Front Shock Absorbers FL D2 S8
 

Some advice please.
I am presently addressing some age old issues on my 2002 S8 and have gathered together some new components to fix MOT advisories (manifesting as a couple of front end creaks/groans). Following various extremely helpful posts on here I have successfully navigated the 20" wheel control arm part number maze but now have another issue.
When I purchased the car some 5 years ago it came with a new spare pair of Audi OEM front shock absorbers (Pt no 4D0413031AQ), which I thought might now be worth fitting if I was accessing the front suspension. However after looking at a few part no listings, i think I now know why they may not have been fitted previously. They appear not to be applicable to the 2002 model year!
So hence my question, is there any minor combination of other parts which would allow these SA's to be fitted to my car, eg different combination of spring or spring platforms or is the problem more fundamental?
Many thanks,
G

I think you can change the whole strut with spring and spring cup from PF and FL and it's fine but if you just put PF shock keeping FL spring and cup on FL car you end up with lower front, I am sure MJ will know more.

PS. if anyone is interested I still have unused pair of PF S8 shocks but no longer have car.

4D0413031AQ is for the PF 2.8 sport so will have quite a different weight profile to an FL S8. I would be disinclined to fit those to an S8 tbh as it may end up under-damped.

The best dampers currently available for the D2 are the Bilstein B6, but they are a tad spendy at 150 a corner. Very much worth it if you enjoy a 'spirited' drive from time to time though ;)

Ainars - I'm pretty sure you are correct there. I can't remember the exact differences tbh as I don't see many PFs so I'd need a set side by side to remind me.

Just checked my unsused pair is also AQ, also checked original struts that I took off because of broken springs and they are AR.

Not sure how much weight difference is there between V6 and V8, I think engines are about same weight as V8 is aluminium block and V6 is cast iron. I am pretty sure seeing somewhere that 2.7 TT V6 is is heavier than V8 in B5 and C5 because of added weight of turbos and intercoolers so V6 without forced induction should be in the ballpark of V8

PF V6 would be only 2wd so some weight saving there but what's the total difference and how much different shocks would affect no idea.


Had a look at Billstein catalogue for B6, it lists the same part number for front shocks 24-026093 for all versions of D2 I checked regardless of engine or 2WD, 4WD, PF or FL, sports or standard suspension :Confused::Confused:

Yeah the aftermarket tend not to differentiate between models or specs at all, yet Audi have different springs for every equipment level, and almost as many dampers. The Bilsteins would give a stiffer ride on the V6 than the V8 because they are valved as a best-guess average.

The V8 is about 25Kg heavier than the V6 with accessories fitted (I weighed them), and there is about 50Kg difference between the 5HP24a and the 5HP19FL so three bags of sand different on the front axle. Thats a fair chunk of weight.

So about the same as having a passenger or not :ROFL:

Oh yeah good point! :D

Many thanks both for you input, will have to do some more parts collecting then. Local Audi parts man had however previously confirmed that AQ and AR variants were pre '99 S8 fitments.
Thanks again.

Looking at ETKA AQ was dropped on 2008 and AR used till 2013 for all engines so difference cannot be that big.

Looking at the sport suspension springs the same were used throughout all years PF and FL.

Shocks changed to CE(V6) and CD(V8 ) in 1999 chassis number 4D-X-000 001 but kept the same separate spring disc ( 8D0 412 103 B ) and underlay ( 4D0 412 107 B ) as PF until 2000 chassis no 4D-Y-020 000, CE was dropped in 2008 and CD used for all engines.

Then changed disc and underlay to single part( 8D0 412 066 F) from 2001 chassis number 4D0-1-000 001

Only way to find out for sure I guess is to try to fit them.



Looking at the pictures on the web PF shocks definitely have the ridge on which spring disc sits higher up but the disc is deeper so it brings the surface down. I don't know if I am reading ETKA wrong or what, or how they got away for 1 year using FL shocks with PF spring discs :Confused::Confused: ?But looks like you will need PF spring discs and underlay to use PF shocks on FL car.

Thanks again for this additional data. Don't now think there is anything to be lost by giving it a try. I have taken a couple of measurements from the SA spring platform mounting ridge to the support yolk pivot and the AQ appears to only ride about 5-7 mm higher.