What front strut diameter size do I have?! Don't know which coilovers to order!

[plasma]

Okay, so I have a 2006 Audi A3 Sportback 2.0 tdi and I'm in the process of getting Spax RSX coilivers but the way they have numbered their parts is very confusing!

Firstly what is my front strut diamter?

Secondly from the following link: http://www.spaxdirect.com/index.php?cPath=137_425_946
What part number is compatible with my car?

I spoke to a guy who already has the Spax RSX coilovers and he has an '07 A3 1.9 TDI with the 50mm strut, and so has the Spax RSX742 part number. He said though that his coilovers came with adaptor sleeves for the 55mm so according to him it won't matter which one I order because even if I didn accidently order the wrong size diameter it will have the adaptor sleeves. Is this true??

PLeas help

 

[plasma]

Update: The guy said he purchased the adaptor sleeves separately, but they should still fit my car. Is this true? Are there any downfalls from using a coilover set meant for 50mm but using the adaptor sleeve to make it fit a 55mm car?

 

[smurfworth]

Yours will be 55mm struts, was on my 06 a3 2.0 TDi. Pretty sure it's only the 1.9 that has 50mm struts.

 

[plasma]

So if I use strut sleeve for a coilover set that's meant for a 50mm strut will it fit my car?

 

[smurfworth]

Why would you want to? Why not just buy them in the correct diameter?

 

[plasma]

Why would you want to? Why not just buy them in the correct diameter?

I am getting a used Spax RSX coilover set for a good price but they are only meant for 50mm strut

 

[smurfworth]

I am getting a used Spax RSX coilover set for a good price but they are only meant for 50mm strut

right ok i see, there shouldn't be a problem tbh, the JOM coilovers come with a sleeve similar to what you describe so should be fine. only difference is if they are off a 1.9tdi then the extra weight of a 2.0 tdi will cause them to sit lower and not perform how they should.

 

[plasma]

right ok i see, there shouldn't be a problem tbh, the JOM coilovers come with a sleeve similar to what you describe so should be fine. only difference is if they are off a 1.9tdi then the extra weight of a 2.0 tdi will cause them to sit lower and not perform how they should.

I was worried about that but it seems that Spax use the same RSX coils (except the diameter) for all the different engines and weights.

Had a look at: http://www.dcperformance.co.uk/uprated/spax-rsx-coilovers/audi/a3.html
and http://www.spaxdirect.com/index.php?cPath=137_425_946
aswell at other sites like Venom Motorsport and Europerformance parts and they all list the RSX coilovers in an interchangeable, confusing way. I can only deduce that Spax numbered their coils in such as way and doesn't reflect that that different RSX coils are for different engines (only except diameter)

 

[plasma]

But correct me if I'm wrong

 

[smurfworth]

They are all physically interchangeable just like mk5/6 golf, TT mk2, a3, s3 suspension components are its just the difference in spring rates (spring strength) that are designed for different variants that are different.

As an extreme example, its like fitting coilovers designed for a 1.6 a3 to a 3.2 quattro a3, the weight of the variants differ massively thus giving a massively different lowering range and performance variations for what they are designed for.

Its your decision if you fit coilovers not specific for what you own at the end of the day though.

 

[plasma]

They are all physically interchangeable just like mk5/6 golf, TT mk2, a3, s3 suspension components are its just the difference in spring rates (spring strength) that are designed for different variants that are different.

As an extreme example, its like fitting coilovers designed for a 1.6 a3 to a 3.2 quattro a3, the weight of the variants differ massively thus giving a massively different lowering range and performance variations for what they are designed for.

Its your decision if you fit coilovers not specific for what you own at the end of the day though.

I see where you are coming from but if you look at their official site http://www.spaxdirect.com/index.php?cPath=137_425_946

you can see that the same coilover can be used for both 1.6 petrol and 2.0 TDI. I do find this a little strange but this may mean that Spax didn't change the stiffness for their coils for different engines

 

[smurfworth]

It does indeed seem that way, however, they make struts for the 50 and 55mm hubs.

I don't have any experience with spax but if your happy with trying them with the sleeves then go for it, personally I'd buy the soecific strut size just to be on the safe side, at the end of the day it's what stops your 1400kg car smashing it's undercarriage on the Tarmac (and the sump, driveshafts, gearbox, subframe etc etc) in the event of the sleeves failing.

Could always ring spax and ask for their opionion or maybe a tuning specialist like amd, vrsnorthhampton, dpm, gnj Motorsport just to name a few for their advise.

 

[plasma]

It does indeed seem that way, however, they make struts for the 50 and 55mm hubs.

I don't have any experience with spax but if your happy with trying them with the sleeves then go for it, personally I'd buy the soecific strut size just to be on the safe side, at the end of the day it's what stops your 1400kg car smashing it's undercarriage on the Tarmac in the event of the sleeves failing.

Could always ring spax and ask for their opionion or maybe a tuning specialist like amd, vrsnorthhampton, dpm, gnj Motorsport just to name a few for their advise.

It's something I need to look into further before I go ahead with the purchase. I have emailed Spax and will give them a call tomorrow to confirm. If everything checks out I'll get the 50mm coilover variant with the sleeves and see if the fitter can 'weld' the sleeves onto the struts for added safety

 

[plasma]

One more thing, which bushes shall I replace (with Powerflex) while getting the coilovers fitted??

 

[DPM]

Spax don't make adaptors for 50mm to 55mm so I'm guessing you'd be using the JOM one. Myself personally I'd always try and get coilovers with the actual strut size for your car unless you're actually going for the JOM coilovers with the JOM adaptors.

Damian @ DPM Performance

 

[villageidiot]

Strut adaptors for sale on Ebay for fitting 50mm struts into 55mm hubs .
eBay item number:
291291823604

 

[DPM]

We also have the JOM strut size adaptors for sale on eBay at the moment.

Damian @ DPM Performance