Suspension upgrade report

So, another post hoping for wisdom and advice from the Collective (this forum is certainly good for that - which is appreciate!) As previously reported I recently had new Bilstein B6 dampers all round along with new coffin arms, tuning forks, and front top mounts, bump stops and bearings. Also had both steering track rod ends replaced. Then the whole thing had a 4 wheel alignment and complete set of P Zero Rosso‘s 225 / 285 on 18’s Car feels much better in most situations - the steering is firmer with more feel and the rear end of the car is massively improved, before it would crash over bumps (even after the engine mounts were replaced) and really move around, now it just feels really planted. My question is around the front of the car. Despite better steering, it still feels very light over the motorway limit and moves around quite a lot. Now I know a C2 is always going to do that. I generally keep the tank full or not less than half full to keep a decent amount of weight over it. To be honest although I’ve had a 996.2 C2 before many years ago I honestly can‘t remember how much it moved around so don’t know if I’m just being over sensitive? Can‘t compare it to Mrs T’s 991, as its totally different and 4WD so feels much heavier around the front end. So really looking to see am I just being paranoid or should the front feel more planted than it does?. I’m thinking maybe I should put some weight in the frunk and try that? I’m running 36 / 44 PSI tyre pressures as per the book and should also mention it’s a non PSM car. Thoughts and advice very much appreciated as always! Thanks All Chris

Forget about weights, forget about more fuel. You need a better setup. If everything has been fitted properly and your tyre pressures are correct and symmetrical, then a good geo at someone like Center Gravity will cure any floaty feeling at the front. The car will drive as you want it to and be fully planted and confidence inspiring. A regular geometry place will tell you the car is 'within tolerances' and off you go. Center gravity will set the car up to your exact specifications or to what he suggests based on what you want from the car, and he'll do it to the mm. The car will be better than factory when it leaves his garage.

As above, Center Gravity are one of the best, if not the best and well worth a visit regardless of distance. Good luck Andy

Thanks gents - CG are actually only about a 40 min drive from where I live and I’ve heard a lot of positive things about them, so certainly worth giving them a try. I‘ve dropped them a line describing the issue and will hopefully get it booked in over the next couple of months!

The caster angle can affect high speed stability in a straight line and tramlining, if it out of spec. However, this is should be in spec, if you have the correct top mounts fitted as this should be dialled in already.

I dropped the tyres pressures 4psi front and rear on mine. Didn’t help the wandering feeling you’re experiencing but was much more compliant with the M030 suspension.

Thanks all. Booked in with Centre Gravity on 8th December, so we’ll see what they say! And I’ll update the thread post the visit.

Tizzy, I can wholeheartedly agree with the CG recommendations. I'm going to be booking mine in for Dec/Jan, I also have a C2 2002 996.2 C2 Cab. (It's a 300mile round-trip for me, but worth every mile) I took my 944 to them back in September and they did a fantastic job for me, the car was surprising well set-up to begin with (more by chance than design), but they are so knowledgeable and meticulous. I asked advice for my 996 at the time and I'm going through a similar process to yourself now. I'm replacing all coffin arms, tuning forks and shocks. (Though I'm not getting the same undesirable light feeling at speed, in-fact I love the way the 996 feels at speed) I'm going for Koni special active on the advice of CG (for my driving wishes). You won't regret it.

Thanks Phil, that’s a solid endorsement. They were really good on the phone and the quoted price pleasantly surprised me as well. Roll on 8th Dec. Cheers Chris

Chris is the best in the business. Enjoy the test drive before the work begins, let us know what speed he manages around that roundabout ??

My 2004 996 C4 has covered 100k miles and had much work done by previous owners. The handling feels crisp and compliant over bumps, with no crashing or noises. The only issue I have is that there is a rather unnerving floating feeling at the front when going over 90mph. The steering doesn’t wander or tramline at all, but just feels very light at speed. I’m running Rosso 18 inch tyres with plenty of tread. Does this sound normal when in every other respect the car feels totally planted? Kind regards Rod Cates

That’s pretty similar to the symptoms that mine suffers from as described at the start of the thread - even after complete suspension rebuild. Mine goes light at the front above about 80 mph which I’ll hazard a guess as a C2 there’s less weight in the front. It’s also tramlining on tight corners at lower speeds. Following the strong endorsements both on here and from other folks I know, it’s heading into Center Gravity on 8th December so as soon as I have the results from that visit I’ll update the thread as it seems to have attracted quite a lot of interest! Cheers Chris

Having recently had my suspension upgraded by Center Gravity, i can recommend them most highly, they will set the car up for the way you want to drive it. I had the same lightness at speed from the front wheels, actually quite unnerving, that no longer occurs and it is quite amazing how good an 18 year old car with 100,000 miles on the clock can be when set up correctly. I went out yesterday for a blast (Yoga for arms and legs), it feels very planted at speed for a C2.

Thanks for advice. I have been in contact with CG and I have just watched the recorded zoom Session from earlier this year. My wife asked me last night what I wanted for Christmas I think I know the answer!

Another recommendation for CG. Had my C4 setup there last year and made a positive difference. Just a suggestion, CG will ask you lots of questions about how you drive and what you want the car to do. Preparation and being clear what you are trying to do makes it all easier!

Update: I spent yesterday afternoon and well into the evening at Center Gravity, with Chris giving my 996.2 his undivided attention throughout. Without going into the full details, there was plenty that needed looking at and also some improvements to give the specific driving feel and experience I wanted. Although early to report in detail, I’ve already done over 100 miles in both wet and dry conditions and the car feels very different. No more tramlining and most importantly no more scary lifting feeling at higher speeds. So I’d 100% endorse all of the positive feedback on here for CG and would thoroughly recommend giving them a try if you‘ve handling issues, or just want your car to behave in a certain way. I would also say that I have never witnessed such attention to detail and meticulous approach to work in anywhere I’ve ever been with any of the cars I own. Thanks Chris

Another day, another happy customer post CG! Now your car is how it should be - brilliant! So what speed did he manage round that roundabout and was it wet?

Sadly because of Covid Regs you can‘t go out in the car with him at present - though he does shoot a video. It was very wet, but I suspect his roundabout speed was a lot faster post the adjustments than pre! ??

Hah fair enough. He always scares the life out of me pushing it round and round. Its incredible how much time he will spend on the car making it perfect. My first visit started at 10am and I left at 2am! Well worth it.

Glad it's sorted for you Chris and glad the endorsement was justified. They are certainly great value for money IMO. I'm on the waiting list for my front Koni shocks which I ordered back in October before I take it back to CG for the same treatment.