Hi, Does anyone know what the different coloured spots on the dampers are supposed to signify?
My 2006 Convertible had Orange Spotted dampers on the front and white spotted dampers on the rear. New dampers don't seem to have such markings.

Also my vehicle is fitted with the ADCM (CATS) system but a CVD system was fitted on later cars, is it possible to retrofit the new system to an older car? if so what hardware is required.

Many Thanks

Ian

 

I think that car manufactures colour code road springs (I think that's what you mean by 'dampers'?) for fitment and specification purposes, probs designates stiffness/rebound etc

The colours on the spring must match on both sides of the same axle but will often be different front to rear.

That's why springs should always be changed in pairs on the same axle, or at least that's what I've always done in 39yrs of car ownership.

 

Don’t know, but my 2007 XK also had an orange dot on the front shocks.

Highly unlikely. Although it seems like it should be possible to build a converter to use the old system signals to drive the new system shocks.
Would be a fun project if I had the time.

No, I think he means the shock absorber, not the spring.
When I replaced the front shocks on my 2007 XK a couple years ago, I recall the old ones each had an orange spot on them, about 1/2 inch diameter. The new shocks had a purple (or was it green?) dot on them. The new shocks were for a 2010-2011 model, and a bad choice on my part, as they stay hard, as my car cannot properly interface to them. (Bought some used ones on eBay to swap in sometime this summer.)

 

Hi and thanks for your reply to my post. I am in the same position as I have changed all 4 dampers for new Bilstien items and after the fitment the lovely supple ride had gone and the car jiggled around and was most uncomfortable. After doing a lot of research it appears the earlier cars used a different damper part number 6W83 18045 BA (orange spot) on the front and 8W83 18080 AB (white spot) on the rear, these dampers have a different solenoid coil inside them. They look identical and the only way you can check is to measure the resistance of the coil on the 2 connection pins inside the damper (not easy) The old type dampers have a coil resistance of 5.8 Ohms the new dampers have a resistance of 2.6 Ohms, why the resistance makes such a difference I can not ascertain but all I know is if the new dampers are fitted the suspension remains in the firm setting and the ride is ruined. The worst part of it is if you use the compatibility checker before purchasing the dampers it states they are suitable for your vehicle which leaves you with the problem of paying out over a Thousand Pounds to buy the dampers and having them fitted and the wheels realigned and the car is undrivable. To date I'm unable to find any manufacturer who can supply the older type dampers new and have purchased a replacement set from a motor salvage specialist.
Hope it helps.
Regards
Ian

 

i thought these were only for identification, like during factory assembly. a person building suspensions for a couple different models of vehicles would have a sheet telling them which damper is for which vehicle.

 

Kind of kicking myself now, for having tossed out my old leaking shock, as I see there are services that rebuild Bilstein struts, so maybe it could have been restored.