Shock/strut interchange
 

89 vert

Looking at getting a used set of struts from an s4 gxl I believe and I was wondering if the the shocks would fit ? I know I have to change the mount obviously since I believe it has AAS. ( Don't know if aftermarket or still factory )

I just need them for a season or two since my drivers front shock is blown. I'm worried that the weight of the vert might make them sag, maybe I can switch the springs from the vert to these shocks.

Thanks guys

Even if your new shock has AAS on it you can still mount it in and on the car.Just leave it disconnected.
You'll be fine swapping the parts..it won't sag.

Perfect. I thought I was out of luck. Thanks Styx.

Out of curiosity did they change anything shock/strut wise from S4 to S5 ?

Nope.
all that actuator does is move a valve inside the shock..
Mounting wise is is identical.

I used to just take that crap off anyways,then just use the regular rubber shock covers in the engine bay,...it looked neater..

I have yet to change "another " set of springs..heh,heh...but I want to..?..!!
My buddy borrowed my old spring compressor and broke it..so he got me a NEW SET!..yahoo!

the valving, is probably a little different, but other than that they are the same

Hope I'm not hijacking the thread but if you put ASS struts on a non ASS car do they default to the hardest setting or the softest? If hardest how do they compare to the Turbo struts. If softest can you force them to permanently stay on their hardest or convert them to manual?

that is a good question. it probably depends on where the switch was when the car was turned off.

taking a step back, they are just 3 position adjustable shocks, that have a stepper motor to adjust them, similar to the Tein EDFC setup.

according to the FC book, the AAS shocks at .3m/sec are

F: normal, 80/25; firm 120/55 and very firm 125/60
R: normal 75/20; firm 85/40 and very firm 90/45

the turbo shocks are 125/50 F and 90/35 R
the base shocks were 80/25 F and 75/20 R

so basically the ASS goes from the base suspension (base, SE, GX, etc) to a tad softer and a tad stiffer than the turbo

Could one remove the stepper motor and turn the valve by hand? Just curious. I would imagine it's basically an adjustable strut with a stepper motor on top.

I have some AAS struts/shocks on my parts car maybe I'll get around to looking into this sometime.

sure, it may be easier to hack the control box though?

If I am not mistaken the motor bracket is under the nut,so if you undo it then it may disassemble the shock?But I think the motor is screwed onto the bracket with 2 phillips screws or 8mm screws.

I had a 626 Touring with the AAS shocks, I assume the systems would be similar - and although it's been a long time, I'm pretty sure the motor removed easily from the strut tops, and that it just had a flat blade/shaft that engaged a slot on the strut top to rotate the shock through the three settings - it could be done with a screwdriver and just left at the setting you preferred.

The motor can be removed but the bracket that the motor attaches to is the one that I am referring to.
The motor just moves a slot in the shock as you state..like a flat head screw driver slot sort of thing.
OH..make me think that the motor wires are through the cover too..so something may need to be done IF you plan to use the cover,Though it would be "out of place" if the motor was not on the shock.(maybe cut the wire ..or..?).The "regular" shock cover should be able to be used.That is if the bracket is not in the way.

Finally went out and looked at my parts car. Looks like the bracket sits low enough that the regular cover can be used. Also looks like it may not be held on with the bolt that holds the strut/spring assembly together but an additional nut that sandwiches it between the two. It doesn't look like it would be in the way either way so it could be left on and just use the whole assembly if the spring rates are the same.

It resets to the stiffest and rides like a log wagon...I just tried this on my 88 gxl. Tocki shocks and strut with eibach springs going in this weekend

I do know that the Ball joint became part of the front contorl arm on the S5, where the S4 was held on by two bolts. That is the only difference I can think of for the suspension.