Hi,

I've decided to buy the H&R springs but was wondering if my OE dampers will be okay?

They've done 78.5k.

Any opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks

That's really subjective to how the car has been driven, if its been looking after then the shocks wont get tired until around 100K, still you can tell by pushing down on one side of the car and see how the shocks react- but this isn't a brilliant analysis.

If its been looking after I think you will be okay for a good 20-30K miles.

Not sure how it was driven by the previous owner, but the car was in very good condition when I bought it a year ago.

The concern I do have is the noise from the back of the car when going over speed bumps. It makes a clunk & rubbing noise sound when coming down off the speed bumps. I'm wondering whether the back ones may need replacing.

Will the springs get damaged if the dampers are going?

Cheers

The problem with using old shocks with lowering springs is the wear that has already occured inside the damper. Basically the wear will all be in one area inside the shock, and dirt and other debris will be built up inside the shock outside the normal movement range. When you fit lowering springs, you move this operating area to a different area inside the damper and this can cause excessive wear inside as the seals inside the shock absorber are now moving over corrosion and debris that has built up over time.

My Audi with 175K miles on the clock is still on its original shocks and springs, although saying that one of the rear springs has snapped and both are being replaced this coming weekend. However the shocks will be staying as they are still performing well.

So you think with the height drop they may operate slightly better!?

The noises/bumps could be the ARB's typically over bumpy areas or going over speed bumps.

Hopefully it is just the ARB's!

You'd get a better ride quality if you changed the springs and shocks but how low your current dampers would last with lowering springs will be down to the condition of them.

Damian @ DPM Performance

Thanks for your comments guys.

Well the springs are finally on the car! The H&R springs are FANTASTIC value for money!!

Okay, it's not the lowest of drops, but 30mm has certainly taken the horrible 4x4 look away.

The handling is miles better. Feels stiffer retaining a comfortable ride. Cornering is great fun!

I will get some pictures on here.

Thanks all for your comments.

N.B The springs are still settling, so I'll get some better pictures soon.

Edited 22 March, 201214 yr by Mounty

Here's another picture of my Fabia lowered 30mm on H&R springs