Shocks ?

Post by **Sveedy** » 27 Dec 2020, 07:38

Well researching shocks for Sveedy, I find that the general consensus is that once the originals are worn out your magic carpet ride is gone for good.
From what I've read the new Sach's shocks are not as well made as the originals, Koni's can be a bit stiff for a comfort ride and Bilsteins maybe fall in between.
Any thoughts as to which way to go here ? I'm leaning toward the HD Bilsteins for the rear, but have not settled on the fronts. I'd really love to keep the beautiful ride I have now, but I know that's probably not possible.
Thanks all !

Post by **scot850** » 27 Dec 2020, 08:33

Don't use HD's. They are too hard for anything other than track use according to IPD. I had them on the front of my 'R' and broke them in the winter on a deep rut. I change to Bilstein Touring struts. A little firmer than the original OE but good all around.

Neil.

Cookeh · Post by **Cookeh** » 27 Dec 2020, 09:04

Bilsteins have stiffer compression and rebound than stock. The B4s also suffered from having incorrect measurements upfront, putting the lower spring mount 15mm too high. This gives a weird rake to the car, and is very noticeable aesthetically. To my knowledge, after many years, this has yet to be addressed.

In my personal experience of ranking stiffness, Sachs front and rear (Sachs replaced Boge here in the UK, both are owned by ZF anyway) is the closest you can get to OE. That would be followed by Koni, with some considerable gap between Koni and Bilstein. Of course, if you're open to looking at springs that aren't classed as direct OE replacements, then Koni's Special Active shocks are arguably superior to the OE setup.

Everything above is assuming you replace all other rubber components. Worn subframe bushings, engine mounts, and of course strut mounts/spring seats/delta-link bushes will all have an impact on the ride and hence perceived quality. There will be significant improvements to be had by simply changing the shocks and springs, naturally, but if you're chasing the 'magic carpet ride', then all the above will be necessary if they are in anyway worn.

Post by **Sveedy** » 27 Dec 2020, 09:20

I am all good with replacing the springs as well so the Koni's sound like a good choice. I am only doing the rears right now - waiting on the fronts for a couple of months. I have done the engine mounts and the rest of the rubber seems to still be fine, for now.
Do you think one should go with Koni's on all four, or would the touring Blisteins on the rear work fine with Koni's on the front ?

Post by **Sveedy** » 27 Dec 2020, 09:37

Thinking about it further, I will just go with the Koni's on all four. Now when it comes to doing springs, what do you recommend ? I'm worried that any lowering springs would be a stiffer ride, but I guess that might be the trade off for better handling.

Cookeh · Post by **Cookeh** » 27 Dec 2020, 11:04

If you mean specifically the Special Actives, then I'd go for something OE. Changing spring rates (which will naturally happen with lowering springs) will have an impact on the function of the special actives, reducing ride quality. It will the location of the piston in the shock body, changing when the bypass valve opens.

If you're going with Koni Sports, then they'll be better with lowering springs. In the UK Eibachs are the recommended option for lowering springs, followed by H&R, and then Lesjofors. For the OE-replacement Konis, any standard spring will be fine - but the Koni springs will of course be best matched.

The impact of lowering springs depends entirely on what shock/strut you have. Lowering springs on stock shocks/springs will result in a harsher ride. Lowering springs on shocks designed for shorter travel (like B6s or Koni Sports etc), then they won't impact harshness.

Post by **scot850** » 27 Dec 2020, 13:45

The newer Sachs are softer than the originals. I fitted a set to the rear of a V70 base model along with a pair of springs from FCP (lesjofors?). He found them very soft and swapped them for a set of rear IPD HD springs and used the same shocks. I got a lift from him recently and fund the car perfectly comfortable and controlled with this combination. As I have the AWD I have the Nivomats at the rear. They are fine along with a set of new OE correct spec'd springs. At the front I used the Bilstein Tourings. Now maybe I bought them before the 'issue' with the spring seat height (about 6-7 years ago) but the rumours were around even then. I have no issue with the shock height and again with new OE springs.

I guess the thing to do is to ask a supplier to measure the seat height from the lower shock mounts to see if they match what you already have.

With the set up I have I have no issues with ride height or comfort with the suspension. It is firmer then the original OE shocks but in a good way. I also have the OE front anti-sway bar (recent replacement) having swapped out the IPD swaybar. I still have the IPD rear ant-swaybar with new bushes.

Neil.

Post by **abscate** » 27 Dec 2020, 14:20

Everyone who drives my T5 likes the Sachs front and IPD HD on rear. Now at 7 years/120k miles

I like the Konis on Evita and even more that Evan put them on for me.

Cookeh · Post by **Cookeh** » 27 Dec 2020, 14:29

I believe the Tourings are called the B6s here, and are different to the B4s, which would explain the lack of height issue and the lack of ride complaints. 15mm compression on the spring, by poor design, eliminates some of the small bump compliance and total travel in the B4s, making them really rather harsh in my experience.

Post by **Sveedy** » 27 Dec 2020, 16:29

I really like the height that she sits at now - just a touch higher in the rear when on level ground. But that might be due to a tired front suspension. And I realize the ride will probably never be duplicated. So I'm going with the Koni Actives on the rear for now but keeping my stock springs. If that doesn't work satisfactorily then I can deal with getting new OE springs. Then I'll get them for the front when I get up that way in a few weeks.
Thanks for all the input. Always appreciated !