Changing rear springs

[RobW]

I have a 2001 S3 and had it healh checked by VAGCOM and local VAG garage. A few things have come up which is a pain but two things stand out.
One of which is both rear springs broken at the base. According to the garage, a common fault? I am therefore looking for a "how to" replace the rear springs. I ahve heard that this a 20 minute job but would like some thoughts and opinions.

1.) How much for OEM springs and where is best to source them?
2.) Are there any other 3rd party rear springs that I can use instead?
3.) Do I need specialist tools to repalce lower springs?

Thanks for any help.

OllieH - I think you were looking for springs late Jan. Keen to know how yours turned out.

Rob

 

[tankie2ndrtr]

Chance for a Coilover upgrade ?

Think if its just springs your after Non branded or ones of Ebay will suffice..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Coilover-Heig...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item2559121cd4
or
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PI-Audi-S3-A3...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item25582dd2d8

Something like that.. As Far as im aware there are no specific tools aside from the C spanners needed. Axle stands or a lift thingy would be ideal to. I would strongly suggest getting a garage to do it if your not confident as i dont know what geometry or alignment will need to be carried out afterwards.

 

[RobW]

roger thank you

 

[<tuffty/>]

Have a look at this guide to give you an idea of whats involved...

http://noahlh.com/car/coilover_howto/

The rears are different on the quattro (A3 or S3) to the FWD A3/Golf but principle is similar...

Only specialist tools required for suspension are spring compressors for the front and the little spreading tool to open the front hub to remove the strut (see the above guide for details)

Rear springs should be easy enough to remove and replace without compressing them, just need to undo the lower damper bolt (also attaches the rear ARB drop link) and push the suspension arm down enough to wiggle the spring out..

Word of warning though.... make sure you undo the little arm attached to headlight height sensor which is connected to the passenger side upper tie bar on the rear as it WILL break if you do not before attempting to remove the rear spring...

Depending on how low you go with the replacement springs, you may well need to get adjustable rear tie bars to dial the camber back in again.... there are a number of threads about this and look in the performance bit of the stickies at the top of this forum for more info too...

<tuffty/>

 

[<tuffty/>]

@Huz... ??? dislike?

<tuffty/>

 

[thegoal007]

The rear ones are easy enough to remove especially when you think about why you are remoing them i.e a piece is broken so they are shorter ! But putting the new ones are pain in the neck - that's all I know when we attempted the job on the ground floor using just axle stands and a jack and no spring compressors (well at tleast the mini ones).

 

[ja3mie]

jack the car up both sides put on axle stands..

put the jackunder rear beam..

undo both lower shock bolts..

lower jack a bit and the springs will fall out

new ones in, jack beam back up and put shock bolts back in

 

[<tuffty/>]

jack the car up both sides put on axle stands..

put the jackunder rear beam..

undo both lower shock bolts..

lower jack a bit and the springs will fall out

new ones in, jack beam back up and put shock bolts back in

...as long as you don't have a quattro which the OP does ...

<tuffty/>