nick n

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Should the tender springs pictured on these H&amp;R coilovers become slightly unloaded while jacking up the car?

I'm going to assume that if the tender springs are still compressed while the suspension is unloaded, they're not doing their job by keeping the main spring(s) seated. Does anyone have ballpark spec as to what length the tenders should rest at while the shock body's decompressed and mounted on the car?

DustysA4

Are you having a problem with them?

nick n

..because the coils (tender springs) are still touching each other. I'm not having any problems with this combo, I'm just a little concerned. I wouldn't want to unseat the rear main springs on a hard left on the autox. Maybe I should use the "If it ain't broke then don't fix it" motto.

FWIW, they're on my commuter car: '99 MKIII GTi-6. The rates are 450F/385R which isn't too shabby, considering the weight of the car. Part # 50865-1.

cuatrokoop

My front tenders are nearly always compressed (can barely see them due to placement). All that matters with a tender is that they keep the main spring on both of its seats. Whether they do so fully compressed or partially compressed, it shouldn't matter.

BTW, what is the part number on your tenders? And are those 2.5" diam springs? I'm looking to replace the front tenders and mains, as well as the rears. Having trouble finding tenders...

Also, I assume you have sway bars front and rear to be running a stiffer front spring than rear. GTI VR6's are nose heavy cars, and to get nose heavy cars to be neutral takes a stiffer rear spring than front (250lbf/in front, 300lbf/in rear for my 3100lb CQ).

MikTip

Eibach has them. You have to phone then and ask for the tender springs. ;O)<ul><li><a href="http://www.eibach.com">http://www.eibach.com</a</li></ul>

cuatrokoop

Yeah...I figured as much. I was just trying to get an idea of what was out there before spending hours on the phone. Call me lazy!

dingster

they have 2.5"ID tender and helpers in stock. Just have to make sure your H&amp;R tenders are 2.5" ID.

cuatrokoop

Thanks, I'll give them a shout...

BTW, the car has a Vortrag suspension on it, using Hypercoil springs. My car does not have the "collar" that goes between the tender and main, so I'll be making those sometime. Will hopefully eliminate some of the noises the car has had for nearly 4 years.

nick n

Yeah..keeping the main springs on both seats is my concern (especially for when I go off roading.. j/k). I'll see what happens after some adjustments, if necessary.

Pics of the tenders and their actual spec can pop up this weekend since I have to do the oil, plugs, exaust adj; etc - if you need them.

I'm going to start with an upper rear strut tie and work my way down to a rear sway if necessary. Apparently, the rear suspension is installed in a true "coil-over" fashion, unlike the A4G/J/TT platform cars. Sort of weird, but a plus, perhaps. I'll probably opt for a small diameter front sway and/or an upper front strut tie as I'd prefer to keep the understeer at a minimum.

cuatrokoop

Switch your front springs to the rear, and rears to the front, and you'll cure that Understeer problem ;-)

I'm going to get in touch with GC or Truechoice and see if I can get a list of the springs somehow. I like to look at all my options at my leisure

If you think to get the diam/part nubmers off a spring or two cool. If not, thats cool too. Not in any big rush, gotta get an engine built first (lack of cash, that K26 on the shelf is just taunting me).