The Definitive Suspension Parts List

Where would you put the Koni FSD / Special Active dampers in that running order?
they were supposed to be somewhere between OEM and Monroe. Can't say I found that myself, but it's been a long time since I had them in and they were truly bad when fully laden. The B8s are better in that respect.
I don't know of anyone on the German forum who is happy with FSDs / Special Active and the only thing I know of being recommended is Bilstein.

- Bret
 
If I trade up to b8s and stick with the weitec springs I'm guessing the feel will go a fair way back to coilover feel without the harshness.

It's a lot of cash (again) but I've a feeling I may have to bite the bullet.

Any guidance on what / where to pickup rear arb? I'll stick with current stock front arb for now

So just a little update and lesson for myself. I was about to press the trigger on b8's front and back from buycarparts / autodoc but decided to take the car out again just there before I did so. I've been away for the last couple of days so did give me some time to think away from the car.

Result - car is better than I remembered and to be fair i think I initially panicked when the car felt floaty then realised new shocks need bedded in - and thats what I presume has happened here. Car has put on around 70 miles since I fitted now and the steering feel is back from feeling delayed, and I feel in control again.

The suspension is not as firm as before but still firm and I think the addition of rear arb will help the cornering hopefully so that will be bought.

I'm fairly sure the b8's would be better but I can live with the car now - at least I think I can :D
 
So I went out for a drive earlier. My usual 30+ minutes from Uusikylä, either back to Nastola or up to Vierumäki, I've driven this road quite a bit in the past; it's quite slow but challenging, 80km/h limited, and large enough for two vehicles but with no white line down the middle. I hadn't driven it with the A2 since the B8s were put in about 2 years and 4000kms ago. The Fiesta was great; the Octavia feels like a boat. An Ibiza was awful on this - I've used it a lot as a test drive route. The ST Focus was good, but it felt a bit big and removed. The route isn't specifically used for rallies - they drive gravel in this part of the world - but there are lots of interesting roads around with surprises, elevation changes, and dodgy surfaces.

Back to the A2: Wow. Many corner. Much speed.
There are several serious corners in this section; a couple of sharp left-handers that I've been caught out on a couple of times in the past, coming in a little hot, I've seen the ESP light once. Today? No. Only once it was close when cresting a hill and gravity reclaimed the car. Very, very compliant at higher speeds, but crunchy at low ones. This is the B8 Experience. OSS open fully, 26C, fourth is spot on for this kind of give-and-take back road.

The car no longer tries to beat the road into submission. There's flow there, and it feels really, really good. A bit too fast, if anything; it's way too easy to head towards triple km/h digits as the car's just egging you on. Minimal roll and even on these old (2012!) tyres, tyre grip is not the issue but commitment. Two moments of bottoming out, both on known "ditches" across the road. Attacking this at 8/10s would be truly fast - you'd be pushing 120-140km/h without issue and braking hard, deep into those corners... but as it is, I just lift and then get back onto the power early, simply because it's possible. Then have to lift again as we're setting a serious pace.
AFAIC, this was a very good move. Replacement tyres (and possibly wheels...) are the next move, just not sure if I need to get them done before the next MoT.... and the EML light came on :( That's now priority to work out what happened there.

- Bret
 
So I went out for a drive earlier. My usual 30+ minutes from Uusikylä, either back to Nastola or up to Vierumäki, I've driven this road quite a bit in the past; it's quite slow but challenging, 80km/h limited, and large enough for two vehicles but with no white line down the middle. I hadn't driven it with the A2 since the B8s were put in about 2 years and 4000kms ago. The Fiesta was great; the Octavia feels like a boat. An Ibiza was awful on this - I've used it a lot as a test drive route. The ST Focus was good, but it felt a bit big and removed. The route isn't specifically used for rallies - they drive gravel in this part of the world - but there are lots of interesting roads around with surprises, elevation changes, and dodgy surfaces.

Back to the A2: Wow. Many corner. Much speed.
There are several serious corners in this section; a couple of sharp left-handers that I've been caught out on a couple of times in the past, coming in a little hot, I've seen the ESP light once. Today? No. Only once it was close when cresting a hill and gravity reclaimed the car. Very, very compliant at higher speeds, but crunchy at low ones. This is the B8 Experience. OSS open fully, 26C, fourth is spot on for this kind of give-and-take back road.

The car no longer tries to beat the road into submission. There's flow there, and it feels really, really good. A bit too fast, if anything; it's way too easy to head towards triple km/h digits as the car's just egging you on. Minimal roll and even on these old (2012!) tyres, tyre grip is not the issue but commitment. Two moments of bottoming out, both on known "ditches" across the road. Attacking this at 8/10s would be truly fast - you'd be pushing 120-140km/h without issue and braking hard, deep into those corners... but as it is, I just lift and then get back onto the power early, simply because it's possible. Then have to lift again as we're setting a serious pace.
AFAIC, this was a very good move. Replacement tyres (and possibly wheels...) are the next move, just not sure if I need to get them done before the next MoT.... and the EML light came on :( That's now priority to work out what happened there.

- Bret

Nice one Brett!

Got the B8's at the fwd and aft side now too. In combination with progressive Pi 10-155 springs, which are according to some search on the net are -25mm (bought them here at A2OC, and where advertised as -30mm).
Wheels are 16" Audi A8 forged "winterfelgen", which are very light, with 195-50-16 rubbers mounted.
All this mounted under a 2003 AMF TDI, without OSS.

At the aft I cut the standard bumpstop a little bit as a precaution of bottoming out too soon. This works out fine, nil rubbing and decent spring movement possible.
I'm very happy, roadholding is super, and even in a fast 120/130km/h bend with some tarmac to tarmac "strips" (don't know how to call it, it's like two plates of concrete are pushed against eachother and have some hump/bump thingy), it holds steady without dribble or bouncing.

The thing I'm not happy with is the reaction on speed reducing bumps (which the Netherlands is fund off, besides windmills, tulips and weed..). Normally you could take them with the legal speed of 50km/h, that is with standard suspension.
Now with the B8/Pi combination I'm limited to 30/35 km/h, and it still feels like it's hitting the bump stops at the front. My goal is not to want to take them with 50km/h, but to give the front a tad more play in movement, and take away my concern when encountering the speed reducing bumps with less speed then already required.....
Since the B8's are not designed for an A2 purely, coul'd it be that the internal bumpstop is a bit long for an A2, or did anyone already took them out and had a look at them?

Came across this (although not VAG/Audi related):


And was wondering if it coul'd be applicable to the B8's on/for an A2, to prevent hitting them/bottoming out too soon.

Cheers, Menno
 
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Hi everyone! I'll be replacing the strut top mounts on my 1.4TDi S-Line and was thinking of getting the Polo mounts recommended in the original post, the question is this:

Should I get the Polo suspension ball bearings as well, and can I use the Polo strut top mount (6Q0 412 331 B rather than the original 6Q0 412 331) without replacing the shocks and struts (which are all in good condition).
Thanks in advance :)

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk
 
Anyone know if these are hard to get, one off mine is rusted threw completely the other as you can see is in poor shape.

Thanks
 

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Crewe Audi can supply them. About £8 each, from memory, but that was last year. 6N0 972 327 E I think, but best check that with them first.
 
Crewe Audi can supply them. About £8 each, from memory, but that was last year. 6N0 972 327 E I think, but best check that with them first.

Thats great thanks.

Are they designed to to be sprung and just clamp on tight ?
 
Yes. Easy to fit when new; not so easy to get off (without breaking them) once they've aged a bit. You need to lay the flat section of the clip on the flat part of the damper body, but it's easy to work out.
 
Nice one Brett!

Got the B8's at the fwd and aft side now too. In combination with progressive Pi 10-155 springs, which are according to some search on the net are -25mm (bought them here at A2OC, and where advertised as -30mm).
Wheels are 16" Audi A8 forged "winterfelgen", which are very light, with 195-50-16 rubbers mounted.
All this mounted under a 2003 AMF TDI, without OSS.

At the aft I cut the standard bumpstop a little bit as a precaution of bottoming out too soon. This works out fine, nil rubbing and decent spring movement possible.
I'm very happy, roadholding is super, and even in a fast 120/130km/h bend with some tarmac to tarmac "strips" (don't know how to call it, it's like two plates of concrete are pushed against eachother and have some hump/bump thingy), it holds steady without dribble or bouncing.

The thing I'm not happy with is the reaction on speed reducing bumps (which the Netherlands is fund off, besides windmills, tulips and weed..). Normally you could take them with the legal speed of 50km/h, that is with standard suspension.
Now with the B8/Pi combination I'm limited to 30/35 km/h, and it still feels like it's hitting the bump stops at the front. My goal is not to want to take them with 50km/h, but to give the front a tad more play in movement, and take away my concern when encountering the speed reducing bumps with less speed then already required.....
Since the B8's are not designed for an A2 purely, coul'd it be that the internal bumpstop is a bit long for an A2, or did anyone already took them out and had a look at them?

Came across this (although not VAG/Audi related):


And was wondering if it coul'd be applicable to the B8's on/for an A2, to prevent hitting them/bottoming out too soon.

Cheers, Menno

Sorry to reply on my own post....

Switched from Pi springs to Spidan 49527 on the front.
Raised the front with 3cm in combination with the Bilstein B8, and got 33cm from fender till centre of hub, still lower now in contrary with standard spring/damper combination.

I know it's not advised to combine standard springheight with B8 (something with rebound damping, a post from schnelletrecker (?)) , but since they we're just new on my A2 I decided to just try, and see what happens.
It's not a cart anymore, but still got good road control and no more wooden "bumpstop" feel at speed reducing bumps.

Was tempted to take the B8's apart and cut the internal bumpstop, but limited time decided against and take the "safe" route......
Happy days for now. Soon Timmus will stop by, maybe he can give his opinion about the combo of Spidan/Bilstein B8's.

Cheers, Menno.
 
Excellent posts however I'm somewhat bamboozled by the sheer choice and am in immediate need of front springs, shock absorbers and top mounts for a 2001 1.4 TDi 75 SE with OSS as car just failed MoT on broken front Spring and tester stated that dampers were shot and therefore top mounts would surely be too. Comfort would be main criteria over handling.

If anyone can direct me to a retailer or site that would have current stock of such I'd be most grateful.
 
Good morning,

I have read the post but I can't find which screws are the ones to be renewed.I will change what I have in red circles (in addition to the top cup with bearings), but I do not know which screws are the ones to change.

Are they the ones I mark in green? It is for a 2005 BHC model

Thanks!!

ae1132e9cd75f1687c7819b202e6fe7fo.jpg
 
Yes, they should be replaced, however, they are graded 10.9 so high tensile, at our torques unlikely to be under that much strain. Nevertheless, always good engineering practice to renew.
 
So moved from pro sport coilovers to monroe reflex sport and weitec springs lowered 25/30.

Plus point is definitely much nicer comfort levels not nearly as harsh.

Minus point is that the handling characteristics are much worse. Gone is the go kart feel to be replaced by a feeling like I'm "sitting on top" or over the car rather than in it.

I'll try them out for a good run before I decide next steps. I appreciate this setup may be ideal for some but after being on coilovers for 2 years this isn't what I was expecting...it all feels a bit binary.
If you decide to go back to coil overs again...let me know about your springs and shocks ?
We might have a deal ...i need to change my shocks and springs ...sooner or later
 
Some spring advice please. i'm looking at renewing my springs all round, i have bilstein b4 shocks and was going to put the original springs back, but given the hassle of changing the fronts i'm renewing everything. so, do i just put bilstein b3 springs on, or should i go for something more heavy duty for the rears - its for a tdi with oss. i found these KYB springs RH6594 that are specific for a2 and oss roof. i want standard height and ride. cheers
https://www.partsinmotion.co.uk/car...on/coil-springs/kyb-coil-spring-rh1664-detail

Part Number:RH6594



https://www.partsinmotion.co.uk/xlist/68/687100_1
KYB Coil Spring Rear
 
Hi Nod,

I about 2 months ago refurbished my £1 project car (02 AMF Tdi SE with OSS and no options barring this) - suspension Bilstein B4 all round ; rear springs were Bilstein B3s, fronts were recycled from my 04 A2 Tdi. Car was on 285k (miles). Also replaced all the various rubber and plastic bushes / shock protectors and bearing mounts front and rear. I can thoroughly recommend the B4 shocks all round and B3 rear springs - in conjunction with SE 6 spoke rims and Uniroyal 195/45/16 tyres and new Febi ARB bushes - the car has a lovely supple ride and very light and lively steering.

If you want catalogue numbers and origins for the parts, I will happily PM them (I was recommended some suppliers here).
 
Hi Nod,

I about 2 months ago refurbished my £1 project car (02 AMF Tdi SE with OSS and no options barring this) - suspension Bilstein B4 all round ; rear springs were Bilstein B3s, fronts were recycled from my 04 A2 Tdi. Car was on 285k (miles). Also replaced all the various rubber and plastic bushes / shock protectors and bearing mounts front and rear. I can thoroughly recommend the B4 shocks all round and B3 rear springs - in conjunction with SE 6 spoke rims and Uniroyal 195/45/16 tyres and new Febi ARB bushes - the car has a lovely supple ride and very light and lively steering.

If you want catalogue numbers and origins for the parts, I will happily PM them (I was recommended some suppliers here).
Thanks Robin, I'll go for the b3's in that case. I'll use spring-loaded.co unless you know a better place. Many thanks.
 
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