Time to replace my springs, shock/struts.

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MY1STVW

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 15, 2004
Location
Lee's Summit, MO
TDI
Passat TDI Wagon 2004
A long time ago I read a post about someone installing Audi A6 springs, shock/struts to increase the ride height.
I want to increase the ride height 1" to 2" from the stock ride height.
If this is not possible can anyone recommend what I should buy? I like to keep the soft ride.
I have been looking around www.idparts.com for a set.
 
C

CantWrite

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2021
Location
Placerville CO
TDI
2005 Passat Wagon (BHW/5-spd conv, 03T). I keep in touch with the (2) ALH's I sold.
@MY1STVW; Did you ever get your suspension replaced?

And did you follow minigman's advice?

I need to do the same and was considering the Bilstein HD Set. Didn't see it on IDparts website but Rockauto had them listed.

Thanks!
 
S

Spring1898

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2014
Location
US
I used Bilstein HD's on my B5.5 in combo with rough road spring package of increased weight capacity from europe for towing. I gained probably about 2cm with those. Added larger tires for another cm. About as high as you will get without some spacer I think.

Ride was a bit stiffer but better overall. The stock suspension is too mushy for me.

Bilsteins might give you a little height for a while, but the springs are what keep you there. Not sure about the OP and using a6 springs.
 
C

CantWrite

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2021
Location
Placerville CO
TDI
2005 Passat Wagon (BHW/5-spd conv, 03T). I keep in touch with the (2) ALH's I sold.
@Spring1898 After all the reading I have done, Bilstein HD's are my planned route, with stock springs. An inch lift sounds appealing though, do you have a photo of your car? The only annoyance about the Passat if I am being totally vain is the inset of the factory wheels relative to the width of the body coupled with the tire size relative to the diameter of the wheel opening. I wish the designers made it look closer to the allroads, cause I really like that stance.

What tire size did you go with, any issues with rubbing? I have 2 sets of factory wheels and run summers/and studded winters (nokian).

Thinking further, 200k miles on stock springs, maybe I should do the springs while I am at it, do you have part numbers for those springs?

https://forums.tdiclub.com/index.php?threads/installing-rough-road-suspension-rear.222564/ found this thread but it might be old information. Will also look for MoGolf's thread for the front.
 
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Spring1898

Veteran Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2014
Location
US
Rough Road springs were D/C'd already unfortunately a few years back. Frans from Dutch Auto Parts might have source for aftermarket alternatives, I think he mentioned some higher than stock too. Custom Springs are also possible but expensive.

The biggest issue with the NA springs, is that VW went with the softest spring for use here. Stiffer springs made a huge difference for me in handling, body roll, and ride quality.

I don't have photo, but the stance is notably higher but subtle enough not to be obtrusive. Wider tires make for a wider looking stance and the lift makes it look more aggressive. I took it to a VW dealer once and the service guys just stared as it went by. Then the young tech promptly stalled it, to the embarrassment of the service dept. They gave it a very thorough cleaning afterwards as apology.

The picture of the white wagon is closest to mine, though the wheel well is filled in more because of the larger tire.
https://forums.tdiclub.com/index.php?threads/installing-rough-road-suspension-front.223273/


Tire size has been either 205/60 R16 or 215 55 R16 depending on application, neither has issues with rubbing. Up to 225's were used stock (W8 I think). There was someone who put on 205/65R16 but without power mods I suspect that would be sluggish off the line.
 
jay.sejkora2011

jay.sejkora2011

Active member
Joined
Sep 26, 2012
Location
Raleigh NC
TDI
2012 Passat SEL, 2009 Jetta Sportwagen,2006 Jetta- sold, 2006 Jetta- sold, 2001 Jetta-sold
Any updates on taller/stiffer springs to use?
 
C

CantWrite

Veteran Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2021
Location
Placerville CO
TDI
2005 Passat Wagon (BHW/5-spd conv, 03T). I keep in touch with the (2) ALH's I sold.
To limit further delay, I just installed the rear Bilstein HD's (B6's) with my stock NA wagon springs and have been very happy in the interim. Stiffer in the rear without being harsh, and no bottoming out "thud" noise transferring into the cabin like before. I feel much more secure driving my mountain pass commute well above the posted SL.

I also have the front Bilstein HD's, but am waiting to put them on as I noticed my CA's are showing distress and plan to replace them all at once and go get an alignment. So I have gone down that rabbit whole......which is DEEP, and I am thinking of splurging for Lemforder through FCP Euro for their Lifetime Guarantee............Reading too much leaves me with decision anxiety 🤬

I have also picked up first order harmonics with this cold weather, so I plan to replace motor/trans/snub mounts as well, and before CA's.

Stance-wise I took off my old winter (non-studded) rock hard tires, and removed the plasti-dip (PITA), and the summer tires look much better at the factory 205/55/16's. Maybe it was the deception of the black wheels and tires. I did buy Nokian Hakkapeliitta 9's (studded) in 205/60/16 and they are mounted to winter wheels. Plan to mount those in the coming days.

Way more info, but in the short term, happy with stock springs and B6's in the rear.
 
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