Full suspension rebuild questions
 

Hello !

I´m doing a full suspension restore on my 1999b(Facelift) Audi A8 2.8 FWD. just over 120k on the odo.

I´ve bought brand new Meyle shocks, Suplex springs, Mapco control arms for the front, Will also check CV´s for wear and replace if bad.

I have a couple of questions tho, especially on the rear I´m unable to find any good priced kits and all seems to be molded bushings, would it be any point to go to polybushings there ? I want to maximize comfort and ride quality.

Also, what kind of spring compressor do you recommend, I´ve been thinking bout getting one of the Sealey 7011 hydraulic ones. http://www.toolstop.co.uk/sealey-vs7...pressor-p54994, Would this work for both front and rear ?

I certainly wouldn't use poly bushes if you're after comfort, you will find them incredibly harsh compared to standard ones, I'd stick to stock ones as they were designed to give a luxurious ride in the first place +++

Suspected that much, did not know how much it impacted ride quality tho.

Are the rear bushing usually ok at 120k ? Car´s been lowered with FK coilovers and got some tapping/ rattles both front and rear and goal is to eliminate them all !

Hello mate
How much does it cost to rebuild suspension like that completely??
I'm just very interested, but you don't have to obviously share this information ;)

I´m buying everything new in box.

Shocks = Meyle , 200 eur Ebay
Springs = Suplex 160 eur Ebay

Front control arms : Mapco 300 eur

CV´s = 100 eur each if needed to be replaced.

Bearings about the same, 70-100eur each.

Rear parts, Not sure yet.. but looks like ~maybe 200 eur for new bushings.

Total about 950 euro ~ 800 gbp

I´m doing all the work myself.

I´m not looking at another 120k out of this car. But if I get 30-50k without any rattles or other issues I call this a win and well worth doing. I love the style and for me perfecting the car to almost new
condition is worth it.

Thats a really good investment especially if you keeping car for another few years, and hate rattles ;)
And if you get also a lot of satisfaction from doing it your self then its a win all the way.

:)

Love your D3 by the way !

Attached pic of my car in it´s current state, wheels are Kleemann DS-5´s

Cheers pal ;)
I like the ride height on yours and wheels are nice as well, haven't seen them before.
I'd love to be able to do this sort of mechanical rebuild like your self, I would get so much satisfaction from it.
I stay away from mechanical side, life is really precious to me ;) ,but I love doing electronics, wiring-rewiring, any electronic mods and diagnostics, I'm not saying I'm expert in it, but I'm quiet good.

Ride height visually looks fine :) But it´s harsh and scrapes on everything taller than a crumb of bread.

If it´s to high on stock springs I will problably go with some progressive lowering -25mm springs like Eibach.

By the way.. Can anyone explain the differance between Pre facelift and post Facelift suspension ? Looks like all components are the same by the "spindle" where the wheel sits is higher on FL cars ?

I really need some advice on spring comressors !

Are these any good for doing both the mcphearson struts in the front and to be able to compress the rear springs ?

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/Universal-Str...MT!~~60_12.JPG

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-...item3ccd51b4c7

I´m planning on completing this during february. So I´m collecting all the informormation I can right now! first time doing something this sever to a car :)

You can get the rear springs out without any compressors, disconnect the shock absorber then you should get enough movement in the lower arm and the spring will just fall out.

I have 220k on the rears and from what i can tell the original parts as the bolts look like they need to be undone with a cutting disc on the grinder. The bushes are looking tired now.

I have bought front arms from ebay (cheap new) and got about 45k per set. Changed twice now. So you should get 100k i would think.

One arm is slightly different it, can't remember which one it is though, one of the top ones i think. I was sent one of each! But they did send out the a replacement of the right type pretty quick.

And spring compressor all i've used is something like this
http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/attachmen...1&d=1389173826

Hi ! Thanks for the feedback!

I´ve done som search and It looks like the stock springs are to long to get out without a compressor. Maybe the FK ones on the car now will drop out tho, they are alot shorter and stiffer than stock.

Seen pictures of people using the type of compressor you mention, but looks like they might foul the bodywork on the inside when they are compressed, The one on ebay looks like it should be able to grip the whole spring for easy removal. I think I might buy it and do a trial run.. if it doesn´t work I can prob resell it for same price :)

regarding the rear bushings I´m unable to find any arm kits of any sort.. only oem and very expensive.. but I guess one can buy the bushings separate and get a workshop to press them in for me.

The saga continues. Just hit 127k miles so should have alot of life left in it :) Engine runs perfect, did a 700 mile trip over the holidays at 60-70 mph and got 35 mpg on 215/65 R16 winter tires. I was a bit impressed i must say. Just a small oil leak on the left side that needs attention before.

Due to time restrictions and the fact that the control arms doesnt seem THAT bad when inspected I´ve opted to only replace the shocks and coils front and back for now.

Did the rears on saturday, went pretty smooth, but now I have that Audi A8 Allroad i´ve always lusted for... I hope it will settle some :)


http://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-s3...2B14.25.01.jpg

That does not look right, when I had my D2 springs replaced the suspension went right back down to the correct height as soon as the car was moved a few feet. Are they the correct springs with the right colour codes?

I haven´t moved the car yet when i took the picture. I hope it will sink a bit when I move it. I think the car is "hopped up" due to being jacked up and down

I´ll take a new pic when I´ve done the front aswell:)

Car is now finished and was given a good wash and polish.

I´m VERY VERY happy with the result, rideheight is perfect for my needs and suspension is composed but soft.

http://ladda-upp.se/files/2014/b96011.jpg

Happy motoring and thanks for the feedback.

Looks great, the car looks so good that the pic looks almost like an Audi press photo! :)

Yea.. hard to belive it got 205000km on the odo and is almost 15 years old now :)