Rear Struts. Replace both? - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

RandallNeighbour · 05-12-2005, 08:04 AM

Thought I had a bent up sub frame so I took my car to a body shop.

The body shop owner put the car on a new laser-based four wheel alignment machine and determined that a front control arm was bent (explaining why it pulled to the right a bit) and that a rear strut was bent and needed replacement, which is causing the back wheels to be

My question is this: Do I have to replace both rear struts at the same time, or can I simply replace the one that is bent?

The car is a 1997 and I am not sure if the struts have ever been replaced.

Background info: I bought this car 4th hand and it was abused before I got it... I've not been doing ANY curb surfing or wrecked the car since it was in my possession. Just thought I'd add this to keep the non-question-related posting to a minimum!

Brucelee · 05-12-2005, 08:40 AM

As long as you are under there, I would do the second strut. The incremental costs will be minimal and then you will have the wheels aligned and things will be all set.

If you don't then when you do the next strut, you need to do the alignment again.

IMHO!

99-Boxster-MK · 05-12-2005, 09:47 AM

To me all suspension work should be paired up. Just like you would never change one tire, I would never change one suspension component.

Mike

RandallNeighbour · 05-12-2005, 10:38 AM

Two more questions.

1. How do I know if my 97 has a sport suspension or not? Is there a code somewhere that shows it?

2. Vertex Auto has Bilstein struts (heavy duty, not sport) for the rear for $195.00 anyone know where I can get a better deal?

Brucelee · 05-12-2005, 10:50 AM

Your dealer can give you the build codes. All he needs is your VIN#.

If it were me, I would stick with OEM unless you replace all four.

IMHO!

Good luck!

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

Two more questions.

1. How do I know if my 97 has a sport suspension or not? Is there a code somewhere that shows it?

2. Vertex Auto has Bilstein struts (heavy duty, not sport) for the rear for $195.00 anyone know where I can get a better deal?

YellowJacket · 05-12-2005, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandallNeighbour

Background info: I bought this car 4th hand and it was abused before I got it... I've not been doing ANY curb surfing or wrecked the car since it was in my possession. Just thought I'd add this to keep the non-question-related posting to a minimum!

Maybe if you didn't trash your car and run it into curbs, you wouldn't need new struts!!!

Just kidding

I would go with replacing the pair together, for reasons mentioned above -- incremental cost and pairing everything from side to side.

For my money, the Boxster is already the perfect combination of handling and ride quality -- I wouldn't mess with that by going aftermarket.

Brucelee · 05-12-2005, 12:00 PM

"For my money, the Boxster is already the perfect combination of handling and ride quality -- I wouldn't mess with that by going aftermarket."

Amen!

bigislandboxster · 05-12-2005, 12:22 PM

I was recently looking up the same info regarding options on my '98, and I believe the option codes are located when you open the front hood at the top.....There are a bunch of 3 digit codes up there, and I believe the 030 number is the sport suspension designation....Somebody else might want to chime in to confirm this as I am a bit new at all this still

Lou

Lux · 05-12-2005, 12:38 PM

If your front control arms are bent, chances are that the front struts are on their way out too (from curb hopping or otherwise).

I would suggest you replace all 4 struts. Even if the front ones are ok, they're getting a bit old since your car is a '97. Pairing them up with brand new rears could make the handling funky.

BTW, Bilstein makes the original Boxster struts.

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YellowJacket · 05-12-2005, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lux

BTW, Bilstein makes the original Boxster struts.
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All the more reason to stick with stock. Bilstein is a quality company, and I'm sure if they built something specifically for the Boxster, it's more custom-tuned than the already great products they have on the aftermarket.

RandallNeighbour · 05-13-2005, 06:42 AM

Thanks for all the input on struts.

If I replace all four, does anyone know if I can go with the sport struts instead of heavy duty and not mess up my car?

Are the sport struts stiffer and make the ride harder? I really do not want that as my wife won't ride with me now and I don't do any track time.

Brucelee · 05-13-2005, 06:45 AM

Seems the standards struts as OEM with your 97 is the way to go!

Perfectlap · 05-13-2005, 07:23 AM

yes, definitely change all four if your cash account can swing it. Better to get the full effect and your bum will thank you for it. A new suspension can make a car feel like brand new again.

Lux · 05-13-2005, 09:52 AM

Don't go with the Sports if you are not running aftermarket/lowering springs. The SP struts are a little shorter and are made for lowered cars. HD's should be fine for stock height. They should feel slightly firmer due to being new.

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RandallNeighbour · 05-13-2005, 09:56 AM

Thank you Lux and everyone else too.

I will try to save my pennies and buy four and have my mechanic install them unless someone thinks I can do it. I do have that "I can do anything I set my mind to do" attitude about life, and it would save me enough to buy my own floor jack and jack stands!

Perfectlap · 05-16-2005, 03:47 PM

I have watched several shock installations and sometimes even on the lift it requires two guys to do the job. This is one area you don't want to cut corners on.

Cold Warrior · 05-16-2005, 07:49 PM

From my 2000 S. The struts are the OEM struts with ~23k miles on them and the springs are H&R sport springs. I'm selling them as a combo ($250) or separately ($200 for the springs, $100 for the struts). The price does not include shipping unless you are in SoCal or nearby. NorCal can be free shipping also, but would have to coincide with personal trips there. Let me know if this helps at bruinbro@sbcglobal.net.

CW

ETA: I know Randall is in TX, but he might come to CA or have connections.