Busted spring - part now discontinued?

[RichWP]

Hi all,

I noticed that my mk1 Leon Cupra (180bhp) was making a twanging noise when turning, and figured that one of the springs had snapped.

The garage has confirmed that's the case, but they can't get a replacement - apparently the part (1jo411105cs) was discontinued several months ago, and no one has any in stock.

Can anyone suggest where I might be able to get one from quickly? They can fit aftermarket springs, but that involves replacing all of them, and I was hoping to keep the cost down and just replace the busted one.

TIA,
Rich.

 

[iammooks]

I'm instantly thinking a breaker will have one. I was looking earlier today and there are a fair few mk1s on eBay that are being broken up, and if it's just to get you back on the road, it's not going to break the bank either.


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[RichWP]

Thanks for the suggestion. I know the garage tried the local breakers, but no luck. I've had a look on eBay, and I can see mk1s being broken, but I'm a bit dubious about going the eBay route because it'll be difficult to know the condition of the part I'm buying (no cars being broken near me), and I could do with getting the spring quickly while the car is still at the garage, which might not happen if someone has to remove it from a donor vehicle. Also, most of the ones being broken are Cupra R's, which apparently are lower than my 180bhp.

 

[iammooks]

Thanks for the suggestion. I know the garage tried the local breakers, but no luck. I've had a look on eBay, and I can see mk1s being broken, but I'm a bit dubious about going the eBay route because it'll be difficult to know the condition of the part I'm buying (no cars being broken near me), and I could do with getting the spring quickly while the car is still at the garage, which might not happen if someone has to remove it from a donor vehicle. Also, most of the ones being broken are Cupra R's, which apparently are lower than my 180bhp.

The only other thing I can suggest is maybe including the other VAG platforms in your search - the mk4 Golf, for example, has the same chassis and will use the same parts, but you're right about the Cupra R - which has some small but important differences. If you look up Golfs, Fabias, A3s etc. with the AUQ engine code (I think that's the one for the non-R Cupra), then that could put you on the right track.

With any luck, there will be others to offer advice - I have the TDI FR, so my springs are likely really different, given my block is heavier - but it's the kind of thing more and more people are having happen as parts get phased out, so they should have an idea of what you can do.

 

[martin j.]

Have you tried a local motor factors? or do you have a contact in the trade who could try TPS?

 

[Rich.T]

If you buy aftermarket, theres no need to replace any of the others.
Just fit the one you need.

Rich

 

[RichWP]

Thanks for all the replies. The point about mk4 Golfs, A3s etc is a good one. I know the garage has already tried TPS, but no luck.

In terms of aftermarket, the garage have given me 2 options;- Find a original part, or fit the whole aftermarket kit - they didn't seem keen on just replacing a single spring. I guess they're concerned about unbalancing the car.

I think I'm going to accept that the best option is the aftermarket replacement. I was hoping that someone might know who'd been stockpiling all the remaining springs, but it doesn't seem like that's the case.

On the plus side, I've had the car for 16 years now, and it's never let me down. Maybe it's time I treated it

Thanks,
Rich.

 

[Alexis27]

Loads on eBay if you search coil spring AUQ. Might have to do both sides

 

[Rich.T]

Loads on eBay if you search coil spring AUQ. Might have to do both sides

Why would you have to change both sides?

Its an old urban myth started by garages trying to get a few extra £ out of the average unknowing punter.

 

[Alexis27]

Because most on ebay come in pairs

 

[RichWP]

Searching for "coil spring AUQ" (as suggested) on eBay is looking promising. Can I be sure any spring with an AUQ engine code will fit my Cupra though, even if it's advertised as "Front Coil Spring for Audi TT T Quattro AJQ/ARY/AUQ 1.8 (2/00-6/06)" for example?

 

[Alexis27]

Yes, exactly the same for Audi TT, Mk1 Skoda Octavia VRS and Golf IV GTI with AUQ engines

 

[RichWP]

Thanks for confirming. The garage's supplier can only search for a part using a registration, so they've managed to find a Skoda with an AUQ engine, and using that have managed to locate a spring. No idea why it would be unavailable for the Leon but not the Skoda, maybe it's just that there's still old inventory available for the Skoda. Part should be at the garage for fitting today, so I'll let you know how it goes. Fingers crossed!

 

[RichWP]

The garage has confirmed that the spring fitted correctly. Thanks for all the help everyone, saved me some cash and ensured that my Cupra is MOTed for another year.

Now if you could just tell me a way of re-gluing the fabric on the door panels where it's come unstuck over the years, that would be great

 

[Rich.T]

Now if you could just tell me a way of re-gluing the fabric on the door panels where it's come unstuck over the years, that would be great

Im not sure there is an answer to the door panel conundrum.
My passenger front has started to go a little (about the size of a 50 p piece).
I'll leave it for now and see if it gets any worse.
Ebay again i guess or thai wronghorse on here maybe able to help.

 

[smutts]

Well done.
I lose the will to live when trying to cross reference VAG springs.
The Duluxe Dog wouldn't keep up with all the code colours that VAG tally their springs with.
Hang on, dogs are colour blind.