Pics & Review of My Bilstein PSS10 Lowered Red Turbo by cannga

3 minute(s) of a 612 minute read

11-16-2012

Hi Art, thanks for the nice words and you're welcome.

1. The first version of Bilstein Damptronic was released around 2008. Many people have used the end link of first version without any problem whatsoever. My car's Bilstein is living proof: no wear, no break, no problem for 4 years.

2. A few people (very few - on this forum I would say maybe 3-4 per informal statistic, no flame pls if not accurate) had problems with the front Bilstein drop link: the front link would pop out of its socket. This was determined to be most likely, if not near certainly, to be due to the drop link being installed on the wrong side of the sway bar. In other words, installation error. Hard to understand this without a picture - I'll post the pic later. Since this correction was implemented, I don't recall seeing problem anymore.

3. Around 2011 (?) Bilstein then released the second version of Bilstein Damptronic, which AFAIK is identical to first one, except the front drop link has curves, instead of a straight bar like the first one. (Both version of Bilstein use the stock link in the rear.)

4. The bushing of the Bilstein drop link, while not as robust as an aftermarket or older unit, is identical to the OEM Porsche link. The reason is that Bilstein makes the OEM suspension also. So if it doesn't wear out on an OEM car, then there is no reason it should wear out on a Bilstein car, **unless** there are other factors involved. 

Ok so how do we reconcile 1 to 4? I don't know. If the original link is bad, why are there cars running with them without any problem, for many years now? I suspect (but not sure) that it has to do with **other factors**: what after-market sway bar is used, how much lower the car is dropped. For example, IMHO, if you drop the car too much and use after-market sway, the 3D geometry of the suspension system is altered such that the links no longer point in the direction they are supposed to, and forces are exerted sideway instead of straight on, etc. 

That said, I agree that after market drop link with metallic heim joint (as opposed to stock and Bilstein with rubber bushing), such as Tarett's, is an excellent addition. Replacement of rubber bushing with metallic heim joint makes the car feels more planted and less rubbery and the rear end has a lot less vertical and lateral "movement." (I've done A/B comparison of metallic vs. rubber drop links many times; the difference is as clear as night and day.). While many companies make these links, Tarett has been around forever, has impeccable reputation, and its prices are so cheap  that it remains my first choice. I would buy the Tarett links and give them to the second shop that you mentioned. Good luck and have fun. http://www.tarett.com/items/996-997-products/996-997-suspension/996-997-swaybars~drop-links/996-986-front-drop-link-set-996fdlnk-detail.htm