[vadsoom]

Hey All,

Yesterday I replaced my ‘08 Passion springs, shocks, and struts because I broke a spring and it would not pass NY state inspection. I bought a complete OEM set from an eBay seller with the understanding that they came from an ED.

The car rides about 3 inched higher (the seller warned about this) which doesn’t bother me in the least, but I’m shocked at the impact on the ride! My Smart handles bumps so much more smoothly! Lovely! I’m looking forward to my wife riding or driving because she has often commented that potholes were a teeth-jarring experience.

Here’s a photo of the rear left showing the additional lift. I must paint the drums when I have a moment.

 

[Miss Mercedes]

Three inches was my estimate, perfect! I better pick up a set before they run out, I ended up not getting last time because I was drawn in by that exhaust xD. I would be primarily doing it for my off-road build. :3

 

[jzchen]

What? I thought it had the lower Brabus suspension! Thanks for sharing!!!

 

[Miss Mercedes]

These are the shocks and springs from the 2011 Phase II ED, which presumably due to the chunky Tesla battery had to have a heavy duty suspension.

 

[Tony Margulis]

Three inches was my estimate, perfect! I better pick up a set before they run out. I would be primarily doing it for my off-road build. :3

Off-road build? I'm intrigued. Please tell me more.

 

[Miss Mercedes]

I'm making my first smart into a tiny offroader. Offroading and Overlanding have always been interests of mine ever since I got my first ride in a Jeep Wrangler. I always figured my first non-smart would be a Jeep.

But then - presumably after hitting my head on something or something like that - I decided "wait, I have two smarts now, why not go wild with that first one?" Then I cooked up this offroader idea. As of right now, the car is my little toy hauler. I have a hitch that gets a lot of mileage towing fun things around.

My idea is different than the offroad builds so far (which to me cheat and mount a smart body to an ATV, or slice and dice the panels up, or cut into the tridion cell). I plan on getting the ED suspension, which should lift the car 2-3 inches. Then I'll get the Daystar lift for another 2 inches (my independent mechanic can install and make modifications where necessary), widen my track to account for the higher COG, then finish with General Grabber A/Ts in 205/70/15. When finished, I should have more ground clearance than a factory fresh Jeep Wrangler and the panels should also be preserved as well.

Tally for the parts will run me about $1,000 and my independent will probably install everything for a few hundred, if that.

 

[Tony Margulis]

That sounds great. Is the front ED suspension also 3" taller? I thought just the rear was beafier because the 400lb battery is in the rear?

 

[Miss Mercedes]

Yep! Both ends are stronger. The EDs in question were the old 2011 Tesla battery ones. The units these parts come from really meant to get into the hands of the public like this. They were supposed to be leased out then returned to smart at lease end. That didn't go to plan at all. xD

These springs/shocks have the same part numbers as normal springs/shocks too.

Edit: *Sigh* And I just bought the stupid things for real now. lol

 

[vadsoom]

MM, you are 100% correct. The new springs are stiffer to accommodate the added weight of the ED battery.

On that note, it’s not advised to replace only a front or rear pair. If you’re going this route, replace them all.

 

[Tony Margulis]

I'd love to see pics when it's complete.

 

[vadsoom]

Here ya’ go...

 

[Miss Mercedes]

Wow, it actually looks taller than the Daystar kit.

 

[vadsoom]

Yeah, I was shocked when I took it off the jack stands and got it back on the ground. My daughter’s school has some speed bumps that were punishing if taken to fast. Now there isn’t much difference between my Smart and my other cars.

 

[papermaker]

Well, i just broke a right front spring on my 09. I need to do this as the roads here in Maine are pretty rough. Any info on where to get a set of these would be most helpful. Or some part numbers....like to get back on the road ASAP! Are the shocks and struts actually valved different or is it just the spring? Thanks for any info.....Scott


OK, so after rereading this post......parts are the same numbers, so I need to find the right spring rate indicated by the painted dot color on them?

 

[jimvw57]

I got mine from Autobahn in California. Not sure if there are any left but might be worth a try.

Autobahn Parts - Autobahn BMW & Porsche Parts Dismantler

 

[papermaker]

i tried them......found some but from gasser. Thank you tho.....I will keep searching. I see the springs here are blue dotted. I found some with that but they came from a gas rig too......I dont really know what to look for if the part numbers are the same.

 

[jzchen]

www.car-part.com has several listed, for the front right. Maybe consider just replacing the one to get yourself back on the road quicker.

 

[jimvw57]

Just put the second side on and it was broken too. Glad I didn't go with one spring. The extra heavy Tesla springs have 3 blue dots on the springs if that helps.

 

[papermaker]

Just put the second side on and it was broken too. Glad I didn't go with one spring. The extra heavy Tesla springs have 3 blue dots on the springs if that helps.

The rear as well? Is there a difference between the shocks and struts(spring perch shock)? That was VERY helpful......Thank you very much!

 

[papermaker]

Is this what I need? Rears only have 1 dot....and from a pure????? If this is it ill jump! Thanks.....


http://www.autobahnsmart.com/suspension/oem-bilstein-front-rear-shocks-struts-springs