Converting a late Porsche 944 to Bilstein shocks

The video gives you a step by step tutorial how to convert a late Porsche 944 with the pressed Fichtel & Sachs shocks to Bilstein cartridges. In order to do this, the original strut has to be cut and a new sleeve with thread has to be welt in strut.
Das Video gibt eine Anleitung zum Umbau der verpressten Fichtel & Sachs Federbeine auf Bilstein Patronen. Hierzu muss das originale Federbein abgeschnitten werden. In dieses werden dann Buchsen mit einem Gewinde für die Bilstein Patronen eingeschweißt.
Видео туториал как заменить Подвеска макферсон «Фихтель и Сакс» на «Bilstein» картриджи для последнего выпуска Porsche 944 . Для этого необходимо разрезать оригинальную стойку и приварить новый рукав с резьбой для «Бильстейн» на который монтируем новый картридж.

[@ericnitrous9247]

You are the best Porsche mechanic I have ever seen. I always watch your video before working on mine because there are things that are possible to miss. Thank you. You are awesome.

[@irina25661]

+Mercy In Christ Hi, believe or not, I do the same, if I haven't done a repair for some time. Thanks for the comment, greetings, Jürgen

[@Covkiller]

Thank you for this video. You have solved my problem, as Porsche only has one right suspension strut. So I ordered some sleaves and Bilstein B6 dampers and will have them welded and finish them to the same standard as yours.

[@ch-lx2fl]

Thank you for this! I'm converting my '87 to Koni this weekend. Without this video I would be lost. I love your videos; and they are a great help to me!

[@marten2254]

Ein wirklich tolles Video und sehr beachtenswert welche Sorgfalt du an den Tag legst! Vielen Dank.

[@irina25661]

Danke für das Lob! Viele Grüße, Jürgen

[@WillemExist]

Thank you sir. You are inspiring me to fully restore my 944S2.

[@SAMMYJR00777]

YOU ARE THE MASTER ..... MECHANIC THE BEST....

[@ricksays7133]

The Koni cartridges looks easier to install than these Bilstein ones... that's a lot of work!

[@CosmicSeeker69]

but,, the overwhelming conscientious is; the the Bilstiens are a much better product ( change once,, or do you want to change twice?) - plus the improvement the B6 give to the 944 is very tangible..

[@1car2die4]

Mal wieder ein TOP Video. DANKE!!!

[@dmitryr5610]

Cheers! Thank you for all your informative videos, appreciated! Question for you, the insert/collar , I can not find it anywhere online. Do you know by chance who still make these? Kind regards, D

[@glow9999]

That seems like a lot of work for Bilstein shocks. Is there no direct replacements? Koni. KYB? I don’t have a vice, grinder, or welder for these modifications for Bilsteins. Great work though.

[@irina25661]

Hi, the probem is, that you can't open the S2 strut without destroying it. Thus for all other solutions, Porsche original, Koni etc, you'll need new struts. Greetings, Jürgen

[@StorcheiLP]

Hallo jürgen, weißt du aus dem stegreif wann von geschraubte auf verpresste federbeine umgestellt wurde? Also beim "normalen" 944 ). Wie immer super video. Beste grüße julius

[@irina25661]

Hallo, müsste alle Modell nach 86 betreffen, so schreibt es sportwagenparts im Katalog. Viele Grüße, Jürgen

[@StorcheiLP]

@@irina25661 Danke für die schnelle antwort👍

[@HSchreiner1992]

Hallo Jürgen, ich möchte in meinen S2 auch neu Stoßdämpfer einbauen, bin mir allerdings noch unsicher welche Marke ich nehmen soll... Wie zufrieden bist du mit den B6? sind diese nicht zu straff? Möchte meinen S2 nicht in eine "Hoppel-Kiste" verwandeln... Super Videos! ich schaue sie immer sehr gerne an! Grüße Hans

[@irina25661]

Hallo, wie soll man das aus der Ferne beschreiben, die B6 sind schon härter als die originalen, aber noch fahrbar, meine Frau hat nichts gesagt. Viele Grüße, Jürgen

[@Ilove4U2sing2]

Wow pretty intense and. Awesome!

[@benmuise2262]

14:42 Hoy cow! Look at that! It looks great!

[@kylelammie4621]

Another option for the counterhold socket with the window is to just grind two opposing flats on a socket and pass the hex wrench through the middle. Grab the socket with a fitting wrench and have at it.

[@KEIL450]

Hammmmmmer!! Bist Du Kfz-Meister, Mathematiker oder Ingeneur!? I schau Deine Videos sehr gern denn sie sind sehr lehrreich und gut sympathisch gemacht. Wenn auch ich es nicht zmsetzen kann. Besten Gruß Andi

[@irina25661]

Hallo Andi, die zwei hinteren Vermutungen waren schon nah. Ich habe in Physik promoviert. Das mit dem Umsetzen wird schon, es gibt ja Videos zu unterschiedlich schweren Reparaturen. Auch ich habe mit Auspuff-, Öl- und Bremsenwechsel begonnen. Viele Grüße, Jürgen

[@pauloconde2536]

Hello I have a Porsche 968 Coupe 1992, I suppose it also works? Coud you tell me how much I should cut the Shock Absorber?

[@brankoit]

Can you please tell me, can I convert my 87 944 turbo struts with Sachs oem shock? Thank you

[@julienmalschaert5029]

Great video - thanks! Would this method work for a 1986 944 Turbo with standard suspension?

[@irina25661]

Hi, I'm not sure, the early models had a screw cap on top of the strut. There the replacement of the dampers is rather easy. The shown procedure is for the struts without the screw cap. Thus replacing the damper is now possible for all Fichtel and Sachs. Greetings, Jürgen

[@quincylongman7469]

@@irina25661 Hallo aus Kanada! When you say “early cars” do you mean cars before the plastic turbo style bumpers became standard on all models? I am considering Bilsteins for my 87 944 but dont want to bother if its going to be more complicated than just putting the standard Sachs in. Danke!

[@bobsamuels8570]

No adapter sleeve available, sportwagenparts is closed, there is a motorcycle gland nut that can be used mz et250 listed out of the UK on ebay, out of stock.

[@carwashcrazy1]

Any solutions?

[@pablopicaro7649]

I had heard an earlier year Strut can be substituted. The earlier years had threaded caps. So strut cartridge can more easily be replaced.

[@irina25661]

Right, thus I wrote "late" 944 in the title. The old strut had already the thread which I weld in. Greetings Jürgen

[@bobsamuels8570]

The early strut with the cap can not be used with the 86 up spindle unless it is modified.

[@BryanWLepore]

How often should the oil in the strut be changed? Is this an advantage of the Bilstein/welded sleeve approach? I suppose if there's any drill holes - even with a bolt and a washer or seal in it - the oil will come out. I think this can be an issue with other strut modifications that can be found out there... not that I've tried...

[@irina25661]

Hi, the oil is forever. It has no mechnical sense, it improves only the heat contact of the cartriges to the outside. Thus it helps to cool the cartridge. The advantage of the Bilsteins is the price, because you have to replace only the cartridge and not the entire strut. Greetings, Jürgen

[@Joshua543215]

Moin irina, das hat Porsche wirklich sehr unglücklich gelöst. Aber schön wie du den Gewindeeinsatz eingearbeitet hast. Ich hätte es mit MIG geschweißt, die Naht ist viel sauberer als mit Elektrode, und die Güte ist auch besser. Allerdings sind Rohre auch nicht leicht "schön" zu schweißen. Beim Audi C4 ist diese Mutter bereits Original so, Antrieb ist eleganter und es wird ein kompletter Stoßdämpfer eingesetzt. Hattest du mein Spezialwerkzeug für den C4 verstanden? Seitdem ich das Fahrwerk beim C4 komplett gemacht habe, fährt der sich wie ein Neuwagen ! schon 4000 Km in einem Monat ! Gruß

[@irina25661]

+Josh Muhl Hallo, eine Mutter war schon am Golf I dran, auch die frühen 944 hatten eine. Nur die späten 944 haben dieses Problem. Der Umbau ist natürlich auch eine finanzielle Frage. Bei Porsche muss man die halben Federbeine kaufen und Porsche ist ja nicht gerade für seine günstigen Preise bekannt. Der Umbau liegt im Materialpreis gerade so bei der Hälfte der Ersatzteile. Viele Grüße, Jürgen

[@robbydolson2973]

I wish my girl would help with the Porsche service.She does not but when we ride I always forget my wallet for the gas.

[@LANTANSUN]

молодец!

[@BryanWLepore]

I can’t find your video of making the tool - 9186, I think?can you put a link here? Sorry for the dumb question.

[@irina25661]

I don't have a video for this tool, but for for the Bilstein nut. The same way you may produce the tool 9186. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n6msXpqDha59hLc Greetings, Jürgen

[@michaelschneider-]

+1. .. Super!

[@BryanWLepore]

Just for fun - is that suspension M030, M474, or... whatever other option there is? Or not?

[@irina25661]

Hi, no it's just the standard shock of the S2. Greetings, Jürgen

[@steffo2oo2]

#guteArbeit #gruß aus #NRW :-)

[@kl0br1ll3]

Na der Umbau hat wirklich die Bezeichnung Fahrwerksumbau verdient. Was für ein riesiger Aufwand, Wahnsinn. Schweißen ist aber anscheinend nicht so dein Fachgebiet. Hättest dir vieles an Arbeit sparen können. Und wenn man sich schwer tut schöne Nähte zu zaubern, Dann kann ich dir nur ein MAG Gerät empfehlen

[@irina25661]

Hallo, Schweißen ist in der Tat nicht meine Stärke, der Elektroden-Bräter ist auch schon 50 Jahre alt. Ich hatte mal in einem Fachforum gefragt, welches Gerät ich mir kaufen sollte, für den Preis hätte ich mir dann noch einen Porsche kaufen können. Und eigentlich brauche ich das Gerät vielleicht einmal pro Jahr. Viele Grüße, Jürgen

[@kl0br1ll3]

irina25661 wenn es günstig sein soll dann einfach irgend ein Mag Gerät. Klar kann man eine fronius oder ähnliches kaufen. Aber die Kosten paar tausend Euro und sind eher was für eine Schlosserei

[@BryanWLepore]

Nice work - Who made the spring compressor?

[@irina25661]

+Bryan Lepore Hi, the spring compressor isn't made by me. I bought it many years ago. Regards, Jürgen

[@BryanWLepore]

+irina25661 the 180-deg brace looks good - where can we get one?

[@BryanWLepore]

+irina25661 ... meaning the tool?... Or I don't know, just the brace?

[@irina25661]

Hi, the spring compressor I bought at Conrad shop many years ago. Greetings, Jürgen

[@BryanWLepore]

+irina25661 It's impossible for me to find a compressor like yours. Oh well - maybe a good reason to visit the EU.

[@swfladad6983]

Is a 1988 944 bade model the same procedure for rebuilding the front struts ?

[@irina25661]

Hi, yes, the video applies for all models with basic struts since 87. Greetings, Jürgen

[@swfladad6983]

The base model 1988 porsche 944 is getting original type strut cartridges installed. I have to bend the 4 tabs on top with a chisel and hammer correct ? And then if I can't, I need to use my cutting wheel to cut the top of instead ? These are original type struts so would I still need to cut the strut housing that much shorter ? The cartridges are the same length as the ones I'm trying to remove. Then after either bending the 4 tabs up, or cutting the top off, and replacing old strut cartridge with a new one, either bend the 4 tabs back down or weld the cap back on, correct ? I apologize for so many questions but I want to make sure that I'm doing it right. I'm 53 years old and have been working on vehicles since I was 15, but this is the first porsche I've ever worked on. I've replaced plenty of struts and also rebuilt plenty of struts. But I've never encountered the issues I'm having trying to replace the strut cartridges in this 944. Thank you so much.

[@oliverg.parker3600]

Hi, you said in the video you would put a link to the supplier of the collar. Do they have a website? Thanks.

[@irina25661]

+Oliver G. Parker Hi. at 0:26 you see the homepage. The address is: www.sportwagenparts.de/ The collar itself you'll find at: www.sportwagenparts.de/shop_content.php?coID=82 Regards, Jürgen

[@irina25661]

+irina25661 Hi Oliver. If you don't see my last answer with the links, check your spam. Regards, Jürgen

[@oliverg.parker3600]

+irina25661 Jürgen, Thanks for your help. I now see that the link was also in the video, so I should have been watched it more closely! How do you find the Bilstein B6 shock absorbers on your S2? I have a set of Koni items on mine at the moment and one of them is leaking and I am thinking about going for the Bilstein option (hence my interest in this video), but am concerned that they may be quite stiff. Also, you re-used the original springs. Did you think about changing them too? Thanks.

[@irina25661]

Oliver G. Parker Hi Oliver, the B6 are stiff, but you are right I have seen VWs which have been stiffer. I reused the springs, because they have been still okay. Regards, Jürgen

[@oliverg.parker3600]

Jurgen, Coming back to this ... I did this modification to my S2 a year ago and it is simply superb! The Bilstein struts are far and away better than the Fitchel and Sachs items or the Koni's I had on there before. Many thanks for your helpful video.

[@BryanWLepore]

What is the hardener for? Can the sanding be skipped?

[@BryanWLepore]

... also, are you planning to do the rod bearings / oil pan gasket? :^)

[@irina25661]

Hi, which hardener? The sanding is to make it smooth, the color looks better after sanding. At the moment, I have no intention in the direction of tod bearings or the oil pan gasket. The next video will be about the steering gear. Greetings, Jürgen

[@nevillezahra3876]

@irina25661 what is the part number for the adaptor sleeve? keep up these KZbin videos. they are excellent

[@irina25661]

Hi, the don't have a part number, I bought them from a guy how made some hunderd, but he isn't selling them to US, the customs affair is too complicate for him. Greetings, Jürgen

[@nevillezahra3876]

irina25661 I’m in Europe not from the US

[@irina25661]

@@nevillezahra3876 Hi, I bought the parts here: sportwagenparts.eu/p/swp-einschweisshuelse-passend-fuer-schraubgewindestossdaempfer-z-b-b6-fuer-modelle-nach-1986 Greetings, Jürgen

[@nevillezahra3876]

irina25661 thank you Jurgen

[@nevillezahra3876]

@@irina25661 Good morning, is the nut for the sleeve included or do I have to order that separately ?

[@BryanWLepore]

Any reason not to cut threads on the strut?

[@irina25661]

Hi, I am not sure if the diameter fits to the needed thread and if the material is strong enough. The sleeves used have been already available when I made the video. Greetings Jürgen

[@yanklopez4742]

Hallo, guten video.could you tell me part number for the struts inserts.danke.

[@irina25661]

Hi, the sleeves or the Bilstein shocks? Regards, Jürgen

[@yanklopez4742]

@@irina25661 the Bilstein shocks please and thank you .

[@irina25661]

Should be Bilstein 34-001042. Greetings, Jürgen

[@yanklopez4742]

@@irina25661 Danke .

[@mockngbrdy]

does sportwagen.de deliver worldwide? i cannot find the weld-in sleeve anywhere else :(

[@irina25661]

+louis soon Hi, sportwagenparts delivers only within the European Union. Greetings Jürgen

[@mockngbrdy]

+irina25661 anyone can help ship?

[@BryanWLepore]

44.5 mm - can you clearly specify where on the strut the zero mark is for this?

[@irina25661]

Hi, there is a PDF available in the WEB. Just use Google. Greetings, Jürgen

[@tomatothomas]

@@irina25661 Hi, great video! I've been trying to find the PDF and have googled everything I can think of! Can you provide a link or at least let me know what I should google?! Many thanks!

[@firebird467]

Where do I get the threaded part? Link please...

[@irina25661]

Hi, try www.sportwagenparts.de for example. Write an Email to the owner [e-mail] Greetings, Jürgen

[@firebird467]

@@irina25661 Danke

[@rstarz]

Just to mention, the ATF is worthless with the Bilstein due to the inverted nature of them.

[@irina25661]

+RUSTYSHACKLEFORDZZZ Hi, NO! The oil has of course no mechanical sense, but it acts as cooling medium enhancing the heat contact. I explained this in the video. Regards, Jürgen

[@rstarz]

+irina25661 Jürgen, all you are doing is "cooling" the case and air. As mentioned, the reason why the Bilstein is so thick is because it is inverted. If you could take that case off, you will find the shaft going through it along with an internal bump stop. The cooling comes from cooling the body, which has direct contact with airflow, being that the shock is inverted. All you are doing is wasting ATF and making a mess if you ever need to replace the insert (with Bilstein, luckily, they should last quite a while, if not the life of the car).

[@irina25661]

RUSTYSHACKLEFORDZZZ When the cartridge is in the old strut, the cooling is limited, because the cartridge has pratically no contact with the strut. The air in between is a good insulation, By the way, the use of ATF oil in this situation follows the workshop manual of Porsche. Also the 2/3 are mentioned there. Regards, Jürgen

[@XtaticVideo]

чего у него только нет))