Suspension upgrade.

Charlie Farley

Charlie Farley

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As in the title really chaps.
I have decided to swap out my Bilstein B8 dampers with H&R springs setup for something else, probably B14's.
Just sorting out which is going to be the best option , but will update on how things go and if they are any real benefit over the B8 fixed spring B8 setup.
To be honest there is nothing wrong with what I have just want to fine tune things a bit more .
Needless to say the old setup which is only a couple of years old will be up for sale, but will list it up in classifieds.
 
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If your looking to fine tune Rob why don't you go with something with more adjustability than just ride height?
 
Do you just want to look pretty and slammed?
Bilsteins are pretty plush compared to some of the crashy under dampened competition
 
I need to lift the back a bit now really , when loaded with a big woofer and other stuff I could use a bit more height.
Quattro avants all seem to have a slightly biased to the rear ride height being lower even with aftermarket setups, albeit much less noticible.
The Bilstein B8 setup I have at present is excellent but being fixed ride height I'm stuck , going to B14's would hopefully give me that little bit more flexibility on the rears whilst still retaining the ride and handling I have come to love with the B8's.
Also running wider rim and offsets does have rubbing issues with oem camber settings, I want to keep as close to oem settings as possible but still keep the car the way it is now, B14's would also help this part of the problem.
Its all part of the wider rim/offset and lower than oem ride height problem that crops up with the B7's.
 
I love the look of the B14 kit Rob, it’s a fine price of engineering - I had to weigh up the B12 and the B14 kit hard. I opted for the 12 as my wallet had been hit hard with other issues found at the garage.

How about KW’s? I’ve heard mixed reviews about customer service but always great performers.


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Had a good old think and going to order a B14 kit from demon tweaks, they have 25% of Bilstein at the mo so down to £800 ish all in .
hopefully will all work out problem free but nothing is ever that straight forward.
 
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Will the h&r springs become available?

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yep, will be selling them but preferably with the Bilstein B8 dampers as they are a very well matched setup.
 
The rears don’t look so easy to height adjust, i read some RS4 guys drill through the chassis to stop the collar spinning so they can adjust them.

Spring rates/length primarily set the ride height, the damper just controls the oscillations.
 
Just Rob. said:
yep, will be selling them but preferably with the Bilstein B8 dampers as they are a very well matched setup.
Click to expand...
I already have bilstein shock absorbers

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which ones as B8's are shorter and made to work with lowered spring such as the H&R's etc
 
Upload 2019 8 9 22 3 50
 
I'll let you know in the morning ;)

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Just Rob. said:
Had a good old think and going to order a B14 kit from demon tweaks, they have 25% of Bilstein at the mo so down to £800 ish all in .
hopefully will all work out problem free but nothing is ever that straight forward.
Click to expand...

That’s a really good deal, would you fit them yourself?


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I would indeedy.
Fitted the current setup without issues and did the springs etc before that so I have no probs doing the fitting.
 
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Just Rob. said:
I would indeedy.
Fitted the current setup without issues and did the springs etc before that so I have no probs doing the fitting.
Click to expand...

You are a very handy man! I’d worry about the alignment (did I tighten that bolt enough?)etc... I’m too much of a worrier - I blame it on my mother.


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It's not really a difficult job to be honest, just depends on how you approach it, the easy way or the hard way, I prefer the easy way which does not involve touching the dreaded pinch bolt.
It is a very DIY job really.
 
Just Rob. said:
I need to lift the back a bit now really , when loaded with a big woofer and other stuff I could use a bit more height.
Quattro avants all seem to have a slightly biased to the rear ride height being lower even with aftermarket setups, albeit much less noticible.
The Bilstein B8 setup I have at present is excellent but being fixed ride height I'm stuck , going to B14's would hopefully give me that little bit more flexibility on the rears whilst still retaining the ride and handling I have come to love with the B8's.
Also running wider rim and offsets does have rubbing issues with oem camber settings, I want to keep as close to oem settings as possible but still keep the car the way it is now, B14's would also help this part of the problem.
Its all part of the wider rim/offset and lower than oem ride height problem that crops up with the B7's.
Click to expand...

So you want it lower and stiffer at the back with instant height adjustment, sounds like you need airbags really, lol

BC racing coilovers get a good rating too plus you can pick custom spring rates and get them valved accordingly for like £760 if thats your thing.

Bilstein products are pretty solid!
 
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nope, I want to lift the rear a bit, with the option to adjust it if need be later on , not looking to keep adjusting every other day.
Fronts are ok any lower and it will scuffing every grain of gravel .
So looking for decent quality coilovers really, have a preference for Bilstein and there B14 fit the requirements thus far.
 
Im dreading getting my dampers and trusting a mechanic again to not touch the pinch bolt failing that Rob you fancy doing a cobble? Lol
 
Ricky Burrows said:
Im dreading getting my dampers and trusting a mechanic again to not touch the pinch bolt failing that Rob you fancy doing a cobble? Lol
Click to expand...

Attack the job yourself Ricky it took me about 30mins (with a ramp and good tools to drop one corner) it really is just nuts and bolts and stress free as long as you avoid the pinch bolt. Save yourself the headache and cost of a monkey
 
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Alex Holmes said:
Attack the job yourself Ricky it took me about 30mins (with a ramp and good tools to drop one corner) it really is just nuts and bolts and stress free as long as you avoid the pinch bolt. Save yourself the headache and cost of a monkey
Click to expand...
Id always have a go at something only thing that puts me off is i don't have the tools for jobs like that and the cost to buy it all to begin with will be close to paying for labour, not a great way of looking at it i know but hence why I've fallen into a routine of getting someone else to do it, and knowing me id be half way through and need a certain tool i haven't got lol.
 
Once the tools are bought. Yours for life not just for Christmas

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I've pulled my 2 Audis apart a few times now for various suspension mods (in fact I've not had any problems with getting the pinch bolts out with (the first time) a bit of heat and careful spanner/socketset work. Secret is put them back with plenty anti-sieze compound all over everything then they come out again (when required) without problems. Always worth having a go yourself mate, even if it's just for the satisfaction of pulling it apart & sticking it back together again! :smile new:
 
boffin486 said:
I've pulled my 2 Audis apart a few times now for various suspension mods (in fact I've not had any problems with getting the pinch bolts out with (the first time) a bit of heat and careful spanner/socketset work. Secret is put them back with plenty anti-sieze compound all over everything then they come out again (when required) without problems. Always worth having a go yourself mate, even if it's just for the satisfaction of pulling it apart & sticking it back together again! :smile new:
Click to expand...
Try telling the mechanic that tried palming a bill of nearly £1000 on me for snapping both my pinch bolts when putting the lowering springs on! Yeah id love to give it a go id need a spare car though as i know something will go wrong along the way lol
 
So when I fit my Coilovers next week. Don't touch the pinch bolt..... pics of said horror PLEASE

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It is not an issue that everyone experiences , but it does tend to be more problematic than not.
If the joints have been disassembled before and not years that is the pinch bolt will less likely be a seized, if however it has been years then a problematic seized bolt is more likely, and you wont really know until you have aready started messing around with it.
First rule with it is this, unless you really , really need to remove it to replace other linkages etc then just don't touch it.
Second rule, make sure you have new bolts to start with and access to heating equipment and that's not just a DIY gas blow lamp.

here is the main offender but there are others that can seize but this is the bad boy one.

P04-1024x768.jpg
 
Do you know the part numbers of the main bolts I'll need before doing the job? I'll get them ordered Monday

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There are several ways to tackle the job and some are better than others .
I've done it 4 times at least now and used the same method and its been very straight forward without issues.
I spent a while searching the interwebby and came across this video which worked out great and used the method everytime, all down to you though chap.

 
That'll do Just perfect Rob

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Decided to finally fit my new springs and dampers, unfortunately I had no choice but to tackle the dreaded pinch bolt as one of the bolts that connect the top arms to the strut mount is installed in reverse so no way to disconnect the arm in place.

The control arms were all replaced in January so the pinch bolt came out really easily, well on this side anyway!

Rps20190818 151859
 
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Have you considered b16s Rob? I’ve had them in for 3 years or so and couldn’t be happier. Also, for HOGG (and anyone else) if you haven’t done your install yet, I’ve found A1 Auto on YouTube have some pretty good DIY videos including problems you may encounter.
 
Done it Two weeks ago
38cd9298441000a3ed64ab96b82e9ede.jpg


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