S8 shocks

[Fredde]

I recently bought a used set of s8 shocks and springs for my 2000 a8L and unfortunately the shocks are in pretty poor condition. What are the options for replacement? I have read about the bilsteins but they are a bit outside the budget. Can you use non sport shocks with the s8 springs? Was planning on using the non sport lower spring perch with the s8 shocks to go just a bit lower in the front but I assume that would have no effect when using s8 springs on standard shocks?

[MikkiJayne]

Poor condition cosmetically (common) or leaking (not common)? If its just cosmetics, let them soak in evaporust for a few days then repaint. I find they generally last 200K miles or more without mechanically failing although obviously the gas does escape by then.

S8 springs on stock shocks will probably result in stock ride height as the spring perch sits quite a lot higher. It'll also ride like a bouncy castle as the stock shocks aren't damped enough to control S8 springs.

[Fredde]

Originally Posted by MikkiJayne

Poor condition cosmetically (common) or leaking (not common)? If its just cosmetics, let them soak in evaporust for a few days then repaint. I find they generally last 200K miles or more without mechanically failing although obviously the gas does escape by then.

S8 springs on stock shocks will probably result in stock ride height as the spring perch sits quite a lot higher. It'll also ride like a bouncy castle as the stock shocks aren't damped enough to control S8 springs.

They are rustad yes and i plan on repainting them if I end up using them but what I’m more concerned about is the fact that they are really slow to rebound when compressed. Comparing to my new bilstein shocks on the b5.

[MikkiJayne]

Thats because most of the gas has escaped, just over time. I have a couple of sets of new-old-stock dampers and they are exactly the same. All the gas does is pressurise the oil to stop it cavitating and foaming under heavy usage, but the actual damping function will still work just fine in normal use. Unless you take it to the Nurburgring or chase Citroens down dirt tracks I doubt you'd ever notice the difference.

[Fredde]

Originally Posted by MikkiJayne

Thats because most of the gas has escaped, just over time. I have a couple of sets of new-old-stock dampers and they are exactly the same. All the gas does is pressurise the oil to stop it cavitating and foaming under heavy usage, but the actual damping function will still work just fine in normal use. Unless you take it to the Nurburgring or chase Citroens down dirt tracks I doubt you'd ever notice the difference.

Great, thanks will repaint them and use them then. My v8 auto barge will never see the track.