Need different top spring plate?

ubercrap · Post by **ubercrap** » Wed Jan 25, 2006 11:03 pm

The flat top spring plate with the spacer above it takes up too much thread on the Audi/Quantum strut cartridge. Heck, even with the strut mount resting directly on the spring plate without the spacer, and using the Golf top retaining plate (drops all the way in), there still isn't enough thread. What is needed is a domed style spring plate similar to the one that came on the Golf strut I just disassembled. Unfortunately, the Golf spring gets dramatically smaller at the top, even though the spring at the bottom is very similar in diameter to the Type 4 spring. From Wally's pictures of the E30 BMW spring, it looks like it is the same diameter all the way up, like the Type 4 spring. So, I wonder what the BMW top spring plate looks like? This will complicate the calculations for lowering....

raygreenwood · Post by **raygreenwood** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 11:33 am

Nope. Take a look at the actual bearing cartridge. You know...the anodized gold loking dome that goes into the rubber donut from the spring side? Notice how it is a cone?....and that the bearing is some distance up inside? Take the bottom open part of the cone...and carefully on a sander or gringer...grind it down. I think from memory you can take 1/4"-3/8" off. Then a thin shim underneath between it and the top plate and you should be good. Ray

ubercrap · Post by **ubercrap** » Thu Jan 26, 2006 1:06 pm

Ah, OK, I understand. I had thought of that, but I wasn't sure if it was a good idea to trim that piece. Should be easy.

vwfye · Post by **vwfye** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 11:04 pm

okay..... after reading and rereading ray's info several times i really need a visual as to what you did! please, post pictures!!!!!

ubercrap · Post by **ubercrap** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 11:55 am

Ah, I would, but I'm about 1000 miles from all my stuff right now...

raygreenwood · Post by **raygreenwood** » Wed Jun 21, 2006 1:17 pm

Just for a note...people ask why I don't post pictures. Simply....I don't have time. My work day starts at 6:30 am and runs to 7:30-8:00 pm....mon-fri and usually 7:00- 3:00 on Saturday...if all goes well.
I do take lots of pictures. Jeeeez...I have 4 cameras...one digital three film and my own darkroom. Problem is getting time for the little stuff, not scheduling the big stuff.

Also.....I write very very descriptive paragraphs.....and type very fast.... so these postings are actually little time loss. But....I write descriptively.....because if you will take the time to dissassemble some sub-assemblies of these cars......my descriptions work very well (usually).

The entire front suspension of these vehicles.....as I keep mentioning.....is deceptively simple. The front end...is the one sub-assembly that you MUST take apart and see how things work. This is crucial to understanding what will need to be done. No pictures or books will totally help you solve the problems you need to solve. Ray