[Vwdiesel] strut reviews

[Patrick Dolan]

Personally, I prefer as much spring rate and damping as I can get.  On our A4, we run the VW Eurosport setup (Bilstein & Eibach), but at better than a g-note, not appropriate for an A2 DD.  I have used just about every insert and rear shock available for A1 and A2 cars, and come to the conclusion that this is one time where you really DO get what you pay for.  US manufacturers are completely out of the question, about the only Asians I trust are the folks at KYB, but even then, not that good for durability.  The Sachs, Boge, etc. middle of the road Euros are more than adequate, but Koni or Bilstein definitely top the list (and cost).

If you encounter a lot of really rough roads, you will want gas struts and shocks, but gas-filed strut cartidges are (at least were last time I looked) not that common.

When you say "slow return", just how slow do you mean?  A REALLY agressive strut might take a full second in rebound, but it doesn't sound like that is what you have.  Once they are dry, it is common for them to actually seize up, and you may be entering that stage - which means time to get on with changing stuff.

----- Original Message -----
From: "S. Shourds" <sshourds at flash.net>
Date: Sunday, April 13, 2008 11:41 pm
Subject: [Vwdiesel] strut reviews

> I finally got a little time to look at the front end of my '85 
> Jetta 
> TD.  I know I need to replace the leaking rack and all of the tie 
> rod 
> ends and various control arm bushings.  While I was at it, I 
> bounced the 
> bumpers to check the shocks/struts.  Backs were fine.  Passenger 
> side 
> was fine.  Driver's side, I pushed it down and it ever so slowly 
> rose 
> back up.  I'm only familiar with the mode where it acts normal or 
> bounces forever.  Nevertheless, I guess I need to replace the 
> fronts.  
> #&$@.  Any recommendations on struts?  Autohausaz has two Sachs-
> Boge 
> inserts:   a standard and an upgraded one.  Thoughts on those?  
> Other 
> recomnendations?  This is entirely a daily driver not an autocross 
> car 
> so I don't want to spend a bunch of money on it, but I do like the 
> way 
> an A2 in good shape drives. 
> 
> 
> Thanks
> 
> -Shalyn
> 
> 
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