Bilstein Sport front shocks install issue, spring perch not fitting

[ENDEE666]

I have had Bilstein HD's on my car a long time and decided to replace them with the Bilstein Sport models. Got everything out to discover the Sport is much smaller in diameter. They come with a collar thing, but even with that the stock spring perch slides right over it. Should they have come with their own correct perches? Or are the Sport ones not compatible, only the Heavy Duty ones? The car is a 2001, but a late one. I think it was actually made mid 2001.. Would that then mean I need the 02+ ones maybe? Are they then different diameter?

Either way, how & what do I need to make this work? Or do I need to get HD's again?

Thx..

[G Men 08]

good question, I wonder if they sent you the correct parts.. Do you have the seat that slides over the strut? (my koni sports came with that)

[ENDEE666]

Well they don't come with new perches, neither did the HD ones. So my perch is an OEM Audi one that slid over the HD just fine. The new Sport ones are thinner, but come with a slide on collar thing to increase diameter for the perch. But even with that it's still way too small. Perch slides right past it.. Only thing I think of is these may work for S4 or a different year or motor A6, or the collar is the wrong one and supposed to be bigger. Or maybe a specific perch. I really don't know... And its Sunday, so I can't even call Bilstein or anyone..

According to Bilstein's site, for 02+ A6 there is only the HD as an option, not the Sport.

[ENDEE666]

Anyone shed some light? Bump

[A62TURBO]

Where did you get them? I would say they gave you the wrong part.

[ENDEE666]

Local wholesale distributor. But even Bilstein's site says these are correct. Unless I look at 02+ A6 on their site, then it says only the HD is an option. And there is mention of 36mm and 46mm struts. I have a feeling I can only use 46mm, but I haven't measured them yet. My car is an 01, but a late one. It was built in summer of 2001. So I suspect it may have 2002 Suspension. I tried reaching Bilstein today, but I had to leave a message..

[G Men 08]

Frustrating! Hope you get her figured out man! Good luck.

[ENDEE666]

Just finally got through to Bilstein themselves. Even Bilstein's website says these smaller ones are correct, but the rep said the issue is that they are for a FWD A6 not a Quattro. That's my issue. So I can only get HD's not Sport's. Now I gotta try to exchange these..

The odd thing is, why do they make a Sport model shock for FWD A6's that only came as a 2.8 or 3.0, yet not the Quattro models and the 2.7T??? I predict there is a bigger "Sport" market with 2.7T owners than FWD cars.... And with so few FWD A6's even made/sold?? Pretty dumb if you ask me..

[green a6]

mine is a quartto
And endee666 where in LI you from

[ENDEE666]

mine is a quartto
And endee666 where in LI you from

Quattro's are by far the majority. My point is the FWD cars only came in 2.8 or 3.0, not vice versa. And the 2.8 & 3.0, especially in FWD trim, is in no way the "performance" variation of the A6 when you have mostly Quattro cars (performance) and so many 2.7T (performance) and even 4.2 V8 (performance) cars out there, not to mention any car with a 6MT (also performance) would only be Quattro.. So why give the models with the least performance and fewest sold #s the "Sport" shock and not the majority and the modified scene that would actually want them??

green a6 - I am from Nassau. PM me instead of going off topic if you want.