Possible bad shocks...need oppinion

[kyle986driver]

Hi everyone,
I have a 2000 non s with about 70,000 miles on it. recently(last few months) ive noticed that i have a ton of noise from my shocks when i hit bumps, I know my car was perfectly quiet a year ago. Also, I autox a couple times a month and noticed that my car dives like no other boxster ive seen racing, when hard on the brakes. This has always stood out to me but i just let it go. I recently talked to a guy at the dealer and he said that it sounded like my shocks have crapped out on me. So, what do you guys think, bad shocks? ive considdered it being my rear track arms but i really doubt that it is. The noise is from front and rear shocks.

i have also been considdering getting the bilstein HD shocks and eibach springs for my car when I get the money. I KNOW these shocks will be great for what I want, I dont care about ride quality. But, the springs, i worry will give me understeer because most aftermarket manufacturers' springs tend to understeer for laibility reasons.

Ok have at it, Let me know your oppinions!

-Thanks

[steve00s]

What do you mean by this?

"noticed that my car dives like no other boxster ive seen racing, when hard on the brakes. This has always stood out to me but i just let it go."

Are you getting frontend diving? body roll?

[CJ_Boxster]

Also discribe the noise you are hearing from the suspension please.

[Sputter]

What happens when you shove the corners down? What about when you push the car's corners sideways? Sounds/rocks/rolls?

[racer_d]

Take a moment and walk around the car, pushing each corner of the car down a couple of times and take note of the response.. Slow? quick? Firm? Oscillates a bit? You could also jack up the car and remove each wheel and look for signs of shock failure (like obvious fluid leaks).

While extreme amounts of dive towards the front, under braking, could be a sign of shock/spring limits, it could also be that you are braking harder than before too.

Regarless... Shocks and springs are not made to last a lifetime. They are wear items (the shocks certainly more so than the springs).

Shocks and springs are a system. While I can't recall what spring rates work well with the HD shocks, it is worth considering replacing these items all at once, otherwise you will pay twice for labor (since you need to take the car apart to replace shocks and springs)... and alignment.

I would also inspect other items like Ball joints, bushings etc that can also wear out, fatigue, crack with age and abuse.

[kyle986driver]

ok guys thanks for the responses.

First: When I apply full brakes the front end goes down a lot. The rear end hardly "squat" at all on hard acceleration. Yes I do have alot of body roll in cornering.

Second: The noise the shocks make is like hammers on steel at times, its brutal sounding.

Third: Pushing on a front quarter panel makes the whole car move a bunch side to side, and up/down. The shocks do squeak. when I push the car and it rocks, I can let go and the car will continue to rock for a second.

I know shocks do wear out but i just want to see what you guys think. I can check tomorow for shock leaks.

Thanks!