Standard Springs

[joshxs]

Just found out that my rear spring has snapped, so I'm after a pair of original/standard springs. Is Audi the only place you can get them? Everywhere else only seems to supply lowering springs.


I would consider lowering, but as far as i'm aware you need to do the whole lot, dampers, roll bars, tie bars etc. I have no desire to spend £1k+ as I plan to sell the car in the near future, so there seems little point...


Are the rear springs easy to fix? I'm assuming jacking up the rear, axle stands in, jack up the wheel and the spring should just pop out when the damper is undone?

 

[MintyS3]

You could simply get lowering springs. It wont do the car harm, doesnt sound like to too concerned right now about creating the ultimate handling S3.

Im not sure how difficult the spring is to remove. I had a quick look yesterday and the spring is seperate to the damper. Cant imagien too difficult. Springs compressors required im sure.

One thing I did notice was how flimsy the rear arb is. Awfull.

 

[joshxs]

Yes, it is an option to get lowering springs, but I think the car will be easier to sell if it's completely standard.? Besides, I don't want to replace the springs with lowered ones only to find the dmapers are past their best and ruin the handling....

 

[cjhill]

audi or one of the online audi parts stores would be the best place. I often use the prices on the online stores to haggle with the audi dealer, and they normally match the price.

Make sure you check which spring you have, they have a set of coloured blobs on the spring itself, usually in the middle. Apparently it makes a difference as they have different compression values. Mine were purple if my memory serves me right.

They are easy to change, but the easiest way is to buy a spring compressor and compress the spring then undo the bottom bolt that holds the bottom wishbone together, that way no force is required (i managed to scratch the paint in a few places with bruit force...)

Once you have a look you'll see what i mean - didnt take long.

The only other thing i changed whilst doing this was the foam pad that sits on top of the spring - mine was in pieces.

Good luck

 

[cjhill]

Yes, it is an option to get lowering springs, but I think the car will be easier to sell if it's completely standard.? Besides, I don't want to replace the springs with lowered ones only to find the dmapers are past their best and ruin the handling....

i thought about lowering too, but have been glad i didnt on more than one occasion -

i still scuff the bottom of the car on some of the roads near me, the car park at work is terrible and when it flooded recently i managed to drive through a river, without too many problems (was left with some fish in the fog light).

If it was lower i dont think i would have a sump anymore.

 

[joshxs]

audi or one of the online audi parts stores would be the best place. I often use the prices on the online stores to haggle with the audi dealer, and they normally match the price.

Thanks for that. Trouble is, I have yet to find an online store that stocks standard springs Audi want £60.50 for each spring!

 

[alijames]

Thanks for that. Trouble is, I have yet to find an online store that stocks standard springs Audi want £60.50 for each spring!

Yep that agrees what I was quoted on Saturday when mine failed the MOT on both rear coils.

GSF don't seem to have them (The catalogue refers to p/n 511VG023, but does not find that as stock item when you try to price up...

Cheers,

 

[Yaz]

Yep that agrees what I was quoted on Saturday when mine failed the MOT on both rear coils.

GSF don't seem to have them (The catalogue refers to p/n 511VG023, but does not find that as stock item when you try to price up...

Cheers,

What about giving GSF a call or even Euro Car Parts? I know they now sell the TT springs as the rear coil spring snapping is also a common problem on the TT...from memory the rear springs from GSF were approx £30 each for a TT.

 

[Nilz]

Make sure you use spring clamps if you do change them yourself, dont want them panging in your head.....it will hurt!!

GSF or ECP should do them too....

 

[joshxs]

ECP don't do them, I rang up on Sat morning. They only do lowering kits, GSF don't seem to have anything listed?

 

[Yaz]

ECP don't do them, I rang up on Sat morning. They only do lowering kits, GSF don't seem to have anything listed?

Have you actually phoned GSF though? I needed a fuel tank for my Scirocco once which are rare as rockin' horse sh!t and thought i would have to buy it from Germany until someone told me to contact GSF. It transpired they had 2 fuel tanks in stock at their Heathrow HQ but it wasn't listed on their website!

 

[cjhill]

i do agree that since VAG parts went bust i havent found a good genuine parts supplier....


but they must exist