front shock absorbers - £980.22 + VAT
Both Front Lower Wishbones - £629.54 + VAT
Both Front Diagonal Control Arms - £353.24 + VAT
Both Front Anti-roll bar drop links - £121.60 + VAT

Parts Total - £2084.60 + VAT (Estimated)
Labour and carry out wheel alignment - £540.00 + VAT

2. Rear Suspension - Refresh

Parts Cost:- Using Genuine Parts.

Both rear shock absorbers - £888.46 + VAT
Both Rear lower wishbones & Bolts - £585.00 + VAT
Both rear diagonal control arms - £358.00 + VAT
Both rear anti-roll bar drop links - £88.24 + VAT
Both rear tie rods - £283.00 + VAT

Parts total - £2202.70 + VAT (Estimated)
Labour - £540.00 + VAT

Not interested in track work, lowering it more or anything that makes it firmer and would (probably) like to retain PASAM. Thoughts?

 

[Phil 997]

Have you considered the DSC pasm upgrade module , it transforms the set up , If the indy is saying all the mechanical components are good then it may be this is what you need . currently your PASM works as a single operation so they all react the same. this upgrade makes all four corners work independently as I am sure you can imagine , that makes a big difference . most that fit it say its how these cars should have come from the factory. :thumb: :thumb: mine is a gen2 4S as well :thumb:

 

[MarkC4S]

Useful info, I ponder the same question. For £6.5k I think I will wait until it needs doing.

 

[guyvert1]

If you're concerned with how it feels, I'd go to one of the specialist suspension guys or a very good porsche indie and discuss with them rather than layout that much cash!.

 

[tom_nieto]

Wow, no! That's a crazy amount of money to spend without good reason.

Take it to a specialist (we're lucky with Center Gravity in the Midlands) and see what they make of it.

You really shouldn't need a complete refresh after 50k and you would be better spending your cash on optimising the setup to your personal tastes. A DSC module is apparently a good start.

To be honest you probably need a full geometry, new tyres and a small amount of wear parts rather than replacing the lot, but hard to judge over the internet.

 

[MarkC4S]

Out of idle curiosity what is the approx. cost of a DSC PASM upgrade module?

 

[jonno_]

Mark - about £1k new
More of its a non turbo gen 1 as they need a 3 axis accelerometer.
Speak to Ken @ 9e

 

[Nimbus2b]

I can endorse the marvellous effect of fitting a DCS PASM module to the car. As it was said they should have come like it.
You do need to be sure that there is no undue wear in the suspension, the DSC can't repair it.
9e gave me the best price last year . Unless there is a big change in things you can expect to pay circa £1100, S/H ones appear on here regularly at around £800. Plug and play so no hidden cost on a Gen 2. Gen 1 needs a 3 axis accelerometer.

 

[rga997]

My 997.2 C4S is on 53000 miles and although there's nothing intrinsically wrong with the suspension except the front feels very slightly loose and very slightly 'clattery' over bumps my indy tells me it is fine. However I can't get over the sense that I should be refreshing the suspension and making it as new. It had top mounts done a year or so ago but everything else original. I guess my question is - gives the costs (as below) is it worth doing all of this, or some of this (ie not the shocks)

1. Front suspension - Refresh.

Parts cost:- Using Genuine Parts

Both Front shock absorbers - £980.22 + VAT
Both Front Lower Wishbones - £629.54 + VAT
Both Front Diagonal Control Arms - £353.24 + VAT
Both Front Anti-roll bar drop links - £121.60 + VAT

Parts Total - £2084.60 + VAT (Estimated)
Labour and carry out wheel alignment - £540.00 + VAT

2. Rear Suspension - Refresh

Parts Cost:- Using Genuine Parts.

Both rear shock absorbers - £888.46 + VAT
Both Rear lower wishbones & Bolts - £585.00 + VAT
Both rear diagonal control arms - £358.00 + VAT
Both rear anti-roll bar drop links - £88.24 + VAT
Both rear tie rods - £283.00 + VAT

Parts total - £2202.70 + VAT (Estimated)
Labour - £540.00 + VAT

Not interested in track work, lowering it more or anything that makes it firmer and would (probably) like to retain PASAM. Thoughts?

I'm going to be doing something similar to this.

Ordered Bilstein B16 for my .2 CS, replacing the front fork and 'coffin' arms.
Also replacing the inner tie rods and track rod ends as there's a slight degree of play in there (detected by 9e last year).

The tie rods/track rod ends are a common failure so maybe worth inspecting yours as well?

The rears all look ok to me and nothing came up on the check up from 9e, so leaving them for now.

Once the parts are all fitted up, I'll get it back to 9e for geo.

 

[MarkC4S]

How does the DCS imporve the ride? Pernsonally I find the sport setting too firm and the standard one nicely compliant and yet still sporting. Do you get the DCS to make it softer, firmer or just to have the ability to dial up something in between? Do you tend to set it up once and leave it or play with settings all the time? Excuse my ignorance.

 

[Alfaian]

I found that replacing the springs with H&R made a huge difference.

It's even better now with Michelin's PS4 on the front and full geometry done.

Shocks should be ok for another few miles yet IMO.

 

[Phil 997]

How does the DCS imporve the ride? Pernsonally I find the sport setting too firm and the standard one nicely compliant and yet still sporting. Do you get the DCS to make it softer, firmer or just to have the ability to dial up something in between? Do you tend to set it up once and leave it or play with settings all the time? Excuse my ignorance.

Most think the pasm too soft when off and too hard when in sport , the DSC makes the off feel less soft and sport not so crashy. when you hit a bump you feel the car stiffen so it doesn't crash off the bump , nose dive when braking is gone ,nose lift on pull away is gone , and its flat in the bends . It has a single set up from the box which is perfectly set for fast road cars the only time I hear guys getting it custom set is for track work. :thumb: I spend most of the time in sport now which is perfect as I can enjoy the improvements sport gives without losing fillings :grin: :thumb:

 

[MarkC4S]

Thanks Phil, most informative. Does sound like a good upgrade.

 

[pzero]

How does the DCS imporve the ride? Pernsonally I find the sport setting too firm and the standard one nicely compliant and yet still sporting. Do you get the DCS to make it softer, firmer or just to have the ability to dial up something in between? Do you tend to set it up once and leave it or play with settings all the time? Excuse my ignorance.

http://www.911uk.com/viewtopic.php?t=123535&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=0

A lengthy thread that administered a group buy but there is a fair bit of of useful information.

 

[System]

I have the same car and doing mine bit by bit and as and when required. Rear dampers were the first thing I did as these were weeping, and although not strictly necessary, I wanted the car to be perfect. Then went on to the tie rod ends which had a very small amount of play.

My car has 115,000kms on it now so the suspension needs keeping an eye on.