Front Suspension Replacement

[Slowlycatchamonkey]

Hi,

I've recently replaced my front suspension struts on my Leon MK3 FR (150) TDI.

Since then the ride is really uncomfortable. It jerks forward/backward randomly and shakes (not vibrating) when driving, and you can feel every bump in the road. You can feel it through the seat. It's not noisy, but when I go over bumps it feels too hard. I've had a mechanic have a look at it and he said he can't see anything wrong. He thought it was a buckled wheel, which I did have but that hasn't solved the problem. The struts I fitted were Ridex from AutoDoc. Has anyone used any parts from them and thought they were rubbish, because I think the suspension is not fit for purpose. Does anyone know what is the original brand of suspension VAG use? I put Sachs struts on the back and they were fine.
Does anyone know why there is such a difference in price/so many alternative brands for aftermarket parts. I wish I had bought the parts from the dealership now.

I've owned the car for 5 years and it used to drive really smooth and handle well. But now it is just awful.

 

[SuperV8]

Hi,

I've recently replaced my front suspension struts on my Leon MK3 FR (150) TDI.

Since then the ride is really uncomfortable. It jerks forward/backward randomly and shakes (not vibrating) when driving, and you can feel every bump in the road. You can feel it through the seat. It's not noisy, but when I go over bumps it feels too hard. I've had a mechanic have a look at it and he said he can't see anything wrong. He thought it was a buckled wheel, which I did have but that hasn't solved the problem. The struts I fitted were Ridex from AutoDoc. Has anyone used any parts from them and thought they were rubbish, because I think the suspension is not fit for purpose. Does anyone know what is the original brand of suspension VAG use? I put Sachs struts on the back and they were fine.
Does anyone know why there is such a difference in price/so many alternative brands for aftermarket parts. I wish I had bought the parts from the dealership now.

I've owned the car for 5 years and it used to drive really smooth and handle well. But now it is just awful.

Have not used Ridex dampers - but I know they are a 'budget' brand.
some things i'm afraid you get what you pay for - dampers for me are one (along with brakes & tyres) - technically very complicated.
Seat have something like 30x variations in part numbers depending on the exact spec of the car.
Sachs do make the Seat OE dampers - but Sachs aftermarket are NOT the same as the Sachs Original Equipment.
I think they have 2x versions like sport & normal for their aftermarket dampers vs 30x for genuine OE!

The OE dampers aren't actually that expensive (not including the DCC dampers!)
I'm sure you can return the Ridex dampers - but I think you'll only get the part cost refunded - not the labor!

 

[Slowlycatchamonkey]

Have not used Ridex dampers - but I know they are a 'budget' brand.
some things i'm afraid you get what you pay for - dampers for me are one (along with brakes & tyres) - technically very complicated.
Seat have something like 30x variations in part numbers depending on the exact spec of the car.
Sachs do make the Seat OE dampers - but Sachs aftermarket are NOT the same as the Sachs Original Equipment.
I think they have 2x versions like sport & normal for their aftermarket dampers vs 30x for genuine OE!

The OE dampers aren't actually that expensive (not including the DCC dampers!)
I'm sure you can return the Ridex dampers - but I think you'll only get the part cost refunded - not the labor!

Thanks for the reply. I thought the brake disks were bad, having 4 sizes to choose from.

 

[SuperV8]

Just to note:
Any bush that's horizontal needs to be torqued up when the vehicle's at normal ride height - If torqued up when the wishbone is fully extended in droop will wind the bush up. Not sure this will contribute much to your hard ride?