57 My stock shocks are shot? What should I use to replace them with?
Description
This article is from the VW Performance FAQ, by with numerous contributions by Jan Vandenbrande others.
57 My stock shocks are shot? What should I use to replace them with?
A:VW shocks don't last very long (30-50k miles). The OEM
shocks are from Sachs or Boge (note: they merged in 1994)
and similar to the Boge ProGas shocks. Stiffer shocks
reduce roll, improve handling but also make the ride
harsher. Most competition & longer lasting shocks are
called "gas shocks" because they contain a gas filled
chamber that keeps the shock oil under pressure. This
pressurization prevents cavitation and foaming which
increase wear and reduces the shock's effectiveness.
A compromise to using stuff shocks is to use adjustable
shocks. Most popular competition oriented shock brands
are: Koni & Bilstein (debatable which is better), then
Tokico.
From M.SirotA: For non-competition, I'd rank them
Bilstein, Sachs, Boge, Koni, KYB (initial quality
problems), Tokico (harsh).
A note from ND's BBS: We have had many problems with
Tokico and do not sell them anymore except for some of
the jap cars. They use to have the worst warranty claim
problems. They had a plating problem on the shafts and
would turn down warranties saying customers were using
vise grips on the shafts. Now I have seen what vice grip
marks look like as we do get idiots who do that but these
were a manufacturer defect. So we decided not to sell
them anymore. Koni, Bilstein, Sachs and Boge have very
good warranty procedures and we will continue to offer
them to our customers.
[Note: Tokico Illuminas have reliability problems and a
particularly painful failure mode, but the non-
adjustables are probably fine.]
From M.SirotA: Koni makes three types of shocks: Red,
Sport Yellow, and Sport/SS. The Reds are the softest,
Yellow are next, and Sport/SS is the stiffest. The "SS"
stands for "Showroom Stock", as in the racing category.
The Sport/SS shocks are usually also yellow. Bilstein
makes at least two: The HD (Heavy Duty), the Sport and
the Race. The Sport is the stiffer one. To complicate
matters further, not all versions are available for all
applications, at least not off the shelf. And old shocks
can be revalved, or new custom ones can be made.
As with engine modifications that can be measured on a
dyno, suspension is very subjective as what may give you
the best lap time at the race track may make you VW
slower on a bumpy mountain road. That is why each persons
driving habits and location of most of their driving is
so important to a proper selection. Many VW owners
autocross in addition to regular street use and they may
sacrafice comfort to have a better handling car on the
track.
From the AutoTech Catalog:
Shock valving comparison chart
OE Soft Race Stiff
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[<Sach Super/Bilst HD >]
[< Tokico HP >]
[< Tokico Illumina Adj >]
[< Bilstein Sport >]
[Bilstein Ralley/Race]
[< Bilstein Race >]
See also the archives on Suspension_Mods
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