Did the suspension at last.
The pinch bolts were relatively easy on mine. The 2 parts of the wishbones needed more persuasion. Once they were out, I could see either calcification or grease that had hardened and had acted like loctite....
The rear took about 8 hours !!!!!!
Could not work out how to drop the suspension enough to get the rear springs out. Ended up dismantling the rear suspension assembly and still having to use spring compressors and use brute force.
Found out that the rear camber is adjustable. Since I don't have the proper instruments to set it, I ended up having to use a spirit level to set it to 0 degrees. That was with no load, I'm sure on the ground the camber will be different. I always thought the rear camber was *not* adjustable on a fwd.
I nearly gave up, but my friend persuaded otherwise. I found it the most diffcult car to change the suspension on. I'd already did something similar on a Mk2 and Mk3 Golf with minimum fuss.
Well, now it is fitted :
1) front is appr 40mm lower
2) rear is 35mm lower
3) the front springs are progressive, not sure about the rears.
4) all 4 new damper units are much, much smoother than the originals. Originals have 65000 miles on them. They are made by SACHS. There is less compression and more rebound on the new dampers.
5) The finish on the dampers are ok, not exceptional.
specs
System2 springs (Swedish)
Bilstein B4 dampers
S4, 20mm rear arb
A4 Avant TDI 130 2002 originally on SE suspension
The eating ?
Its much more comfortable now.
Body control is better.
Looks a lot better, before you could mistake it for an A4 allroad
Damping is excellent.
Copes with small bumps a lot better.
Pot holes, expansion joints etc are a little more noticeable, but only marginally so.
Summary, the suspension is now how it should have left the factory. I'd say it is just right for 90% of people. The rest may prefer something sportier. In that case I'd go for the Bilstein Sprintline, the mono-tube, usd type in conjunction with harder springs, maybe the H&R sportsprings, for a more sporty ride.
The springs and dampers cost me less than 300gbp...
Definitely a worthwhile upgrade.
The pinch bolts were relatively easy on mine. The 2 parts of the wishbones needed more persuasion. Once they were out, I could see either calcification or grease that had hardened and had acted like loctite....
The rear took about 8 hours !!!!!!
Could not work out how to drop the suspension enough to get the rear springs out. Ended up dismantling the rear suspension assembly and still having to use spring compressors and use brute force.
Found out that the rear camber is adjustable. Since I don't have the proper instruments to set it, I ended up having to use a spirit level to set it to 0 degrees. That was with no load, I'm sure on the ground the camber will be different. I always thought the rear camber was *not* adjustable on a fwd.
I nearly gave up, but my friend persuaded otherwise. I found it the most diffcult car to change the suspension on. I'd already did something similar on a Mk2 and Mk3 Golf with minimum fuss.
Well, now it is fitted :
1) front is appr 40mm lower
2) rear is 35mm lower
3) the front springs are progressive, not sure about the rears.
4) all 4 new damper units are much, much smoother than the originals. Originals have 65000 miles on them. They are made by SACHS. There is less compression and more rebound on the new dampers.
5) The finish on the dampers are ok, not exceptional.
specs
System2 springs (Swedish)
Bilstein B4 dampers
S4, 20mm rear arb
A4 Avant TDI 130 2002 originally on SE suspension
The eating ?
Its much more comfortable now.
Body control is better.
Looks a lot better, before you could mistake it for an A4 allroad
Damping is excellent.
Copes with small bumps a lot better.
Pot holes, expansion joints etc are a little more noticeable, but only marginally so.
Summary, the suspension is now how it should have left the factory. I'd say it is just right for 90% of people. The rest may prefer something sportier. In that case I'd go for the Bilstein Sprintline, the mono-tube, usd type in conjunction with harder springs, maybe the H&R sportsprings, for a more sporty ride.
The springs and dampers cost me less than 300gbp...
Definitely a worthwhile upgrade.
