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D2 - Axles, Brakes, Suspension and Steering Brakes, Springs, shocks, steering racks, steering columns, suspension arms, wheel hubs etc.

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  #1  
Old 25th May 2020, 07:01 AM
spannerrash spannerrash is offline
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Default Coil spring refresh?

Hi all
Whilst I'm doing some other work in the front wheel arch area of the car, I have decided to remove the front struts to give them a bit of a cosmetic refresh. Re-paint etc. As with many cars of this age the coil springs have some corrosion. Especially around the bottom coil or two.

Normally I would just replace, especially as they are 18 yrs old and are probably suffering from some "work hardening" fatigue. Unfortunately they are NLA and I cannot find any aftermarket supplier's for the sports suspension. I want to stay as near stock as possible so am ruling out coil overs.

Back to the main point / question. Can old springs be Re-worked? I'm thinking heat treating to reset the stresses and bring back the original spring rate and then some kind of protective coating.

Doable, not doable, stupid question?

Thanks Frank

Not thinking of doing this myself by the way but farming it out to a specialist company, if I can find one.

Last edited by spannerrash; 25th May 2020 at 07:07 AM. Reason: To clarify
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Old 25th May 2020, 08:55 AM
MikkiJayne MikkiJayne is offline
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I have wondered about this myself, but never got any further. There used to be a few bespoke spring manufacturers in Sheffield who might be able to rework them if they are still around.

Its worth noting that Eibach springs for the A8 are pretty much equivalent to the S8 springs. Mark is running them on his FE and I think was quite happy with them.
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Old 25th May 2020, 10:16 AM
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moltuae moltuae is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MikkiJayne View Post
Mark is running them on his FE and I think was quite happy with them.
Indeed. The ride-height and handling is pretty much identical to how it was with the stock S8 springs I had.
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Mark
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2002 FE S8 Ebony Black Pearl
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Cars Owned:
The Tesla Era: 2020 Model S Performance Ludicrous+ (present)
(Black, with all black premium interior and carbon fibre décor, 21" sonic carbon twin turbine wheels and FSD capability)

The Audi Era: '97 A8 4.2 (Ming Blue) --> '96 A8 4.2 QS (Dark Green) --> '02 FE S8 (present)
The Citroen Era: '84 BX 1.6 RS --> '89 BX 1.9 DTR Turbo --> '94 XM 2.0L Turbo --> '96 XM 2.0L Turbo Exclusive --> '00 Xantia Activa 2.0L Turbo
The Banger Era: '76 1.2L Lada VAZ-2101 (Ruski Fiat 124) --> '80 1.7L Morris Ital HL, finished in Ermine White and Rust

Last edited by moltuae; 25th May 2020 at 10:18 AM.
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  #4  
Old 25th May 2020, 11:36 AM
spannerrash spannerrash is offline
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Does anyone have the part numbers at hand for the Eibach springs, front and rear please? I know that sounds lazy of me but I don't want to end up with the wrong ones. Would rather make sure I get something that has already been tested out.
Cheers Frank
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  #5  
Old 25th May 2020, 11:56 AM
spannerrash spannerrash is offline
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Is it this one?
E1533-140
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  #6  
Old 25th May 2020, 12:37 PM
moltuae's Avatar
moltuae moltuae is offline
RIP 27/02/2021 :-(
 
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Those look like the right ones but mine were a (slightly) used set supplied by MJ so I can't confirm the part number. Perhaps MJ can confirm?
__________________
Mark
------------------------------------------------------
2002 FE S8 Ebony Black Pearl
------------------------------------------------------

------------------------------------------------------
Cars Owned:
The Tesla Era: 2020 Model S Performance Ludicrous+ (present)
(Black, with all black premium interior and carbon fibre décor, 21" sonic carbon twin turbine wheels and FSD capability)

The Audi Era: '97 A8 4.2 (Ming Blue) --> '96 A8 4.2 QS (Dark Green) --> '02 FE S8 (present)
The Citroen Era: '84 BX 1.6 RS --> '89 BX 1.9 DTR Turbo --> '94 XM 2.0L Turbo --> '96 XM 2.0L Turbo Exclusive --> '00 Xantia Activa 2.0L Turbo
The Banger Era: '76 1.2L Lada VAZ-2101 (Ruski Fiat 124) --> '80 1.7L Morris Ital HL, finished in Ermine White and Rust
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  #7  
Old 25th May 2020, 12:56 PM
Ronin Ronin is offline
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Audi Tradition would probably have your exact springs. I did a qoute for mine which came to £258 ....a piece..
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  #8  
Old 25th May 2020, 02:43 PM
spannerrash spannerrash is offline
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Audi Tradition makes owning one of these cars a real challenge. There list price+delivery+15 to 20% markup for your chosen 3rd parties trouble+vat. I have bought plenty of stuff from them via my local main dealer but really only stuff I can't get anywhere else.

I will probably end up getting springs from them but would like to have options because we then come to the issue of NLA front shocks. None even at Audi Tradition.

It seems to be a never ending problem. A price you pay unfortunately for trying to keep older cars running. A problem I particularly find frustrating as an OEM kind of guy.
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