New Shocks

Hi, The shock absorbers on my 2002 996 Targa need replacing. Could anyone recommend a manufacturer who might have something a little softer than standard please?

Excuse me? Softer? :floor: What tyres and pressures are you running? As reducing the pressures by a few psi can make a dramatic change to the ride comfort.

most aftermarket sets are normally set to be harder and sportier, unless you get a fully adjustable set and turn it to all the way down Could be tyre pressure, anti roll bar setting issue causing the ride issues How many miles do you have ? OEM shocks are fine for normal driving

Wow, that has to be the first request of it's type. Sometimes it's not the firmness but the quality of the shock and it's tuning. Let's not forget that it's not the shock that makes the hardness it's the spring, the shock should only dampen the spring. Softer springs therefore with a matched shock is where you need to be. Putting in a softer shock with the same springs will just make the car a pogo stick. If however you get a softer spring I would recommend a you ensure your ride height is sufficient to cope with the extra travel the suspension will move for the equivalent bump.....

May i suggest a visit to the local Benz or Jag Dealership? :floor: No seriously, try adjusting the tyre pressure as Damian suggested. The recommended pressures in the manual are about 2-4psi too high depending on your chosen preference. How many miles has your car covered btw? These shocks are pretty robust and are supposed to last some serious mileage before needing to be changed. Are they faulty in anyway? Taran :?:

Well thats started an interesting debate! I love Porsches, I've had a 944 s2,968, boxter, and now a 966 Targa. I'm 60 next birthday and slowing down a little. Don't go over 100mph(honest officer) and don't track day. Love the marque and will never buy any other, just want a little softer ride.

what tyre pressures are you running - 911's are not renowned for a particularly soft ride but if you are running recommended pressures then it can be rather harsh - Simon

When your shocks are knackered that can cause you to feel like the ride is hard - but you are feeling the car bottoming out etc. instead of the shocks controlling the response to the road - so I suggest you take the car somewhere professional and ask the questions before putting an expensive solution in...... LJ

Took your advice and reduced tyre pressures to 32 front and 40 rear and thats made a marked improvement, thanks. Will it affect tyre wear do you think?

You'll generate enough heat on a drive to put the pressures up to optimal levels so tyre wear will be pretty much as before. Just remember when it gets colder ie. come winter time to put the pressure back up.

Hi, I would definitely check that your shock absorbers really need changing. I had problems with my Targa ride (which generally sounded worse, because of the creaking roof). Have you considered the bushes at all and what problem are you actually feeling/hearing that makes you think that you want a softer ride? Things to consider: a) Making sure that your track arms and bushes are ok b) Adjusting the psi in the wheels c) Potentially swapping 18" for 17" wheels d) Make sure you don't have the seat on the lowest setting...just moving it up one notch on my car has made a massive difference to the ride (plus getting the front track arms replaced)!!! e) Worn suspension will generally make the car feel harder, so new standard Porsche shocks and springs will make the car feel a lot softer than it does now (if they are worn). Cheers, GD

All a great help.Thank you. I've got the car booked in next week with a brief for them to give the running gear a complete going over.

I've set my pressures at 32/36 as opposed to the 44 Porsche suggest for the backs...handles well and the ride quality is amazing even on London's appaling roads. The other thing to check- does your car has sports chassis? If so it will have a code on the sticker in the service book (at the front with chassis nos) '030' . This will also be on the sticker under the front boot lid. If it does then expect a poor ride quality. The change from 17" to 18" on my car has not affected the ride particulaly. AS GD said - the anti roll bar bushes can start to rattle as can the lower arms so do have these looked at also.