VestanPance Posted April 30 Report Share Posted April 30 Hi All, I've just discovered that the front shock absorbers on my GTi have given up the ghost (a little annoying after only 56k miles, but hey ho!). Original OEM dampers appear to be no longer available, as do Bilstein B6. I don't want to go down the coilover route and would like to keep the car as original as possible. Can anyone suggest a suitable alternative? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VestanPance Posted May 1 Author Report Share Posted May 1 Anyone? Having looked about, it seems these things are difficult to keep on the road should you want to keep the car standard. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mk2 Posted May 1 Report Share Posted May 1 There are loads of OEM equivalent alternatives. Polo? Seat? Skoda? Don't forget that the big brands simply manufacture for the likes of VAG. It doesn't need a VW stamp on it. In fact even some Nissans and Fords use the exact same part. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VestanPance Posted May 2 Author Report Share Posted May 2 Thanks for the reply. It appears that there's no OE spec aftermarket damper specifically for a Gti, though. There's plenty for the other models, but I was under the belief that the Gti uses a specific damping rate that was different to the other models. Am I wrong with this? Thanks again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mk2 Posted May 2 Report Share Posted May 2 You're probably right actually. But I think the rate will be very close, mainly because the weight over the front wheels is near enough identical to most other 4cyl petrol models. Diesels are much heavier and need stiffer shocks (the coils are thicker too, I found out to my cost of a wasted weekend). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VestanPance Posted May 2 Author Report Share Posted May 2 Having trawled through the many listings on Autodoc, it appears TRW do a Gti specific front shock absorber. Model number JGM185T, just in case this helps anyone in the future. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tripod Posted May 2 Report Share Posted May 2 TRWs distributor are pretty helpful if you contact them, it's ZF something they have an online contact form. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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