Hi all

 

My front N/S damper is shot and knocking in a big way so I have been looking around at options for my 2003 fabia vrs.

 

I can get oem for £90 + vat (2x fronts)

 

KYB (supposedly rubbish for other cars) £70 + vat (2x fronts)

 

Bilstein B4 all four for £125

 

So after a bit of digging apparently the b4 isn't rated for the VRS, is this due to the 15mm lower shortening the life of the dampers or is it for another reason? 

 

I have read loads of people using them with 25mm lowering springs and they say it is brilliant but has anyone fitted them with standard springs? I can't lower it due to the cost of insurance.

 

Thanks for any input.

Edited 19 July, 20178 yr by retro

The B4's are just fine for the VRS, ignore the internet muppetry.

If in doubt look on Bilstiens website & email their tech dept...

I run them on the Ibiza with a st of Eibach lowering springs, brilliant setup. 

Hi,

If you do need any help with insurance at all then please feel free to drop me a line.

Regards,

Dan.

Thanks everyone, B4's it is then

I bought them, just need some time to fit them. I will post up a verdict on them after.

Right then, I fitted the N/S front damper and the one I removed was completely shot but I think the top mount bearing is broken too.

 

It is like it splits in two and I can pull the two parts away from each other easily. I can't pull it apart but they separate a bit easily. I then fitted it all back up and the knocking noise is still there so I guess the top mount is broken.

 

Where can I get good quality top mounts and bearings? I want to replace both top mounts now and would rather do it all the same time rather than taking both struts out twice.

19 minutes ago, retro said:

Right then, I fitted the N/S front damper and the one I removed was completely shot but I think the top mount bearing is broken too.

 

It is like it splits in two and I can pull the two parts away from each other easily. I can't pull it apart but they separate a bit easily. I then fitted it all back up and the knocking noise is still there so I guess the top mount is broken.

 

Where can I get good quality top mounts and bearings? I want to replace both top mounts now and would rather do it all the same time rather than taking both struts out twice.

 

I just bought Febi Bilstein parts from ebay.

4 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

 

I just bought Febi Bilstein parts from ebay.

 

http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/391114411312?rmvSB=true&ul_ref=http%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F1%2F710-53481-19255-0%2F1%3Ftype%3D4%26campid%3D5336836713%26toolid%3D10001%26afsrc%3D1%26customid%3D38947X1001323X84476aff71305b65bd68aa17f32d9cc3%26mpre%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.co.uk%2Fitm%2F391114411312%3F_trksid%3Dp2060353.m2749.l2649%26ssPageName%3DSTRK%253AMEBIDX%253AIT%26srcrot%3D710-53481-19255-0%26rvr_id%3D1272114604608&_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&_mwBanner=1&ul_noapp=true

 

Are these them? Is that just the top mount or the bearing too?

It's both, plus new bolts for the balljoint.

4 minutes ago, sepulchrave said:

It's both, plus new bolts for the balljoint.

Brilliant, thanks

Right then, so far I have fitted the front struts and new top mounts. Already feel the ride has stiffened up and there is less of a dive in cornering and braking. Still comfortable too (obviously as still standard springs). They were easy enough to fit apart from not having a 36mm socket for the driveshafts nut which made it a bit interesting. All in all I am very happy and would buy them again. Just need to fit the backs... 2 arb droplinks, 2 bottom ball joints and all new brake hose (all discovered in need of replacement when fitting the front struts).

Dude, the rears are SO easy, you could've had them done in the time it took you to put your tools away after finishing the fronts and typing that message.