A front top mount question.

Lots of speculation, especially about springs.
But, let's not forget, there are two different A2 front struts, (and part numbers), for Sport and Standard. We don't know what that difference is.
It could be dimensional, seat position, shaft length, etc, or it could be damping characteristics.

But, there is a difference between the two struts. Could we leave springs to one side, until we know what it is?
Mac.
 
At the moment I don’t have the necessary tools around to make a proper measurement at the maximum extension and compression. For my part though, I am becoming fairly confident that the Bilsteins I have won’t change the ride height in any meaningful way. I judge the two measurements of the spring seat height to be the same (give or take a couple mm). I think the angle in my picture makes it seem like the bottom of the strut is at 26cm but it is actually more like 25, and I believe the pinch bolt position (centre of the hole) to be at exactly the same distance (22.2) as in @Andrew’s picture. Which is to say that, at this point, I am happy to be the “guinea pig” for this experiment. I am planning to get these fitted in the next weeks, keeping my sport springs. I will report back after I manage to do that, with pictures and measurements of my ride height before and after.
 
Mihai said:
At the moment I don’t have the necessary tools around to make a proper measurement at the maximum extension and compression. For my part though, I am becoming fairly confident that the Bilsteins I have won’t change the ride height in any meaningful way. I judge the two measurements of the spring seat height to be the same (give or take a couple mm). I think the angle in my picture makes it seem like the bottom of the strut is at 26cm but it is actually more like 25, and I believe the pinch bolt position (centre of the hole) to be at exactly the same distance (22.2) as in @Andrew’s picture. Which is to say that, at this point, I am happy to be the “guinea pig” for this experiment. I am planning to get these fitted in the next weeks, keeping my sport springs. I will report back after I manage to do that, with pictures and measurements of my ride height before and after.
Click to expand...
🤞
Mac.
 
I've had a further reply from Bilstein, which doesn't help with the ride height mystery.

"... 22-105813 and 22-196309 are very similar, both dimensionally and in their force figures. There is approx. 2mm difference in spring seat height between the two, which will make no discernible difference.

Without having an OE damper to take accurate measurements of we couldn’t confirm, however there is nothing that we can see by comparing our two drawings that suggests there would be much difference in ride height, if any, in fitting one type over the other."

I'll leave it there, and see how @Mihai gets on.
Mac.
 
PlasticMac said:
"... 22-105813 and 22-196309 are very similar, both dimensionally and in their force figures. There is approx. 2mm difference in spring seat height between the two, which will make no discernible difference
Click to expand...
Good Evening Mac,

The quote then rather begs the question why do they make two? .... and why is one billed as Sport?

Andy
 
You're right, doesn't make sense.
Can't see Audi production having two parts that are virtually the same, and the same logic would, you'd think, apply to the Bilstein aftermarket catalogue.
I can understand that the obvious, and widely used, way to get the lowering is with spring, and goodness knows, there are enough of them, in the Audi parts list, let alone the aftermarket! But two, apparently different build standards, as shown on 7zap, and in the workshops manual (alignment chart), points to something other than springs.
Don't suppose there's any clue on your OEM strut, as to the OEM manufacturer was?
If only we could get hold of an original OEM non Sport strut, and do our own comparison.
Vive la difference!
Mac.
 
Last edited:
PlasticMac said:
Don't suppose there's any clue on your OEM strut, as to the OEM manufacturer was?
Click to expand...
Good Afternoon Mac,

Not really, there is a second sticker but unreadable.

1728054045562.jpeg


PlasticMac said:
If only we could get hold of an original OEM non Sport strut, and do our own comparison.
Click to expand...
I am sure there will be, or soon(ish) available, but not really worth the postage.

Andy
 
I looked at a 2004 sales brochure, and it shows the Sport as having "Quattro Gmbh Sport Suspension" as standard.
Mine's a 2004 Sport, and in the PR Code list Suspension is G08.
I came upon a non Sport PR list, online, which lists front suspension as G22.
I wonder if all Sports are G08, and all Standards are G22?
Mac.
 
Final, probably definitive, word from Bilstein Technical Centre, in Germany:
22-196309 and 22-105813 (Sport vs. Standard) only differ in their individual set-up.
Item number 22-196309 has a stiffer set-up.
The technical dimensions are identical.
The Bilstein Sport version has stiffer damping.
If the OEM struts are the same, lower ride height looks to be down to the Sport spring, being shorter, so needing stiffer damping, due to a little less travel?
Mac
 
I came across this, on here, when looking for something else, solves the mystery. The Sport has different spacers, at the front than the Standard. Rear bump stops also different.
So ride height is nothing to do with struts, or springs.
The Sport shockers are slightly stiffer, at least the Bilstein ones.

1J0 512 149 B -SE rear spring upper seat or,
1J0 512 149 - Sport rear spring upper seat (10mm thinner than SE version).
6Q0 512 131 B - SE rear bump stop or,
8Z0 512 131 C - Sport rear bump stop.
Mac.
 
PlasticMac said:
I came across this, on here, when looking for something else, solves the mystery. The Sport has different spacers, at the front than the Standard. Rear bump stops also different.
So ride height is nothing to do with struts, or springs.
The Sport shockers are slightly stiffer, at least the Bilstein ones.

1J0 512 149 B -SE rear spring upper seat or,
1J0 512 149 - Sport rear spring upper seat (10mm thinner than SE version).
6Q0 512 131 B - SE rear bump stop or,
8Z0 512 131 C - Sport rear bump stop.
Mac.
Click to expand...
Mac, I did say this back in post #45 and it is confirmed in the definitive suspension thread where all the suspension part numbers are listed. It's always been known that the difference between the Sport and SE suspension is just 10mm but it does get very confusing with there being so many different spring colour codes specified and fitted from new 👍
 
A2Z said:
Mac, I did say this back in post #45 and it is confirmed in the definitive suspension thread where all the suspension part numbers are listed. It's always been known that the difference between the Sport and SE suspension is just 10mm but it does get very confusing with there being so many different spring colour codes specified and fitted from new 👍
Click to expand...
We're still not sure about the front though. Must be springs?
Mac.
 
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