Can I fit 1.8 front struts to a diesel?

r44flyer · 30th December 2022, 16:07

As title... will I get away with it? Will it only affect ride height, or anything else?

I'm struggling to find a used front strut to swap as I have a broken spring. There's a pair on eBay from a 1.8. I have considered new ones but complete struts with all the required bits will be over £450 for parts alone which I'd be struggling to afford just after Christmas!

ceedy · 30th December 2022, 16:09

The diesel motor is a fair bit heavier than a 1.8, so the springs will be weaker

slovcan · 30th December 2022, 17:05

I think most folks just change the springs as that's less expensive. Also, your shocks/struts might still be just fine. Don't just change the broken spring, though. Do the pair.

rovertone · 30th December 2022, 17:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by r44flyer

As title... will I get away with it? Will it only affect ride height, or anything else?

I'm struggling to find a used front strut to swap as I have a broken spring. There's a pair on eBay from a 1.8. I have considered new ones but complete struts with all the required bits will be over £450 for parts alone which I'd be struggling to afford just after Christmas!

I've pondered this question because Rimmers do complete new strut assemblies for £95 & £135, (I haven't quite worked out why the 2 prices) as replacement for 1.8 Rover 75 or ZT (soft option).
A quick look suggested it might be more cost effective to buy diesel springs and swap them, selling on the 1.8's.
At the mo my suspension has been ok but thought at the age and mileage of my car it might be beneficial to change.

r44flyer · 30th December 2022, 17:47

Not a bad idea. But are the dampers the same? I'm not sure they are? If they are that's certainly a cheaper 'new' solution.

The rimmer bros ones are priced for 75 and ZT 1.8s I believe, ie. one is soft and the other firmer, the firmer ZT option being suggested as an upgrade for the 75.

Re swapping the springs only... that might be a shout if a bit more involved. The car is currently stranded in a multi storey car park with the spring in the tyre. It currently has one original diesel spring and damper and one petrol V6 one on the front! Another last minute availability/affordability option.

RogerHeinz57 · 31st December 2022, 09:59

These springs are ok to fit the 75 diesel, fitted plenty of these in years gone by. Good value for money and you cannot go wrong.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144168875...3ABFBMvpGc_axh

An hour to fit per side assuming the top mount is in fair condition. Far less faffing around. Job done.
I managed to miss the text stating it was stranded, I have done plenty of snapped springs in car parks lke this, a temp solution to get the car back is to dump any spring on so that it drives (Short distances) so the car can be got home, and decisions can be made regarding the next steps with less duress. Just depends on what you really decide, I suspect there are a few club members around with the odd spring saved as a spare nearby, I have a 1.8 and possible access to a diesel one (Need stripping off) Attention must be made to the broken spring, has it curled around the rigid brake pipe - see this a few times, and causes problems if the car has been moved with steering operated, the coil then curls between the inner wing and brake pipe, the battle is to free it before letting the whole strut off the car. Once the whol leg is off, it is fairly straight forward with all the tools needed including a fully charged nut gun !

r44flyer · 31st December 2022, 10:08

Useful info, thanks.

I wasn't explicit above I admit, but I have a ZTT not a 75.

However, a little digging suggests the dampers for ZT diesels are the same as ZT 1.8T. Only the springs differ.

Typhoon190 · 31st December 2022, 10:35

I went with Suplex springs on my Mk1 diesel 75 auto as I'd seen a lot of recommendations.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274827298409

Just seen you need ZT-T springs. I think the Suplex part number is 28139 ( Brown/Red )

norfie · 5th January 2023, 07:12

MGZT / TT 1.8 Turbo
Comfort - Dampers RNB 001060 / 1070, Spring - Brown/Yellow REB 000900
Sport - Dampers RNB 00381 / 391, Spring - Brown/Blue REB 000650
KV6 / Diesel
Comfort - Dampers RNB 001040 / 1050, Spring - Brown/Red REB 000890
Sport - Dampers RNB 000380 / 390, Spring - Brown/Brown REB 000430

Briodyjl01 · 5th January 2023, 07:45

I know the different spring and damper rates but …if it gets you out of a bind then it gets you out….I’ve put 1.8 shocks on a derv before to get it though and mot as they were shot and leaking. That car is still running them but it has diesel springs I think.

30th December 2022, 16:07	#1
r44flyer Loves to post MG ZT-T CDTi 135+ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Birmingham Posts: 467 Thanks: 5 Thanked 22 Times in 20 Posts	Can I fit 1.8 front struts to a diesel? As title... will I get away with it? Will it only affect ride height, or anything else? I'm struggling to find a used front strut to swap as I have a broken spring. There's a pair on eBay from a 1.8. I have considered new ones but complete struts with all the required bits will be over £450 for parts alone which I'd be struggling to afford just after Christmas!

30th December 2022, 16:09	#2
ceedy This is my second home All Trophy Blue ,ZT260#50 , ZT CDTI Auto, ZR105+ and 1.8T Firefrost spoiling the Set . Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Nr Sherborne But in Somerset.. Posts: 6,093 Thanks: 916 Thanked 1,214 Times in 768 Posts	The diesel motor is a fair bit heavier than a 1.8, so the springs will be weaker __________________ The Three Bloo's Wifey's Zr105, MY CDTI & 260 #50 and Number One sons 1.8T in Firefrost When I were a lad Zero to 142 in 10.25 secs at the Pod on my Blown Norton. 210 Kart Champ in 70's

30th December 2022, 17:05	#3
slovcan Gets stuck in 75 Tourer CDT MK2 manual in Glorious Grey Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Slovakia Posts: 987 Thanks: 926 Thanked 346 Times in 252 Posts	I think most folks just change the springs as that's less expensive. Also, your shocks/struts might still be just fine. Don't just change the broken spring, though. Do the pair. __________________ Southern Slovakia Anything can happen in Formula 1 and usually does - Murray Walker 1999 Triumph Trophy 900, Saddlesore 1600, Iron Butt Riders Association #63720 2005 Rover 75 CDT Tourer MK2

31st December 2022, 09:59	#6
RogerHeinz57 I really should get out more....... A Reasonably Priced Car Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Burton Latimer Posts: 2,530 Thanks: 408 Thanked 1,064 Times in 712 Posts	These springs are ok to fit the 75 diesel, fitted plenty of these in years gone by. Good value for money and you cannot go wrong. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/144168875...3ABFBMvpGc_axh An hour to fit per side assuming the top mount is in fair condition. Far less faffing around. Job done. I managed to miss the text stating it was stranded, I have done plenty of snapped springs in car parks lke this, a temp solution to get the car back is to dump any spring on so that it drives (Short distances) so the car can be got home, and decisions can be made regarding the next steps with less duress. Just depends on what you really decide, I suspect there are a few club members around with the odd spring saved as a spare nearby, I have a 1.8 and possible access to a diesel one (Need stripping off) Attention must be made to the broken spring, has it curled around the rigid brake pipe - see this a few times, and causes problems if the car has been moved with steering operated, the coil then curls between the inner wing and brake pipe, the battle is to free it before letting the whole strut off the car. Once the whol leg is off, it is fairly straight forward with all the tools needed including a fully charged nut gun ! Last edited by RogerHeinz57; 31st December 2022 at 10:27..

31st December 2022, 10:35	#8
Typhoon190 This is my second home MG ZT-T 190 Monogram Typhoon Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Oxfordshire Posts: 4,713 Thanks: 328 Thanked 557 Times in 443 Posts	I went with Suplex springs on my Mk1 diesel 75 auto as I'd seen a lot of recommendations. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/274827298409 Just seen you need ZT-T springs. I think the Suplex part number is 28139 ( Brown/Red ) Last edited by Typhoon190; 31st December 2022 at 10:40..

30th December 2022, 17:47	#5
r44flyer Loves to post MG ZT-T CDTi 135+ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Birmingham Posts: 467 Thanks: 5 Thanked 22 Times in 20 Posts	Not a bad idea. But are the dampers the same? I'm not sure they are? If they are that's certainly a cheaper 'new' solution. The rimmer bros ones are priced for 75 and ZT 1.8s I believe, ie. one is soft and the other firmer, the firmer ZT option being suggested as an upgrade for the 75. Re swapping the springs only... that might be a shout if a bit more involved. The car is currently stranded in a multi storey car park with the spring in the tyre. It currently has one original diesel spring and damper and one petrol V6 one on the front! Another last minute availability/affordability option.

31st December 2022, 10:08	#7
r44flyer Loves to post MG ZT-T CDTi 135+ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Birmingham Posts: 467 Thanks: 5 Thanked 22 Times in 20 Posts	Useful info, thanks. I wasn't explicit above I admit, but I have a ZTT not a 75. However, a little digging suggests the dampers for ZT diesels are the same as ZT 1.8T. Only the springs differ.

5th January 2023, 07:12	#9
norfie Avid contributor Rover 75 1.8T saloon Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Dunstable Posts: 206 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	MGZT / TT 1.8 Turbo Comfort - Dampers RNB 001060 / 1070, Spring - Brown/Yellow REB 000900 Sport - Dampers RNB 00381 / 391, Spring - Brown/Blue REB 000650 KV6 / Diesel Comfort - Dampers RNB 001040 / 1050, Spring - Brown/Red REB 000890 Sport - Dampers RNB 000380 / 390, Spring - Brown/Brown REB 000430

5th January 2023, 07:45	#10
Briodyjl01 Gets stuck in Rover 75 Tourer, Rover 75 Saloon Join Date: May 2018 Location: Castleford Posts: 982 Thanks: 237 Thanked 185 Times in 113 Posts	I know the different spring and damper rates but …if it gets you out of a bind then it gets you out….I’ve put 1.8 shocks on a derv before to get it though and mot as they were shot and leaking. That car is still running them but it has diesel springs I think. __________________ Too many Rovers to count ……