Do I need shortened drop links?

[Eren S3]

Hi all

S3 I have at the moment has Pro Sport coilers on the front and I am looking to replace all around with the H&R 25mm springs using the stock shock absorbers. I have a couple of questions with this...

At the moment I am hearing a knocking noise when I go down pretty much most bumps or holes. Possibly the top mount or drop links?

As it's only the front that is lowered at the moment (I believe to about 25mm as there is still some clearance) I will be going for the 25mm drop all around using the stock shock absorbers on the front and just changing springs on the back - thoughts on this? I know it's a performance car so the shocks aren't going to be completely useless, however, I am always interested in opinions or even experience. I rarely have people or anything in the back so the lowered rear won't be an issue load wise.

Finally; with a 25mm drop, if I am going to replace the drop links anyway - if that's what is causing the knock - are shortened drop links advisable or even required? I'm not looking to replace any of the roll bars just yet but eventually I will.

Thanks in advance all

 

[miltybilty]

If you go too low you may need endlinks .... But likely not if your only dropping 25mm

In my experience with running coilovers over 30mm lower than stock .... Shortened links are needed especially with h&r antisway on the front.

I am running racingline 20mm lowering springs on my A38P Quattro and I am using the stock endlinks/droplinks .... No need for aftermarket other than for strength and stiffness.

I'd suggest if your ever going to run low or run air-ride to keep the stock Front sway-bar .... Aftermarket ones have serious clearance issues up front when lowered .... Caused me headaches until I removed my coilovers then I wasn't as low.

If you going to use stock struts I'd suggest using eibach front springs and OEM rears on your S3 as that's supposed to be a good setup for the S3 .... Comfort + better turn-in

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[ch1z64]

If your thinking off changing how your car is set up my advice is seek professional advice because if its done wrong handling will be Sh*t and beleive me when i say it will be costly fixing it . Pm @DamienP

 

[SootySport]

You should really fit a matching set of springs and dampers to all 4 corners, otherwise the overall feel of the car will be a bit odd.
Usually when lowering, shorter droplinks are required else you end up with the dreaded ARB knock as you seem to have. 25mm lowering is not usually enough to fit shorter droplinks but it seems your Prosport coilovers may be lower than you think.
As you plan to fit HR springs and OE shocks, I would think that would sort out any knocking from the ARB. If you already bought them then nothing to loose.

 

[miltybilty]

Hi sooty ....

As sootysport said, the h&r and OEM struts should fix arb knocking if you have some right now ....

.... By the way .... When I ever suggest eibach it's not because I am forcing my opinion .... Just suggesting what seems like a good spring option, based off of those who have actually put the eibach pro-kit springs on the front of there S3 and had good results ....
-Damian@dpm will be able to help you if need be....

I have never really heard good things about the ride comfort of h&r .... I don't believe it's really there .... I personally wouldn't ever put h&r coils or springs on a vehicle of mine, based off of reveiws and a friend who had h&r street coils on his Mk6 .... Ruff like a ....

Now a question for sooty .... Do you own an S3? If so, have you ever tried the S3 8P pro-kit front springs on your car?






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[Eren S3]

You should really fit a matching set of springs and dampers to all 4 corners, otherwise the overall feel of the car will be a bit odd.
Usually when lowering, shorter droplinks are required else you end up with the dreaded ARB knock as you seem to have. 25mm lowering is not usually enough to fit shorter droplinks but it seems your Prosport coilovers may be lower than you think.
As you plan to fit HR springs and OE shocks, I would think that would sort out any knocking from the ARB. If you already bought them then nothing to loose.

Yeah unfortunately when I bougut the car it only ever came with coilovers on the front and while I had the rears which were unused I never put them on as I was unsure on the brand. I already have the shocks but yet to purchase the springs. If you guys seem to think that'll sort the knock out I'll go for it!

 

[Eren S3]

If your thinking off changing how your car is set up my advice is seek professional advice because if its done wrong handling will be Sh*t and beleive me when i say it will be costly fixing it . Pm @DamienP

Thanks for the heads up. Yeah I would always seek professional advice before anything like this, the drop links were what I thought was causing the knock so that's why I mentioned changing them.

Hi sooty ....

As sootysport said, the h&r and OEM struts should fix arb knocking if you have some right now ....

.... By the way .... When I ever suggest eibach it's not because I am forcing my opinion .... Just suggesting what seems like a good spring option, based off of those who have actually put the eibach pro-kit springs on the front of there S3 and had good results ....
-Damian@dpm will be able to help you if need be....

I have never really heard good things about the ride comfort of h&r .... I don't believe it's really there .... I personally wouldn't ever put h&r coils or springs on a vehicle of mine, based off of reveiws and a friend who had h&r street coils on his Mk6 .... Ruff like a ....

Now a question for sooty .... Do you own an S3? If so, have you ever tried the S3 8P pro-kit front springs on your car?

I suppose it's a compromise between comfort and handling. The look of the 25mm drop is something I'm personally drawn to. Comfort wise, it's generally only me in the car and one other every now and then so it's not super important at the moment. I hear lots of pros for the H&R on here too. It's good to hear all the opinions though thanks for the reply!






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[ch1z64]

Yeah unfortunately when I bougut the car it only ever came with coilovers on the front and while I had the rears which were unused I never put them on as I was unsure on the brand. I already have the shocks but yet to purchase the springs. If you guys seem to think that'll sort the knock out I'll go for it!

Now that you have 4 coilovers 2 on 2 off check out they are from same company , av a chat as i said b4 with @DamienP and see what he would advise you to do ie find part numbers off coilovers as you might be able to have 4 fitted and lower car

 

[Eren S3]

Just dug out the receipt. The grille was £258.14 exc.VAT (£290.05 all in) from TPS. Their part number is 8P0853651A3FZ

Now that you have 4 coilovers 2 on 2 off check out they are from same company , av a chat as i said b4 with @DamienP and see what he would advise you to do ie find part numbers off coilovers as you might be able to have 4 fitted and lower car

I will do, thanks for that I'll let you know the outcome.

Edit: Just going forward with this, in any case I will probably need some help fitting the new suspension whatever the set up will be. I have just relocated to Clevedon near Bristol and have no tools with me or even a flat place to jack the car up! Is anyone in the know of someone nearby who would be able to help out with the job? Thanks all

 

[SootySport]

Never had Eibachs on my A3, I'm allOE, but did fit them to my old Renault cup track car a few years ago and they were firm but comfortable.

If you need help, Autotek in Moor lane Are VW specialists, hopefully someone on the forum will give the low down on them.

 

[Eren S3]

Never had Eibachs on my A3, I'm allOE, but did fit them to my old Renault cup track car a few years ago and they were firm but comfortable.

If you need help, Autotek in Moor lane Are VW specialists, hopefully someone on the forum will give the low down on them.

Car is booked in with Autotek on Saturday to have the springs changed. Initially quoted £150 to change all 4 springs. Considering I can't do it myself at the moment I'm pretty happy with that quote. I'll let you all know how it goes, they seem clued up on their stuff so I have good hopes.

 

[SootySport]

£150 is a fair price, go with it.

 

[Eren S3]

I'll vouch for Autotek. Great guys, a job well done. Got some photos of the car the day it was done. I'll post some and then a photo or two after the springs have settled.

 

[Eren S3]

This is the day after it was lowered. Sits much prettier with all 4 corners lowered.