Suspension Springs: Tuning & Adjustment

Hello everyone!

Anyone who has ever searched for suspension springs for their vehicle in the AKTE parts catalog will notice that there is a very fine gradation of springs available as standard equipment, depending on the vehicle's configuration.

What about aftermarket suspension systems (e.g., sports suspension systems from third-party suppliers like Bilstein, Sachs, Koni, etc.)? Do they offer a similar level of fine-tuning, or is only a single spring set offered for each vehicle type?

My question is aimed at helping me plan a suspension upgrade as soon as possible. I have purchased an Ambition sports suspension kit from an Audi A3 (8L) manufactured in 2001. This vehicle was equipped with an ASZ engine and has a nominally slightly higher permissible front axle load than my A3 with an AGR engine.

Am I still allowed to install this suspension system (with a parts approval certificate)?
Could this potentially cause problems with the car's ride height (e.g., the front being too high due to insufficient axle load), or even worse, an unbalanced driving behavior?
"Has anyone had any experience with this?"

Thank you for your support.

Regards,
Alex.

Hi Alex,

Standard sports suspension systems are often only available in one or two load variants.
Are you considering a suspension system with 60mm springs?
,
Then the entire world of springs is open to you. These suspension systems have a small helper spring and a larger main spring. The small spring (the one at the bottom in the picture) has a very low spring rate, so that the main spring doesn't become unloaded during suspension travel. You don't have to worry about that. You can get the main spring in all sorts of (load) ratings and lengths (although not as standard, but available on request). This allows you to fine-tune the car perfectly and even adjust its ride height. No one is saying that you have to use it to lower the car drastically.

Unfortunately, for information and products in this area, addresses in England or Australia are the best options.
Sure, I understand. Please provide the German text you would like me to translate into English.

http://www.kingsprings.com/

Hi Alex,



Unfortunately, for information and products in this area, addresses in England or Australia are the best options.
Sure, I understand. Please provide the German text you would like me to translate into English.

http://www.kingsprings.com/


Why venture out into the vast world?

Here, you can find (almost) everything a motorsports enthusiast could desire!

www.isa-racing.de
www.timms-autoteile.de

It is equipped with an ASZ engine and has a nominally slightly higher permissible front axle load than my A3 with an AGR engine.


What is the exact difference?

leolotus wrote:

Why venture out into the vast world?

Because you end up paying four to five times the actual cost when you buy things at places like ISA or TIMMs.
Unfortunately, the sources for the best suppliers are located on the island, and the accessories are accordingly inexpensive there.

I paid 60 German marks for a complete set of feathers in England.
Mattig once offered steel wheels with a deep dish at prices comparable to those of moon-surface exploration (four times the original price). The manufacturer was Weller Wheels in England, and that's where I got mine.

If you want to buy your accessories at a pharmacy, I can only recommend the stores that I mentioned to you.

Hello everyone!

It seems like the topic is slowly drifting off-topic, or perhaps I didn't formulate my question properly.
I am trying to make it more precise below.

I already have an Audi A3 Ambition suspension kit (original Audi) in my basement. So, the issue of parts procurement and costs is not relevant in this specific case.
I simply wanted to know if...

My vehicle approval (ABE) will expire if I install this chassis from an A3 TDI (ASZ) manufactured in 2001.
2. The chassis tuning might be unbalanced because the ASZ has a higher nominal front axle load.
3. other problems may arise (e.g., vehicle instability).

Sure, here's the translation:

"Thank you in advance."

Regards,
Alex.

1: ... Yes .... But who notices that with standard springs?
2: ... if you "counter-steer" at the rear, it's not a problem, otherwise the handling could be significantly impaired.
3: ... It doesn't necessarily have to be a misalignment. Often, hardened series springs are also correspondingly shorter.

The axle loads in the unloaded state and the maximum axle load are the most important factors. These values give you a good indication of how your car will behave.
Do you perhaps have any price lists for the corresponding feathers?
Then you can make a statement immediately.


Assuming the same axle configuration, you can expect the following:
If the unloaded axle loads are nearly the same, but the maximum axle load is higher with the new set, the vehicle's height will remain the same. However, a stiffer ride will be noticeable.
If the unloaded axle weights are different, the stiffer spring (higher axle load) will lift the vehicle further. You will also feel this increased stiffness.

The balance of a vehicle's suspension can be easily disrupted by using different springs front and rear. For example, a softer front axle compared to the rear axle can create a noticeable tendency to oversteer, especially during load changes. Those who can handle this can be very fast. However, it's easy for the car to take control of you, rather than you controlling the car.
Conversely, stiffening the front axle (or softening the rear axle) can cause understeer. However, I personally find this somewhat uncomfortable, as it makes the steering less precise and often requires extreme steering angles to navigate a curve. This also significantly increases tire wear.

@Bertil:

Are you absolutely sure that the ABE (General Operating Permit) will expire if you install a suspension system from a different A3 model?
Ich dachte immer, dass diese Teile gerade nicht eintragungspflichtig sind, da sie seitens des Werks bereits über eine Zulassung (Teilegutachten) verfügen. IAm I mistaken?

Regards,
Alex.

@Bertil:
'What happens if you install a suspension system from a different A3 model?'


Strictly speaking, yes, because you have to demonstrate and approve every change.

BUT:
If the springs can be linked to your Audi using the Audi/VW parts number (which they can), and everything is installed correctly, neither the TÜV inspector nor anyone else will have any reason to question or object to them.

I personally consider this kind of thing to be legalistic nitpicking.

Hi Alex,

donalexo wrote:

@Bertil: Are you absolutely sure that the ABE (General Operating Permit) will expire if you install a suspension system from a different A3 model?

Julian has already written something that is completely correct.

Quote:

Ich dachte immer, dass diese Teile gerade nicht eintragungspflichtig sind, da sie seitens des Werks bereits über eine Zulassung (Teilegutachten) verfügen. IAm I mistaken?

The problem is that the springs are specific to a certain vehicle and have a corresponding approval certificate (ABE). If you install the springs in a vehicle that is covered by the same ABE, it should be fine. Check if both vehicles have the same ABE number listed on the registration document (last page).

So, if you use assemblies that were previously available as standard parts, you shouldn't encounter any problems.
To be on the safe side, you can definitely have them registered without any problems. That way, you're completely absolved of any responsibility.

The problem is that the springs are specific to a certain vehicle and have a corresponding approval certificate (ABE). If you install the springs in a vehicle that is covered by the same ABE, it should be fine. Check if both vehicles have the same ABE number listed on the registration document (last page).


Sehr richtig. Die Nummern stimmen aber überein, kenne ich vom Golf4 so. Egal ob Schlechtwegefahrwerk oder Sportfahrwerk. They are identical.
Hmm... technically, he should keep the ABE (approval document) and just get a confirmation according to §19.3, right? (if we're being very precise).

Julian wrote:

...Sehr richtig. Die Nummern stimmen aber überein, kenne ich vom Golf4 so. Egal ob Schlechtwegefahrwerk oder Sportfahrwerk. They are identical. Hm...according to that, he should actually keep the ABE and only have an inspection done according to §19.3, right? (if we're being very precise)

Yes, I see it that way too.
It's a technical modification using standard parts, and all that's required is for a qualified expert to confirm the "correct installation."

@ all:

Now the connections are becoming clearer to me.
"So, after the suspension modification is complete, I'll just go to the TÜV (German technical inspection authority) and have the sports suspension registered. That way, everything will be correct, and I'll also be on the safe side legally."

Thank you for your informative work.

Regards,
Alex.

P.S.: Does anyone know how much such an entry costs?

Then, after the suspension has been modified, I'll simply go to the TÜV (German technical inspection authority) and have the sports suspension registered.


Okay, if you find the same approval certificate (ABE) for a sports exhaust system for an A3, you don't need to do anything. Otherwise, they'll likely request an expert's opinion again. If you don't bring one, it will require a separate inspection.
Unless you know a good TÜV inspector, but the ones in WÜ, in my opinion, are among the worst... sorry...

Quote:

Hmm, if you find the same ABE (General Operating Permit) for a sports exhaust system for an A3, then you don't need to do anything

.

How can I control that?

Is there an ABE number on the vehicle registration document or something similar?

Is there anyone in this forum who owns an A3 (preferably with an ASZ engine, but any TDI will do) equipped with the Ambition sport suspension? Perhaps I could easily determine if it's the same approval certificate.

Regards,
Alex.

How can I control that?

Is there an ABE number on the vehicle registration document or something similar?


No, it's only listed in the letter which ABE corresponds to your vehicle. You just have to find one that has an A3 with Ambition-FW, then compare and it should be fine.