S2/RS2 Spring Info

[JonRS2]

Hello,

My 1995 RHD RS2 is still on its original springs (front and rear) but they are corroded and in need of replacement. It is also on its original rear shocks.

I think the correct Audi part number for the front springs is: 895411105A per the first post on this thread from 2008.

I think the correct Audi part number for the rear springs is: 8A0511115CQ per the first post on this thread from 2008.

Does anyone know which company made those original springs, or where I can source new replacements with exactly the same specification?

The original rear shocks should probably be replaced too. I think they are Boge, with Audi part number 8A0513029AF. Does anyone know where I can source new replacements with exactly the same specification? Are Bilstein B8 24-062145 a direct replacement, or are they stiffer than the original Boge rear shocks?

For reference, the original front shocks were replaced with new Bilstein B6 34-030868 front shocks in April 2018.

I don't want to raise or lower the ride height. I have been happy enough with the original suspension, and with the Bilstein B6 34-030868 front shocks.

Thank you

[Tractor Dave]

If you have deep pockets the original rear shocks were still available from Audi Tradition when i last looked. The original springs are very strong and much better made than modern stuff. I have always sand blasted and powder coated the originals in preference to new aftermarket ones.
If you do go the Bilstein route, be aware that the perch height is incorrect and needs adjusting before fitting. Bilstein know this but have never fixed it
I prefer Koni shocks but rear ones are nla and hard to find. In my view the Koni shocks set quite soft are closer to the original ride quality. Bilstein give a much firmer ride. If you can find second hand Koni shocks, they do an good refurb service. They come back like new.

[JonRS2]

Thank you very much Dave. Most helpful as always.

[Tractor Dave]

Thats for one

[Solfella]

Does anyone know which company made those original springs, or where I can source new replacements with exactly the same specification?

I recently got some NOS front springs from Old Audi Parts in Germany. The web site isn't all that so it's easier to contact him directly with PNs and enquire at anfrage@oldaudiparts.de - they seem to have all sorts of stock, NOS and used.

[Solfella]

If you do go the Bilstein route, be aware that the perch height is incorrect and needs adjusting before fitting. Bilstein know this but have never fixed it

Hello Dave - may I ask about this? I have B6s about to (cough - when I get the time) go into an ABY S2 on stock springs. Does it affect front and rears and what's the procedure/adjustment amount required here? Thank you.

[Tractor Dave]

It only affects rears. I will search for the thread.

[Tractor Dave]

https://www.s2forum.com/forum/member...ension-rebuild

Lots of other threads about it. Just use Google to search the forum.

[Solfella]

Wilco - like this https://www.s2forum.com/forum/techni...rd-ride-height, and therein, https://www.audiworld.com/forums/aud...again-2754105/, which has a really useful explanation from Lago Blue

However, and apologies Dave, I think I may have confused myself here and wasted your time. No circlip adjustable spring perch on the rear Billies for the ABY S2 as the S2 is on McPhersons? And by extension - does this mean the height issue only affects CQs and RS2s?

[Tractor Dave]

S2 Coupes and CQ have different rear suspension and use inserts like the front. Rs2, S2 Avants and S2 saloons all have inverted coil over design at the rear, not inserts.

[Colesy]

However, and apologies Dave, I think I may have confused myself here and wasted your time. No circlip adjustable spring perch on the rear Billies for the ABY S2 as the S2 is on McPhersons? And by extension - does this mean the height issue only affects CQs and RS2s?

I bought Bilsteins for the rear of my S2 Avant and had to have them machined with a perch/groove for the correct ride height. By all accounts they used to come with grooves at various heights but these seemed to be missing on the struts I bought.

[JonRS2]

Thank you, Solfella and Colesy.

Colesy, how have you found the Bilsteins (with machined perch/groove) on the rear of your S2 Avant? Is the ride much stiffer than with the stock Boge or is it only slightly stiffer? Are they paired with stock springs?

[JonRS2]

If the existing rear springs on my RS2 turn out to be too corroded for sand-blasting and powder coating (I am not sure yet), does anyone know where I could get a pair of rear springs made new of equivalent quality, height, spring rate, etc to the Audi RS2 original rear springs? I think the original RS2 part number for the rear springs is 8A0511115CQ with 2x silver dots and 3x orange dots (per the first post on this thread). They would be paired with 2x new Bilstein B8 with the required circlip grooves.

Alternatively, I have been advised to get new KW V1 Classic Line suspension front and rear on my RS2. My initial view is "no", but does anyone think that new KW V1 Classic Line suspension front and rear would be preferable to Bilstein B6 at the front, new Bilstein B8 at the rear with Audi RS2 original (or equivalent) springs front and rear?

[K Simmonds]

S2/RS2 springs last very well and rarely rot past being savable, I don't think I've ever seen one snap...

I'd also much prefer to stick with stock springs and B6/8's over KW's which I don't rate very highly compared to the stock set up...

Normal S2 Avant springs would be fine on the back of an RS2 if you can't find OE replacements. I fitted a set of stock S2 Avant springs all round to my car to do away with cheap lowering springs as a temporary measure and it looks and handles just like a well sorted stock example. There is only a tiny difference between the two cars suspension wise.

[K Simmonds]

Just thinking outside the box a little here as I've been on B5 suspension duty recently, perhaps the rear springs from a B5 S4 or RS4 would work well and retain OE ride quality as well as being readily available for a sane price. They would physically fit no problem as the B4 quattro rear set up on is virtually identical to the B5 quattro. So much so that the guy I work with is using the complete B5 assembly to convert a B4 FWD car to quattro, as have a few members on here.

The only issue I can see is the ride height as obviously the body's are very different. I'll do a bit of digging about online and see if I can find spring rate's and lengths to compare to stock S2 Avant/RS2 rears. I'll find the B5 with closet axle weights to start with then go from there, it might be a winner or a total non starter but if that is an option then it would be good info for all B4 Avant quattro owners.

Also most of the B5 rear bushes are identical which is useful as again they can still be obtained. In fact I got a Sticky for finding out that B5 upper arm bushes are a direct replacement for the B4 ones as my car desperately needed them changing and TPS had them in stock for a very reasonable price so I had them the day I required them. That's for the pressed steel arms, I'm not sure about the forged ones, I suspect the same applies but haven't had an opportunity to check.