Front Suspension

[andrea70]

Hallo!

I'd like to understand, from somebody who make the experience, the differences between the original 1968 S front suspension group (the complete system) and the later 3.2 system, with alu strut, and other amenities.

I don't care about costs, only driving feeling especially during "race oriented driving".

thanks a lot
Andrea

[speedo]

Andrea...pm sent

[911pcars]

Hallo!

I'd like to understand, from somebody who make the experience, the differences between the original 1968 S front suspension group (the complete system) and the later 3.2 system, with alu strut, and other amenities.

I don't care about costs, only driving feeling especially during "race oriented driving".

thanks a lot
Andrea

Later front suspension uses 24mm rotors and slightly wider "A" calipers to accommodate the thicker rotors. The shock inserts are different.

The suspension crossmember is aluminum; early versions are steel.

The front sway bar is an "under chassis type". Suggest this be removed and replaced by the earlier thru-chassis SB and the correct drop link-to-control arm hardware attachment to the control arms

Hope this helps,
Sherwood

[Grady Clay]

Very good question.

Much of this has been discussed on Pelican.

The ’69 and later front suspension can completely replace the suspension from ’65-’68. It has to be replaced in its entirety – not piecemeal. Yes, it feels much better. So much so, I would never consider changing back from my conversion of my ‘still new’ ’68 in early 1970. I still have the ‘almost new’ original parts.

The entire design of the front suspension geometry was changed – for the better. Other than the 930 Turbo, M491 and some race variations, the suspension has remained basically unchanged through ’89.

This is not to say there haven’t been significant improvements over those years. The initial ‘pinch bolt’ for the ball joint pin was changed to a ‘wedge pin’ in ’72 (never use the early version – it is dangerous). The hub got the wheel centering feature in ’74 and the spindle was enlarged. The Carrera came with improved rotors and calipers. An important difference among struts is the caliper bolt spacing. The 3.5” spacing allows for larger brakes.

In ’74 the front sway bar was moved to under the chassis. It is an easy mod to have the earlier ‘through the body’ version with better bearings and adjustable linkage.

Most of the ’72 and later struts allow for repositioning the spindle on the shock tube and adding reinforcements. This allows for a lowered chassis while maintaining proper geometry.

When using good old used parts, careful inspection is in order. The spindle is a ‘life critical’ component. The shock tube at the spindle is a potential weak point. New ball joints and tie rod ends should always be installed.

Best,
Grady

[davep]

Grady, I have read where the suspension design changed in late 1968 model year to the 69 and later style. This allowed the 3.5" S calipers to be mounted on suitable struts. Do you know when, or with what VIN's this occurred?