DIY LCR Suspension

[CUPRACAR]

I am about to embark on a major suspension makeover on the LCR.
After 49,000 miles the original component’s are starting to get a little tired, things are getting a somewhat crashy to say the least. After reading some of the excellent threads on the subject I have decided to go down the following route.
After some careful thought my shopping list is as follows.

Acquired so far.

KW 40 matched springs and shocks
Front disc with DS2500 pads
Rear vented Zimmerman disc with Padgid pads

On the list

Front lower control arm bushes (Audi TT)
Top mount bushes (LCR)
Front R32 23mm ARB
Rear Neuspeed 28mm ARB
OEM Track rod ends
OEM Ball joints
+ all the nuts bolts and washers required to fit all the above
Followed by a full alignment check.

The problem I have is getting all the correct parts numbers and torque settings.
Would it be prudent to purchase a copy of ELSAWIN of e-bay or is there an alternative way of acquiring the information I need?
Does the ELSAWIN guide contain part numbers?

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[CUPRACAR]

After a little more research it appears that buying ELSAWIN of e-bay is definitely not a good idea.
So do I buy the Audi A3 Haynes manual for the front end and the Golf Mk IV for the back.

Is this the logical way forward?

 

[alx_chung]

After a little more research it appears that buying ELSAWIN of e-bay is definitely not a good idea.
So do I buy the Audi A3 Haynes manual for the front end and the Golf Mk IV for the back.

Is this the logical way forward?

PM David at Sere Motors if you are stuck for OEM stuff. I am sure he can help you out.
Or you can try www.vagcat.com
Alex

 

[Willie]

Looks like you've been doing your home work on this one.
Why have you discounted the ELSAWIN package in conjunction with www.vagcat.com.
As for the the haynes manual, you will get all the info you need (if your doing it yourself) from this forum. In my readers rides section I have a how to on quite a few of the jobs you are planning on doing
ELSAWIN has proved invaluable with the mods I have done to my car with all torques and tools listed.

As your doing almost everything I thought I would suggest a few that you might have missed off or just discounted.

As your changing the front wish bone bushes I would change the rears and perhaps the sub frame bushes too.
If you don't have it already an S3 strutt brace with your other mentioned mods feels very very good.

As your car has only done 43,000 miles and with the above mods I would stick with the standard suspension and see how this feels before swapping the whole lot.
This might allow you to save up for a different suspension set up or a second hand set of coilovers.

Who will be fitting this for you or will you do it yourself

 

[CUPRACAR]

Thanks for the reply Willie.
Yes I have researched this project for some time and found your threads (and others) invaluable, but I feel I need the extra security of having a technical manual to hand.
The reason I discounted the ELSAWIN package is after reading some threads on other sites it appears any Elsawin package purchased on e bays is an illegal copy, and many that have got copy’s found them to be out of date or unusable.
I am registered on the vagcat site but although they list parts for the Leon I can’t see parts for the LCR.
Front sub frame bushes have been changed 18 months ago along with the rear beam and bushing.
The S3 strut brace is something I might consider if I feel it necessary after fitting this set up.
I have debated the coilover v balanced spring and shocks for some time and I feel coilovers are only necessary for serious track work, or if you want to go very low.
Going to low will aversely affect the handling so in my case I can’t justify the extra cost.
I will be doing all the work myself and I have the luxury of a large heated factory to work in but only for 3 days.
I would appreciate any input you offer and hope you don’t mind me asking you for advice along the way.

Cheers
Keith

 

[Willie]

Hay Keith, help is no bother
3 days will be okay barring any big problems
Do you have a good array of tools to include gas burner, hydraulic press, sockets, spanners, punches, drill and bits, penetrant fluid (ie WD40 Plus gas) axle stands, trolley jacks/fork lift

 

[CUPRACAR]

Yep got all that only thing I haven’t got is spring compressors so I will probably make some.

 

[Lodgey180]

obviouslly you will need a 4 wheel alignment after doing all this?

i read somewhere that do track spec top suspension bushes.. could be woth looking into

 

[CUPRACAR]

obviouslly you will need a 4 wheel alignment after doing all this?

i read somewhere that do track spec top suspension bushes.. could be woth looking into

Yep as mentioned in my first post full alignment check.

'who' do track speck top bushes?

 

[Willie]

Yep got all that only thing I haven’t got is spring compressors so I will probably make some.

I'm sure I don't need to tell you but be very careful with making these and there use

Yep as mentioned in my first post full alignment check.

'who' do track speck top bushes?

INA are supplying 034 Motorsport ones

 

[CUPRACAR]

Trying to get every thing together for this project is a nightmare, my local VAG supplier is useless they won't do anything without a part number.

Nearly there just need the part numbers for the lower ball joints and the fittings if you can help.

Thinking of using Superpro polly bushing on the LCAs as I’ve heard some good things about them.

Got some second hand LCAs off a member, what a tw*t of a job to get the old bushing out, managed the rear ones on the fly press but had to get the oxy set on the front ones.

Had them shot blasted and powdered look mint now. Thinking the Superpro bushes will be a lot easier to fit than the TT ones.

Hoping to get it all together for bank holiday weekend, should keep me busy.

 

[CUPRACAR]

Hi Willie

Another question for you.
Are the standard drop links ok with the R32 front ARB?

Thanks

Keith

 

[Willie]

OEM drop links are fine with the R32 23mm ARB.
Get onto David at Seremotors (forum sponsor) they are the best prices by far for Seat bits and very very helpful with it

 

[CUPRACAR]

Cheers will try him

 

[CUPRACAR]

I’m here again Willie but hey ho you’re the man.

Do I need to drop the sub frame to fit the R32 ARB or can it be done in situ?

 

[Willie]

Drop, its entangled around it so needs to be dropped

 

[CUPRACAR]

Cheers mate

 

[Willie]

You'll need to drop the sub frame a bit to get the strutts out of the hub carriers as the drive shaft fouls on the sub frame stopping this at the drivers side

 

[CUPRACAR]

If the front suspension of the LCR is taken from the A3, which variant is it from, as all the A3’s I’ve seen have a pressed steel LCA and not the forged one as fitted tothe LCR
Or is it taken from the S3?.

 

[Willie]

The front end of the LCR is the same as the S3/TT/Octy VRS