Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

What are the pros and cons of each set? Ive got an early car but have acquired a set of later struts with the S2 style top mounts I believe.

I was told they were from a 944S but I dont think they are.

Pt number 944 343 032 18

Looking to make myself a good set up with the best of what I have plus a new set of dampers. So any advice appreciated!

Hi, according to the PET part number 944 343 031 17 and number 944 343 032 17 are for the 87 onwards 944/944S. So it looks like yours are later than that, so possibly they are S2? I am sure that someone else will come along with some experience on changing later and early parts with regards compatibility. I think the later mount is quite expensive and a sealed one-piece unit, whereas the earlier one could be broken down a bit...this might make them a little more flexible in application, so I suppose it depends what you want to achieve.

Well I've fitted the top mounts to the original shockers so I know they fit. But id like to know if they're any better or worse ECT. I take it if the bearings are shot they arnt rebuildable? I thought I could press the bearing out and just go down the brammer and get some replacements?

Im looking into complete struts vs inserts. It would appear one of my struts has a threaded top and the other is crimped. Is the crimped one unchangable?

My dampers don't do.anything all my front end is all on the springs so I need something asap

I rebuilt mine, getting the old bearings out is a pain, you need to grind off the 5 little tabs then new bearings are cheap but not availble with the 10.05mm internal bore so you need to make inserts, its in my "more ppictures needed thread"

Hi, I read your thread "more pictures needed" wow...absolutely brilliant renovation work and incredible attention to detail throughout, you have an amazing car there! Makes mine look like I've only done 50% (if that..) However, in my defence I was working to a really tight budget. Hopefully, round two will take it further and you have given me a shedload of trips and tricks, bl**dy brilliant

Anyway, back on topic...I was just wondering about the rebuild of the top mounts, once the tabs have been ground out, what have you done to locate and hold the new bearing? Also, where did you get the sleeve insert from (approx. cost too?)..thanks.

I would like to have a read, but I cant find it. Just been back 6 pages and I cant see it. anyone got a link please?

Thanks very much, interesting reading. Looks straight forward enough for me.

Does anyone have the pros and cons of the early and lates? and whether I can do inserts on my struts?

Thanks Simon
My car's still in the body shop (2 months now) the battery tray is in boot, I pick the car up next friday maybe too late to powdercoat before xmas but I haven't forgot and will send ASAP...

Back on Topic

The inserts were make at a local engineering company I got them free but I would not expect to pay more than £15 for the pair,
I bashed the tabs back best I could and then used Locktite bearing loc to hold in place!

I was reading your thread thinking why did I spend so much when you did it equally as well for a fraction of the cost
I don't think you need tips from me.....before I started this I didn't know how to check the oil level let alone change it
great work keep it up.....and post the pictures

back on topic again

The late top mounts (87 - on) have a 4° slant to correct for the different angle of the McPherson strut found on the later cars with the longer wishbones.

If you fit late top mount to an early (short wishbone) car, you will be putting a side load on the struts and top mount bearings - not great.

Thanks, thats the sort of thing I wanted to know. I best get my early ones rebuilt before I do to many miles on the ole girl. Ive got myself some new dampers to go on. And shes going to be stood for a while as our roads are heavily salted now

That is good info to know and really makes sense with respect to the different geometry of the early/later cars, etc. Nice one!

She had a good wash and wax just before Christmas, hopefully that should keep some shite at bay! I still need to get to town inside. But the seats need to come out so I can waxoyl the sills. Something I will do this month.

Currently Im working on rebuilding my top mounts as the old ones are rather squared and the bearings feel like stepper motors! I thought I was on to a winner as I got hold ofa pair of S2 style ones for free and put them on, but I was later informed they have a 4 degree steeper angle on them to compensate for the longer wishbone on the later car. This has obviously changed the geometry and handling.

Whilst removing the struts one of my eccentric bolts really disagreed with being removed, just started to take the corners off of the hex. Hence a new pair will be here monday.

Next I turned to getting hold of the correct top mounts or rebuild kits. Cheap they are not over £60 each. Not being prepared to spend that sort of money research ensued.

An american forum claimed the mounts were the same as a VW fox and even gave the correct part number. Ordered some bearing fora fox and guess what, completely different!

Next I went to the motorfactors to see what they could find out. Nothing listed. ARSE. I got them to fetch a VW fox top mount out, it couldnt look more different. After 45 minutes they managed to ref it against something else and off I went happy as larry thinking it was sorted.

Again no joy, the diamter was too big. In anger I went back to my starting thread, took the part number for the VW fox and search through all the shops all over again. BING the answer appears before me VW fox 1987. The stupid bloody americans call a VW JETTA a VW Fox so no wonder I couldnt find the right part.

5 Seconds of looking for jetta top mounts reveals they're basically the same, just a slight tapper difference on the rubber cone. So Ive got a pair on the way which are due at lunch time.

Thought I best get the old parts blasted up ready.

Better photos as promised

[img width=800 height=600]http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/broady_6/P944/P1010945_zpsb04c4918.jpg[/img]

[img width=800 height=600]http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/broady_6/P944/P1010944_zps74a286eb.jpg[/img]

[img width=800 height=600]http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d145/broady_6/P944/P1010946_zpsbf0b4983.jpg[/img]