Technical alternative front coil springs for panda 4x4.

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Technical alternative front coil springs for panda 4x4.

Bartpanda

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I would like to sum up in one place all I know about stock springs for panda 4x2/4x4, and possible alternatives for the brave enough to tinker their cars:D

raw numbers:

panda 750-770- 850-900-1000ccm / marbella 800-900ccm
part no:4402679,7731039
rod diameter [mm]:9,55-9,56
coil diameter [mm]:100
Length [mm]:350-355

panda van/selecta /{diesel} ?
part no:4026107
rod diameter [mm]:10
coil diameter [mm]:102
Length [mm]:371

panda 4x4
part no:5975433
rod diameter [mm]:10,55
coil diameter [mm]:100
Length [mm]:370

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Alternatives, plus my short comment/observation:{ with stock panda 4x4 front shock}

Audi 80 B3 1986-1991{rear}
rod diameter [mm]:12
coil diameter [mm]:100
Length [mm]:373

My opinion: probably useless, to stiff for 4x4, limits axle articulation ,poor ramp travel index, still popular on italian forum?
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Renault Twingo 1.2 1993 -2006{rear}
rod diameter [mm]: 9,50
coil diameter [mm]: 100
Length [mm]:397

My opinion: thinner rod but longer, probably bit softer than original 4x4 but with greater "under the sumpguard" clearance?. promising,{ have bought set few days ago, will test them soon}
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Skoda Favorit hatchback1988-95{rear} Felicia hatchback94-2001{rear}
115 350 300 6U6511115A
rod diameter [mm]: 10,5 rod diameter [mm]:11
coil diameter [mm]: 101 coil diameter [mm]:101
Length [mm]: 417-422 Length [mm]:417-422

My opinion:{ favorit 10,5mm spring}
Same rod but +two coils more than 4x4. Stiffer than stock 4x4, works reasonably good, especially with heavier front of the car{1.2 engine or winch or big bullbar or all mentioned:)} Bit to stiff IMHO, but perfectly driveable offroad.


11mm spring- I did not test it, probably bt stiffer than 10,5mm one


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favorit /felicia combi/estate
005 055 544 6U9511115A
rod diameter [mm]:11,25
coil diameter [mm]:104
Length [mm]:419

I did not test it, probably too stiff

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favorit /felicia combi/estate

"strenghtened" model
rod diameter [mm]:12mm
coil diameter [mm]:104
Length [mm]:422

Have tested "strenghtened " estate springs, no wheel travel, only tyre works as an amortisation{ with 1.2 engine}, totally useless IMHO.

Your thoughts comments, experiences guys??

Kolza is currently testing posibilities, so probably will add something to that.
 
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Great summary Bart!

I just want to add that if someone will use above vehicle model details as references pror to purchase please compare the actual sizes and dimentions as well as they do vary between manufacturers. If seller/shop can't provide you with such a data - go to next one.

Next important factor is number of coils as this have big impact, I will not put all info which i've gathered as more trials still to do and I don't want to start discussion yet on who got what.

For now, please watch this stuff, made by US company for Jeep, but give good understanding of wire diametre, number of coils, length.
[ame]https://vimeo.com/134117546[/ame]
 
Rover 25 only, 1/2 of the top coil removed due to much smaller size, 44mm lift was achived im my case.
IMG_34491.JPG
 
Henry before and after.
Skoda Felicia hatchback (not estate), complete rear spring.
Std flange.
Bare in mind the weight of bull bar an spare wheel 12" to the front.

henry.JPG
 
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Which spring would be the best bet for rising standard 4x4, no bars, engine swaps etc and to keep similar suspension softness.

I measured ground clearance on my standard , having 17cm (6.7in) to the lowest point on bash plate, while a friend, with felicia springs, has 26cm (10.2in), so 6 cm difference.
We both use same tyres, malatesta.
 
Which spring would be the best bet for rising standard 4x4, no bars, engine swaps etc and to keep similar suspension softness.

I measured ground clearance on my standard , having 17cm (6.7in) to the lowest point on bash plate, while a friend, with felicia springs, has 26cm (10.2in), so 6 cm difference.
We both use same tyres, malatesta.

Did you ment 23cm for your friend ground clearence?
(17+6=23)

Basicaly if you lift the mass of the engine/body the gravity point is changing dramaticaly therfore suspension MUST be stiffer to counter againts body roll.

Do you have more details of friends springs as there are hatchback, estate, estate hd and pick up. Top mounts and shock absorbers (saggy) condition can have impact on car height.

Base on 6cm lift on your friend car, if he use standard front shock absorber the suspension leg will be almost full extended making the car hard to drive in rough terrain as the suspension flex will be marginal.
 
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23 correct yes.
He used aftermarket new springs, unknown rod thickness and kg/mm value.
I understand the coil needs to be either thicher rod or lesser coil count, to counteract the roll, but it gives you stiffer ride.
So it's a hunt for best combo for road stability, (plushness :D) and terraing ground clearance.

Here, if I order aftermarket felicia rear coils, all years, engines use the same type.
I'm pretty sure, he used standard HB.

He never drove his car at regular height, and said, that it is unstable at cornering and rear tends to roll outward the curve, especially when you exaggarate it with steering wheel.
Offroading was tad clanky and rough, but no more than mine, well maybe a little up front.

When I first drove my standard 4x4, had the same feeling of cornering instability.
This is just sth, you get accustomed to, as I can ride it pretty normal now.

That is his car, rised front and rear.
Front shocks with new coils.
His data is from Italian forums. Rear are 2WD panda shocks and riser shims under and over leafs.

Did bartpanda test twingo's coils and how are your feelings on the rover's.
I believe twingo units are easier to get here.
with 44mm, I might get away with not rising the rear.
 

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We've just done few hundred miles of mixture road, track and rocky tracks.

For me the R25 coil springs are doing really well the body roll isn't any worse for sure and I would say the capability of fast cornering is even better - but I've got non standard shocks and modified hub carrier bottom ball joint.
45mm in my opinion is the maximum lift you can go without further modifications (not including, camber adjustment, front wheel spacers)

I don't know how good your polish is but use this website to get more details about different brands. ( length, coil number, rod diameter)
http://www.iparts.pl/auto-czesci/sp...10-1998-03,1-3-54km,106-1319-4734-100113.html



Here is simple drawing and calculation I've done while doing my lift.
It clearly shows how the roll centre position changed.
 

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Only Polish words I understand are Tadeusz Blazusiak
smile.gif

I had two days of translation preparation to purchase the fuel sender unit from your link.

Have had aftermarket felicia springs on preorder, and today they are coming in. I think they are 10.93 wire. Will tell after received.

Your link doesnt work for me..it did on the phone, but not on PC.
Can you divide it in 2 parts, so it doesn't shorten and hyperlink.

I don't intend to swap shocks or do other mods, as I'd like to keep it as stock as possible, for MOT tests. They are extreme complicators here.

I know of camber adjustment being necessary, but wheel spacers are hopefully not a must, at least with stock shocks/felicia springs.

I might consider shortening felicia springs, to reduce lift.
Can roughly see 2 coil diffence between stock and felicia in picture I posted.
 
Got springs today. They are supposed to be felicia. 10.6 wire, 420 length. Polish origin.
Those rover seem more attractive, as they have less coils, so they should allow more travel before full compression.

If my shocks are beat up, which are cost effective substitute? I can get only monroe here.
 

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All aside, this is my shock state.


No wonder it threw me on the other lane once, when I hit a hole at 100kmh.
Kolza, which shock did you use, and was there a lot of modding needed.

Bigger spring generally requires softer compression and more rebound, to work similarly.
 
All aside, this is my shock state.


No wonder it threw me on the other lane once, when I hit a hole at 100kmh.
Kolza, which shock did you use, and was there a lot of modding needed.

Bigger spring generally requires softer compression and more rebound, to work similarly.



This one is definitely no good!!
Were they used with skoda spring already or just standard panda 4x4 spring?


My shocks were build with 25mm higher spring saddle and 40mm longer tube. Something like this
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMMORTIZZATORI-ANT-PANDA-4x4-RIALZATI-4-CM-/311594795536?hash=item488c7f4210


I had a set of skoda springs ( 12.5mm rod) fitted for few days, they were that hard that shocks were constantly in fully extended position, so on every bump the shock rod was hitting in the top of the tube where the bushing/ seals are. Shock would not last to long probably ending up exactly as yours.
 
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All was original, probably from '98. Bump stop+ cover also disintegrated.

Skoda springs I got are exactly the same wire as stock..10.6-10.8., so it might work with standard replacement monroe.
 

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Yes, that is fine, I don't mind comfort in utility car.
I'll check in with few more pics after finished.
 
First coilover partially finished.
What concernes me is bending of coil. It is seated as it should be up and down.

Also, top bearing is hard to rotate by hand, I expected flawless smooth motion. All cleaned and regreased.

Can't compare with other side, as I can do only one side at a time, because of space problems.
 

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Gained 4.5cm with felicia 10.7 wire. Perfectly fine. Won't touch rear for now.
I think still a bit too much camber even at max out position of top bolt- 4mm, but it might settle.

Second shock was still functional, and it has more rebound and less compression, than monroe shock.
 

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hello, I rode the springs of the rover 25 in my panda, and now it was higher on one side about 1cm, is it because it still has not aligned the direction?
 
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