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Author Subject: Replacing suspension - advice please
matt.gti6

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Post #1
So today my OSF coil spring decided to give up. Luckily, just the top section has snapped, so does not seem to have damaged anything else.

My car has done 68k miles, and is almost certainly on the original suspension. I would like a little advice on which of the following options is most recommended (And if anyone has any experience with any of the options). My car is only used on the road, so I am not wanting to spend too much cash on coilovers or bilstein B8's etc. All going well, I would plan to hold onto the car for a few years yet so am prepared to invest in more parts if it is definitely worth it.

Option 1: As long as shock absorbers are not damaged, replace only the front springs with Eibach's and have the rear beam lowered to match.

Option 2: As option 1, but upgrade rear shock absorbers whilst they are lowering the beam.

Option 3: Eibach springs, new Bilstein B4 front dampers, new bilstein rear dampers, lower rear beam.

Option 4: As 3, but also change to larger diameter rear beam torsion bars (306 estate etc.)

I know this has been covered before, and I have read through other threads on the subject. I guess my question is whether there will be a noticeable ride difference between (1) just changing the springs and (2) replacing all dampers with new bilstein equivalents aswell as the new springs? Also, is it much extra work to change the rear shocks and/or torsion bars whilst beam is being lowered?

Thanks!
Big grin
Posted 14th Jun 2011 at 02:11
iplay

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Post #2
All the options depend on the roads and how you drive.

Option 5: Front OEM springs, shocks and top mounts. Rear shocks & suspension mounts.

A new OEM suspension is quite different to a soft 10 year old one. A new OEM suspension literally defies all known physics around corners.

Rear torsion bars don't have much spring left in them after 10 years. So lowering the rear is only going to result in a less effective suspension.
Posted 14th Jun 2011 at 01:44
matt.gti6

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Post #3
Thanks mate, my only concern about OEM is the price! I gave my local dealer a ring today, and it is quite a lot more than equivalent Bilstein parts...I would like to get a setup that is similar to standard, but with reduced ride height (about -30mm), and a lower price Smile

As for the torsion bars, anyone know how much these are from a main stealer? Where can you get uprated ones from? The only thing is, I wouldn't want anything much stiffer than standard...
Posted 14th Jun 2011 at 02:08
daveyboy

aka Jim Davey

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Post #4
matt.gti6 wrote:
Thanks mate, my only concern about OEM is the price! I gave my local dealer a ring today, and it is quite a lot more than equivalent Bilstein parts...I would like to get a setup that is similar to standard, but with reduced ride height (about -30mm), and a lower price Smile

As for the torsion bars, anyone know how much these are from a main stealer? Where can you get uprated ones from? The only thing is, I wouldn't want anything much stiffer than standard...


Eibach springs are a 30mm drop and are highly regarded on here as an excellent spring, very progressive and not at all harsh. As for TBs, 21mm bars from a 306 estate or Citroen (Xantia?) are an excellent match for the lowering springs. Eibachs are roughly £100 and I think I got my torsion bars for around £62 each new from Pug. I ran this setup combined with solid beam mounts and roller wishbone bushes and found it to be outstanding.

________________________________________

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Some of my services: (See my for sale threads)
Engine mount/chassis repair
Solid Beam Mounts BACK IN PRODUCTION
Harness bars
Posted 14th Jun 2011 at 02:38
matt evans

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Post #5
Ive done the exact same "suspension" refresh on my 6 in my project thread. Ive gone from completely standard (100k mile old standard though) and done the following.

Rear - Bilstein B6 dampers, Xsara VTS 21mm TB's, new beam mounts and rear beam rebuild.

Front - Bilstein B8 dampers, Eibach 30mm lowering springs, new top mount bearings & droplinks.

Hand on heart, the ride comfort is only slightly firmer than before, the suppleness is still there, the fluid handling hasnt been compromised at all. Turn in is slightly keener than before and the higher speed handling is a fair bit better than it was. It just feels more stable at the bigger speeds, with no down side that i can see or feel.

Yes its a fair expense, but it'll be many more thousands of miles before anything else needs doing.

Ive also not lowered the rear too much (gone up to 16" wheels as well) its no more than 20mm lower than before at the rear, and the "rake" of the car is spot on in my opinion.

________________________________________

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2004 Aegean Blue 206 GTi 180 (also gone...)
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honestly3k wrote:
Do you wrestle for a living matt? You sound like a monster LOL


owain wrote:
Nothing involving a 306 can be considered worthwhile.

Posted 14th Jun 2011 at 03:06
matt.gti6

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Post #6
Sounds good, what shock absorbers were you using?
Edit: that question was for daveyboy!
Posted 14th Jun 2011 at 03:13
daveyboy

aka Jim Davey

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Post #7
matt.gti6 wrote:
Sounds good, what shock absorbers were you using?
Edit: that question was for daveyboy!


LOL I was on standard shocks to start with which were fine for 18 months or so (they did'nt fail I just has GAZ Gold coilovers by then) and I did a fair bit of track driving on them and although too soft for track they were a great ride on the road.

________________________________________

R H Davey Welding Supplies. I sell new and used welding equipment in the Hampshire area. I take on welding jobs in the evenings, ally casting repairs are one of my specialities but I can weld pretty much anything. PM me with your requirements.

Some of my services: (See my for sale threads)
Engine mount/chassis repair
Solid Beam Mounts BACK IN PRODUCTION
Harness bars
Posted 14th Jun 2011 at 13:39
matt.gti6

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Post #8
Thanks for getting back to me, I think I am going to tackle the front end myself (eibachs and OEM spec bilsteins). Then shortly aftwerwards, will get the car into Mechanical Repairs for rear beam check up and lowering...if anything looks knackered in the beam will be replacing parts, and will be very tempted to have a brand new pair of 21mm TB's and bilstein dampers fitted Smile
Posted 14th Jun 2011 at 16:12
welshpug!

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Post #9
i'd be inclined to replace the bearings and seals regardless, tis getting on a bit now Smile

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Posted 14th Jun 2011 at 17:11
dangti6

aka JKshooter

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Post #10
Ive got some original Peugeot shocks with unsnapped springs that have done 76k miles.



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  • Posted 14th Jun 2011 at 18:42
    bennn

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    Post #11
    dangti6 wrote:
    Ive got some original Peugeot shocks with unsnapped springs that have done 76k miles.





    8k more than the ones on his car then LOL

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    Posted 14th Jun 2011 at 18:53
    matt.gti6

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    Post #12
    welshpug! wrote:
    i'd be inclined to replace the bearings and seals regardless, tis getting on a bit now Smile


    In the rear beam you mean? Sounds sensible to me Smile

    Also - whilst I'm replacing front shocks, should I plan to replace top mounts (About £37 a side from Peugeot for a 'top mount kit'). Anything else that is likely to be in need of replacing up front?
    Posted 14th Jun 2011 at 19:29
    roland rat

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    Post #13
    Ive got some lovely B4's and Eibachs for sale with some nice uprated Blistein rear shocks mate if any good for you?Also got a Hybrid Arb gathering dust Wink
    Posted 14th Jun 2011 at 19:30
    bennn

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    Post #14
    matt.gti6 wrote:
    welshpug! wrote:
    i'd be inclined to replace the bearings and seals regardless, tis getting on a bit now Smile


    In the rear beam you mean? Sounds sensible to me Smile

    Also - whilst I'm replacing front shocks, should I plan to replace top mounts (About £37 a side from Peugeot for a 'top mount kit'). Anything else that is likely to be in need of replacing up front?


    I would purley because of the hassle of taking them off again to replace should they go in the future, also worth replacing the bearings as they dont cost much either.

    ________________________________________

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    Posted 14th Jun 2011 at 21:01
    matt.gti6

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    Post #15
    bennn wrote:
    matt.gti6 wrote:
    welshpug! wrote:
    i'd be inclined to replace the bearings and seals regardless, tis getting on a bit now Smile


    In the rear beam you mean? Sounds sensible to me Smile

    Also - whilst I'm replacing front shocks, should I plan to replace top mounts (About £37 a side from Peugeot for a 'top mount kit'). Anything else that is likely to be in need of replacing up front?


    I would purley because of the hassle of taking them off again to replace should they go in the future, also worth replacing the bearings as they dont cost much either.


    yeah I will go for that approach - which bearings do you mean in your last sentence? Sorry for my ignorance!
    Posted 14th Jun 2011 at 21:13
    bennn

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    Post #16
    The top mount bearings, they sit inside the top mount, think i paid around £12 a side last time i replaced some.

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    Posted 14th Jun 2011 at 21:20
    matt.gti6

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    Post #17
    Top mount kit (x2) ordered from Pug Smile
    All going well this includes bearings (parts person assured me that they are)

    Next up is deciding what else to get...
    Posted 14th Jun 2011 at 21:52
    bennn

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    Post #18
    matt.gti6 wrote:
    Top mount kit (x2) ordered from Pug Smile
    All going well this includes bearings (parts person assured me that they are)

    Next up is deciding what else to get...


    Probably benefit from new wishbones and balljoints, but you have to draw a line somewhere i suppose LOL

    ________________________________________

    Cherry Red 306 HDI
    Championship White Integra DC5 Type R
    Posted 14th Jun 2011 at 21:57
    matt.gti6

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    Post #19
    bennn wrote:
    matt.gti6 wrote:
    Top mount kit (x2) ordered from Pug Smile
    All going well this includes bearings (parts person assured me that they are)

    Next up is deciding what else to get...


    Probably benefit from new wishbones and balljoints, but you have to draw a line somewhere i suppose LOL


    Yeah - I have to remind myself that this all started with one component failing...so in theory I should try to replace only what is necessary...starting to think I may just stick with standard ride height so I don't have to disrupt the rear beam. So shopping list would be:

    - 2x top mount kit (bought)
    - 2x standard springs
    - 2x bilstein b4 front shocks

    Can anyone confirm whether GSF (or other motor factor) springs are worth getting, as OEM Peugeot seem quite pricey (about £160 a pair!)
    Posted 14th Jun 2011 at 22:37
    lewisdmz

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    Post #20
    I didn't realise torsion bars were that cheap new, don;t they go for like £90 second hand?

    I'd also add rear beam mounts to your list. Take the KY if you're going to Peugeot though...
    Posted 15th Jun 2011 at 01:48
    matt.gti6

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    Post #21
    Estate tbs (21mm) are £100 each with vat from Peugeot, spoke to them today. Going to leave rear end alone for now, just sort out the front for now. One thing at a time!
    Posted 15th Jun 2011 at 02:27
    matt.gti6

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    Post #22
    Has anyone got the exact Buypartsby part numbers for GTI6 front and rear shock absorbers that they have ordered and are happy with? There are several options to choose from so isn't exactly clear! Am I right in assuming that these will be made by KYB?

    Spoke to GSF and they only have 1 GTi6 coil spring in the whole of the UK...not that useful LOL

    Has anyone got any experience of GSF supplied shocks? Part numbers?
    Posted 15th Jun 2011 at 16:12
    daveyboy

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    Post #23
    matt.gti6 wrote:
    Estate tbs (21mm) are £100 each with vat from Peugeot, spoke to them today. Going to leave rear end alone for now, just sort out the front for now. One thing at a time!


    I had an inside contact at the time I got my bars at a decent price as I recall, sorry.

    ________________________________________

    R H Davey Welding Supplies. I sell new and used welding equipment in the Hampshire area. I take on welding jobs in the evenings, ally casting repairs are one of my specialities but I can weld pretty much anything. PM me with your requirements.

    Some of my services: (See my for sale threads)
    Engine mount/chassis repair
    Solid Beam Mounts BACK IN PRODUCTION
    Harness bars
    Posted 15th Jun 2011 at 17:42
    matt.gti6

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    Post #24
    Car is now back on the road with brand new KYB springs, genuine top mount kits and drop links on both sides Smile

    Thanks for all your advice and help, Cheers!
    Posted 28th Jun 2011 at 15:05

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