Altea Freetrack TDI lowered

[mendez]

Hi All,

Just a quick parts list to lower a Freetrack with oem equipment.

Original ride height (not exact)
Fr - 84.04mm
Fl - 88. 42mm
Rr - 93.92mm
Rl - 92.94mm

Mk6 Golf R springs:
Part Number: Front - 1K0411105DC - Dots = brown/pink/blue
Part Number: Rear - 1K0511115BH - Dots = orange/white/yellow
(mine were used and had 30k wear when purchased)

The rest of the parts I purchased new through Autodoc app. They confirm all the parts fit, via vin number check before the order is placed.

GAS SHOCK ABSORBER (Rear): 19-127439 BILSTEIN
GAS SHOCK ABSORBER (Front): 22-139191 BILSTEIN
Dust Cover Kit (Front): 910177 KYB
Dust Cover Kit (Rear): 910002 KYB
Top Strut Mounting (Front): 1180S0171 RIDEX
Top Strut Mounting (Rear): 802 339 SACHS

I've probably done about 15k with this set up and the handling improvement is vast. The Freetrack handled pretty well beforehand.. apart from It leaned alot under heavy lateral load.

Next to a mk6 Golf 1.4 TSI 160 GT

 

[limalex]

Look Nice. I just bought one Freetrack and waiting for delivery. Lowering will be the first thing. What size wheels and tyres you have? I cannot decide between 18 and 19"

 

[mendez]

Thanks limalex. As I like to have 2 sets of wheels (summer and winter) I've kept to 17 inch wheels for continuity & price of replacement tyres (anything above this size has some ridiculous prices for decent quality tread)

Summer Wheels
Wheels: 17 ET35 5/112 8J - Audi C5 A6 4-door 4.2 v8 model from year 2000 - 2001 (called "Pie Plate" a.k.a. "Pie Cutter" style)
Tyres: Continental PremiumContact 6 - 225/45 R17 91Y with kerbing rib

Winter Wheels
Wheels: 17 ET46 5/112 7J - Standard Altea Freetrack wheels
Tyres: Nokian WR D4 - 225/50 R17 98V Reinforced

With winter wheels on:

 

[mendez]

I just bought one Freetrack and waiting for delivery. Lowering will be the first thing. What size wheels and tyres you have? I cannot decide between 18 and 19"

Which colour and engine have you gone for? 18's would look brilliant IF you can get the right offset to flush the wheels (or use spacers) There is plenty of room in the arch to go wider than 8j..i just couldn't find any in 17 inch that would work on a budget. 19's would look outrageous!

 

[Dani Diaz]

Hi All,

Just a quick parts list to lower a Freetrack with oem equipment

1. Mk6 Golf R springs (mine were used and had 30k wear when purchased) The rest of the parts I purchased new through Autodoc app. They confirm all the parts fit, via vin number check before the order is placed.
2. 19-127439 BILSTEIN
3. 22-139191 BILSTEIN
4. 910177 KYB
5. 910002 KYB
6. 1180S0171 RIDEX
7. 802 339 SACHS

I've probably done about 15k with this set up and the handling improvement is vast. The Freetrack handled pretty well beforehand.. apart from It leaned alot under heavy lateral load.

View attachment 20804
Next to a mk6 Golf 1.4 TSI 160 GT
View attachment 20805
View attachment 20806

Hi Mendez, I'm new here and to be honest I just registered cause you just saved my life! No car shop could find lowering springs for my Altea, I guess they didn't bother to look deep enough!

I currently have a 19" set of Audi Rotor on it, but altough the handlig improved a bit, I need to lower it in Order to get rid of that awful body roll.

Can you please PM me on the options you know exist for that purpose? Thanks a lot in Advance! Cheers

 

[mendez]

I currently have a 19" set of Audi Rotor on it, but altough the handlig improved a bit, I need to lower it in Order to get rid of that awful body roll.

Can you please PM me on the options you know exist for that purpose? Thanks a lot in Advance! Cheers
View attachment 21835

Wow nice colour! and very nice wheels. I thought 19's would look too big..but they look really nice what ET offset and J width are they?

Check your PM inbox

 

[Dani Diaz]

Wow nice colour! and very nice wheels. I thought 19's would look too big..but they look really nice what ET offset and J width are they?

Check your PM inbox

Thanks Mendez, I really looked hard to find a white one, I was very strict; I wanted something with only 1 previous owner and always assisted at SEAT, so it took me about a Year to find one, but it was worth the wait!

The rims are 8.5J with 43ET. I think they were from a RS4, not sure.
Currently still running the tires they came with in 255/35/19, but I'm looking to buy something with 245/40/19 measures as I feel the car to "stuck to the ground" when I accelerate and and a higher profile so I won't feel the bumps as much.

Speaking of comfort, did you lose a lot when you changed your suspension?

 

[mendez]

Thanks Mendez, I really looked hard to find a white one, I was very strict; I wanted something with only 1 previous owner and always assisted at SEAT, so it took me about a Year to find one, but it was worth the wait!

The rims are 8.5J with 43ET. I think they were from a RS4, not sure.
Currently still running the tires they came with in 255/35/19, but I'm looking to buy something with 245/40/19 measures as I feel the car to "stuck to the ground" when I accelerate and and a higher profile so I won't feel the bumps as much.

Speaking of comfort, did you lose a lot when you changed your suspension?

Great find!! When I brought mine, there were only 2 available in silver. I ended up driving 250miles there and back in total to buy it. Comfort and handling vastly improved. The rims are nice! the tyres you'll need are 235/35/19 to keep the rolling circumference correct - see link below

https://www.willtheyfit.com/index.php?width=225&aspect=50&diameter=17&wheelwidth=7&offset=46&width2=235&aspect2=35&wheel_size=19&wheel_width=8-5&offset2=43

 

[Dani Diaz]

Great find!! When I brought mine, there were only 2 available in silver. I ended up driving 250miles there and back in total to buy it. Comfort and handling vastly improved. The rims are nice! the tyres you'll need are 235/35/19 to keep the rolling circumference correct - see link below

https://www.willtheyfit.com/index.php?width=225&aspect=50&diameter=17&wheelwidth=7&offset=46&width2=235&aspect2=35&wheel_size=19&wheel_width=8-5&offset2=43

I live in the south of Spain, in Múrcia, and had to travel 400km to Madrid and back, total of 800, about 500miles for mine haha.

Well, I based my choice on a graphic (see picture)

I got for Plus One and Plus Two rim sizes, only that I upped the tire profile by 0.5 because I thought 35 was very low, but I guess I'll have to check it again.

If your ride didn't lose comfort I really have to take measures to see if I can get away with lowering 60mm hehe

 

[mendez]

I live in the south of Spain, in Múrcia, and had to travel 400km to Madrid and back, total of 800, about 500miles for mine haha.

Well, I based my choice on a graphic (see picture) View attachment 21857
I got for Plus One and Plus Two rim sizes, only that I upped the tire profile by 0.5 because I thought 35 was very low, but I guess I'll have to check it again.

If your ride didn't lose comfort I really have to take measures to see if I can get away with lowering 60mm hehe

You have to take into consideration the width of the wheel too. The standard Altea Freetrack wheel width is 7J and you have 8.5J wheels. Which is 1.5 inches increase in width. If you increase rim size, you have to decrease tyre profile to keep the correct/very similar overall rolling circumference

 

[Dani Diaz]

You have to take into consideration the width of the wheel too. The standard Altea Freetrack wheel is 7J and you have 8.5J wheels. Which is 1.5 inches increase in width. If you increase rim size, you have to decrease tyre profile to keep the correct/very similar overall rolling circumference

Which problems might I have if I get the 40 profile tires?

Also, I have every piece on my autodoc cart ready to order, except the Top Strut Mounting (Front): 1180S0171 RIDEX cause is out of stock, do you know about any alternative? Thanks a lot once again

 

[mendez]

Which problems might I have if I get the 40 profile tires?

Also, I have every piece on my autodoc cart ready to order, except the Top Strut Mounting (Front): 1180S0171 RIDEX cause is out of stock, do you know about any alternative? Thanks a lot once again

You would gain 6.9mm in tyre height. (which would mean less arch gap...but also less wheel clearance)

https://www.autodoc.co.uk/sachs/1229942

 

[mendez]

You could also use 245/35/19 (actually your best option for circumference) but 235/35/19 will give a little tyre stretch

https://www.willtheyfit.com/index.php?width=225&aspect=50&diameter=17&wheelwidth=7&offset=46&width2=245&aspect2=35&wheel_size=19&wheel_width=8-5&offset2=43

 

[Dani Diaz]

You could also use 245/35/19 (actually your best option for circumference) but 235/35/19 will give a little tyre stretch

https://www.willtheyfit.com/index.php?width=225&aspect=50&diameter=17&wheelwidth=7&offset=46&width2=245&aspect2=35&wheel_size=19&wheel_width=8-5&offset2=43

Yeah, I was going for that size, but I was afraid to feel everything on the road, as I told you, I live in Spain but I'm actually portuguese and Will go back to my country in a few months, and where I live we got a lot of tile roads which make for quite a bumpy ride, do you think that won't be a problem? I'd hate to ruin a rim by not having enough cushing from the road...

As for the parts, I have everything set, the springs I searched on the website and got ones from Bilstein instead of the Originals, you think it's ok or should I look elsewhere for the OEM stuff?

 

[mendez]

Yeah, I was going for that size, but I was afraid to feel everything on the road, as I told you, I live in Spain but I'm actually portuguese and Will go back to my country in a few months, and where I live we got a lot of tile roads which make for quite a bumpy ride, do you think that won't be a problem? I'd hate to ruin a rim by not having enough cushing from the road...

As for the parts, I have everything set, the springs I searched on the website and got ones from Bilstein instead of the Originals, you think it's ok or should I look elsewhere for the OEM stuff?

Golf R springs will be stiffer and the spring rate will be more sporty and load up far better in the corners. Over bumps at low speed, it can be a little "bumpy" but over pumps at normal speeds and motorway speed, it is very smooth and comfortable. The thing is, i've got 17 inch wheels, which allow me to have a bigger profile tyre...which gives me more cushion. You have 19 inch wheels, which doesnt allow you to have a bigger profile tyre. If your needs are aimed at comfort... get 17 inch wheels with a 45/50/55 profile tyre, don't lower it..just renew, shock absorbers, top mounts, bump stops and dust covers instead

Do you still have the original Freetrack wheels?

Roads in the U.K are not great either. So I didn't want to go bigger with my summer wheels, I went wider for grip and handling

 

[Dani Diaz]

Golf R springs will be stiffer and the spring rate will be more sporty and load up far better in the corners. Over bumps at low speed, it can be a little "bumpy" but over pumps at normal speeds and motorway speed, it is very smooth and comfortable. The thing is, i've got 17 inch wheels, which allow me to have a bigger profile tyre...which gives me more cushion. You have 19 inch wheels, which doesnt allow you to have a bigger profile tyre. If your needs are aimed at comfort... get 17 inch wheels with a 45/50/55 profile tyre, don't lower it..just renew, shock absorbers, top mounts, bump stops and dust covers instead

Do you still have the original Freetrack wheels?

Roads in the U.K are not great either. So I didn't want to go bigger with my summer wheels, I went wider for grip and handling

I mean, the roads are not awful, I'll leave you a few pictures here.

But I really can't consider going back to my 17" although I still have them in my Garage. I fell in love with the Audi Rotor at first sight, payed 1450€ for them, going back maybe I should've went for the 18" instead, but can't go back now

About the tires, the confort was the reason I was telling you that I wanted to go with 40 profile even though it's not the apropriate choice, just so I wouldn't compromise as much.

How did you find out about the Golf 6 R suspension compatibility? Do you know about other cases where I can get some height reduction without such stiffness as the Golf R ones? Maybe get the Golf 6 normal springs or even a GTI?

 

[mendez]

How did you find out about the Golf 6 R suspension compatibility? Do you know about other cases where I can get some height reduction without such stiffness as the Golf R ones? Maybe get the Golf 6 normal springs or even a GTI?

Pretty much all of VAG share parts/running gear..

The Golf R has a rear differential (like the freetrack) so it is naturally heavier in the rear than any other Golf/Altea in the range. So using none Golf R springs would load the springs more due to the extra weight of the car creating sag and less coil travel, plus altering the spring rate.

Golf R = 1496kg
Freetrack = 1568kg

 

[Dani Diaz]

Pretty much all of VAG share parts/running gear..

The Golf R has a rear differential (like the freetrack) so it is naturally heavier in the rear than any other Golf/Altea in the range. So using none Golf R springs would load the springs more due to the extra weight of the car creating sag and less coil travel, plus altering the spring rate.

Golf R = 1496kg
Freetrack = 1568kg

As you can see from the link below, there is plenty of arch gap with 19 inch wheels:

Gotcha!
I'm a HGV driver so I'm not home at the moment, but when I arrive, first thing I'll do is take measures to see if I can get the 60mm drop AND the 40 profile in the tires. If I can't, I'll just go with the 35 ones and hope it's not too harsh

 

[Icarus83]

Hello all, another Freetrack owner here. Though I'd share some of my tinkerings with the suspension on mine.

Mine is currently on standard Altea XL springs to bring the front down, and Audi A3 TDI Quattro Sline rear springs (to take some of the rear Haldex into consideration).

It can be a bit bouncy so I'm not 100% happy with it, they are essentially standard rate springs, and although the car now sits level (sills to ground) it needs the front down slightly to put back the natural rake cars have down at the front.

I've had some discussions with my local VAG specialist, and based on my max axel weights (mine is a TSI version btw so a TDI will be slightly different) a Skoda Yeti 4x4 springs are almost identical. My TSI has a front max weight of 1108kg and rear 1096kg

I'm intending to get a set of Eibach Pro line springs to try out on mine based on these weight numbers cross referenced on the KW coilovers site (as they have more detailed specs)

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[Icarus83]

Here's mine:

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