Broken road spring

AdrianH · 10-07-23, 09:03 AM

Immediately I've got the Quattro running nicely again and a working radio/cassette player, and 'pa-clunk' –*the front O/S spring snaps. Great. First time I've ever had a spring break on any car actually.

What are the options here? I don't want to lower it, or uprate the springs or anything like that,*just original spec. Any pointers, or is it just a case of phoning around the usual suppliers and keeping an eye on eBay?

Hanuman · 10-07-23, 09:48 AM

The same place that produced the uprated coils for the ur have the specs to be able to run off a set. Assuming that they’re still in business.
An original, but obviously used, set of coils was used to create the benchmark for the uprate.

The uprated versions made for a group buy came in two versions, iirc. 25%, or 30% uprate, but intending to retain standard ride height. A small oversight saw the free length of the springs not being set properly, resulting in loose springs on assembly until there was weight on wheels. That could easily have been corrected.

I do have a full set of original coils (1985 WR, non-a/c) sitting around from when I did my suspension rebuild. They’re surplus, but as I’m not in the country at present or for a while, they may be of little use to you. They’re also in need of properly cleaning up, and painting.

AdrianH · 10-07-23, 10:34 AM

I'll PM you. Not getting any joy in the usual places and I need the car back on the road.

darreno'd' · 11-07-23, 03:34 AM

Be really careful, I sourced some from bilstein about three years ago to do my suspension and bush replacement. The ones supplied were the wrong height originally, and also wrong rate.

darreno'd' · 11-07-23, 03:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hanuman

The same place that produced the uprated coils for the ur have the specs to be able to run off a set. Assuming that they’re still in business.
An original, but obviously used, set of coils was used to create the benchmark for the uprate.

The uprated versions made for a group buy came in two versions, iirc. 25%, or 30% uprate, but intending to retain standard ride height. A small oversight saw the free length of the springs not being set properly, resulting in loose springs on assembly until there was weight on wheels. That could easily have been corrected.

Problem here is the death of the quattroforum where all the information and discussion was for this, I tried to find it when I was looking

AdrianH · 11-07-23, 03:55 PM

(Ignore this –*I missed Darren's earlier post)

Digging around on the internet, Bilstein claim their part number 36-227464 is a fit for the urQuattro – as well as the Typ 89 80/90 and Coupes. Specifically, a replacement for Audi part number 893 411 105 B which is obviously not the original spring p/n which I think is 853 511 115C.

Is anyone able to confirm this will work? Seems a bit iffy to me but if it gets the car mobile again without compromising the handling I guess it could be OK. At any rate they could do until something better comes along.

AdrianH · 11-07-23, 04:53 PM

I must admit, not being able to obtain a spare part as simple as a road spring is starting to put me off these cars, much as I love them. Basically you need the car, and a shed full of replacement components.

BackintheFold · 11-07-23, 08:02 PM

Car and a spare car

AdrianH · 31-07-23, 09:15 AM

Quick update. This broken spring is a gift that keeps on giving. Made a start stripping things down on Saturday and immediately discovered that the hex in the O/S strut had been rounded out by some previous cowboy. And not just rounded out, but actually split. So nothing I've been able to try has been able grip it and enable me to undo the top nut. I tried drilling and tapping down the centre to get a suitably sized hex screw in, so I could apply some counter torque. But that just stripped out. So it's Dremel time and I'll just cut the top nut apart. The damper is scrap anyway. Fortunately the other side was fine and came apart in no time. More new tools arriving soon, and hopeful that I'll source some springs from somewhere (thanks for your advice here Hanuman).

I'm thinking the rears will be a fiddle too, with more restricted access to the turrets. Any words of wisdom?

BackintheFold · 31-07-23, 10:33 AM

I have used a nut on the strut loosely wound on the strut to prevent the strut from splitting when holding it with a hex key.
Bit late for you/this strut, but might help in other ones.

10-07-23, 09:48 AM	#2
Hanuman Trickster Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Heckling from the cheap seats, Phnom Penh, KoW Posts: 7,016	The same place that produced the uprated coils for the ur have the specs to be able to run off a set. Assuming that they’re still in business. An original, but obviously used, set of coils was used to create the benchmark for the uprate. The uprated versions made for a group buy came in two versions, iirc. 25%, or 30% uprate, but intending to retain standard ride height. A small oversight saw the free length of the springs not being set properly, resulting in loose springs on assembly until there was weight on wheels. That could easily have been corrected. I do have a full set of original coils (1985 WR, non-a/c) sitting around from when I did my suspension rebuild. They’re surplus, but as I’m not in the country at present or for a while, they may be of little use to you. They’re also in need of properly cleaning up, and painting. __________________ I wish they would keep the damned Chinese away now that I can go home, so that I can enjoy Fish amok and a draught Angkor

11-07-23, 03:34 AM	#4
darreno'd' Mr Sixty Thousand!! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: berkshire Posts: 1,729	Be really careful, I sourced some from bilstein about three years ago to do my suspension and bush replacement. The ones supplied were the wrong height originally, and also wrong rate. __________________ http://www.oesems.co.uk/

11-07-23, 03:55 PM	#6
AdrianH Grown up member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 218	(Ignore this –I missed Darren's earlier post) Digging around on the internet, Bilstein claim their part number 36-227464 is a fit for the urQuattro – as well as the Typ 89 80/90 and Coupes. Specifically, a replacement for Audi part number 893 411 105 B which is obviously not the original spring p/n which I think is 853 511 115C. Is anyone able to confirm this will work? Seems a bit iffy to me but if it gets the car mobile again without compromising the handling I guess it could be OK. At any rate they could do until something better comes along. Last edited by AdrianH; 11-07-23 at 04:42 PM.*

11-07-23, 08:02 PM	#8
BackintheFold Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Near an MB ur Quattro Posts: 1,190	Car and a spare car __________________ 2006 A3 (daily drive) 1987 MB ur

31-07-23, 10:33 AM	#10
BackintheFold Senior Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Near an MB ur Quattro Posts: 1,190	I have used a nut on the strut loosely wound on the strut to prevent the strut from splitting when holding it with a hex key. Bit late for you/this strut, but might help in other ones. __________________ 2006 A3 (daily drive) 1987 MB ur

10-07-23, 10:34 AM	#3
AdrianH Grown up member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 218	I'll PM you. Not getting any joy in the usual places and I need the car back on the road.

11-07-23, 04:53 PM	#7
AdrianH Grown up member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 218	I must admit, not being able to obtain a spare part as simple as a road spring is starting to put me off these cars, much as I love them. Basically you need the car, and a shed full of replacement components.

31-07-23, 09:15 AM	#9
AdrianH Grown up member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 218	Quick update. This broken spring is a gift that keeps on giving. Made a start stripping things down on Saturday and immediately discovered that the hex in the O/S strut had been rounded out by some previous cowboy. And not just rounded out, but actually split. So nothing I've been able to try has been able grip it and enable me to undo the top nut. I tried drilling and tapping down the centre to get a suitably sized hex screw in, so I could apply some counter torque. But that just stripped out. So it's Dremel time and I'll just cut the top nut apart. The damper is scrap anyway. Fortunately the other side was fine and came apart in no time. More new tools arriving soon, and hopeful that I'll source some springs from somewhere (thanks for your advice here Hanuman). I'm thinking the rears will be a fiddle too, with more restricted access to the turrets. Any words of wisdom?