Allroad, Any one fitted an Arnott air suspension??

**bagpipingandy** · 07-02-2009,08:15 PM

Hi All,

just about to buy a replacement suspension for my Allroad form Arnott, but then:

has anyone fitted one, are they compatible with UK models, threads hole dimentions, ect??

any info appreciated

Andy

**DANCHASLYN** · 08-02-2009,01:31 PM

Hi Andy

Thank you for your very helpful, and full reply to my prob.

Noticed from the handbook at the time of the breakdown that the car was not supposed to be driven above 35 m.p.h. with the suspension set on 'high'. The seller claimed he'd driven it like that for nearly five months. Will be emailing him to find out, when the suspension stuck on high, and how it stuck on high and how it was that he was told it was a sensor?

Want to take the car to-morrow, 25 miles to the private garage that the Seller recommended, and said he'd used, in Inverness, (an Audi specialist) and hope they have a VAG COM? Don't know if safe to drive it with the front down and back up?!

I'm up in the hills above Invergordon, 25 miles north of Inverness.

Good luck with your repair.
Cheers

Dan

**bagpipingandy** · 13-02-2009,09:19 PM

Originally Posted by bagpipingandy

Hi All,

just about to buy a replacement suspension for my Allroad form Arnott, but then:

has anyone fitted one, are they compatible with UK models, threads hole dimentions, ect??

any info appreciated

Andy

I have a new Arnott front unit on order and will give an update on how the fitting goes. hope its straight forward

Andy

**DANCHASLYN** · 14-02-2009,01:05 PM

Hi Andy

Very interesting that you've found what you needed for your suspension prob, and the best of luck to you, for the fitting

A mate looked at my 'dropped front suspension' on my Allroad, and tog we saw that the front left airbag has burst.

(He's trying to source an airbag, not from Audi, no luck yet.)

Is it right to assume that the front right 'dropped' as well, as the two front airbags are connected?

We aim to replace the left front airbag first,

then look into the rear suspension, still stuck on 'high'. Are the back two, independent from the front, and/or, are all four independent from one another?

Could you please let me have contacts for 'Arnott'?

Thanks again

Dan

**bagpipingandy** · 14-02-2009,08:56 PM

Hi Dan

I believe all the airbags are independant.

However my front left bag has a leak more so on level 1 or 2 you can clearly hear it hissing, when the car ignition is off it starts sinking on that side, this lowering must trigger the level sensors so the other 3 wheels lower. As the airbags lower by one level and then again until they are on the lowest level, and the leaking one, the wheel is right in the wheel arch, (lower than the rest). They are all independant so one leaking should not alter any others appart from, when off, showing perhaps this lowering symptom to try and keep the car level.

The rear sticking up in the air is strange and would point to the Compresser module which has the air release valves to lower the car, but this is just a guess or start point, if the compressor has been running constantly to pump air, it will do itself damage and perhaps the valves also,

The compressor is under the car in front of the spare wheel well.

i have been trying not to run the car and if i do keep it in level 3 as it only leaks slowly in that level.

the Air bag i have ordered is from:
http://www.arnottindustries.com/part...17_pid124.html

its around £250 with supposed lifetime warranty but i have seen forums mentioning they are OK.

My Local Audi wanted £400 so i took my chances with Arnott, they also do rear units and coil overs to completely replace the airbag units, not for me but i can see the idea.

Delivery to the UK is around 2 weeks so i hope to get it fitted when it arrives

hope you solve yours economically as you can

i will let you know if it stops the car sinking when i fit it, it better!!

regards

Andy

**djl78** · 28-02-2009,07:11 PM

Originally Posted by bagpipingandy

Hi Dan

I believe all the airbags are independant.

However my front left bag has a leak more so on level 1 or 2 you can clearly hear it hissing, when the car ignition is off it starts sinking on that side, this lowering must trigger the level sensors so the other 3 wheels lower. As the airbags lower by one level and then again until they are on the lowest level, and the leaking one, the wheel is right in the wheel arch, (lower than the rest). They are all independant so one leaking should not alter any others appart from, when off, showing perhaps this lowering symptom to try and keep the car level.

The rear sticking up in the air is strange and would point to the Compresser module which has the air release valves to lower the car, but this is just a guess or start point, if the compressor has been running constantly to pump air, it will do itself damage and perhaps the valves also,

The compressor is under the car in front of the spare wheel well.

i have been trying not to run the car and if i do keep it in level 3 as it only leaks slowly in that level.

the Air bag i have ordered is from:
http://www.arnottindustries.com/part...17_pid124.html

its around £250 with supposed lifetime warranty but i have seen forums mentioning they are OK.

My Local Audi wanted £400 so i took my chances with Arnott, they also do rear units and coil overs to completely replace the airbag units, not for me but i can see the idea.

Delivery to the UK is around 2 weeks so i hope to get it fitted when it arrives

hope you solve yours economically as you can

i will let you know if it stops the car sinking when i fit it, it better!!

regards

Andy

Hi,
Have you had any luck with the arnott spring.I need to replace one of mine and was looking for feedback
Regards
djl

**DANCHASLYN** · 28-02-2009,07:55 PM

Hi bagpipingandy and dj178

Thank you both for your very informative replies and as I've not much further news, I've not yet replied.

The Audi is standing, waiting for family friend to free up after fixing other cars on his list. He has though found a place in England who could supply air bags at very low cost, will give details in next post, as not to hand now.

In the meanwhile, it sits, very, very low in the front, right down on both front wheel arches, back high in the air. Have gleaned something about if it were to be towed to family friend for repair, it would have to be in 'Jack up Mode'?

Not sure how we are going to get it there, a distance of 25 miles, as it is, is it possible to winch it, in this condition, either, forwards, or backwards, onto a Recovery vehicle?

The Seller still maintains he doesn't know why it 'stuck' in highest level, weeks before we bought it, and he continued to drive it, stuck like that.

telling us that it was normal.

We still don't know why the RH Front has sunk and stayed, to match the LH Front, which sunk to lowest level, after airbag burst, whilst driving for the third time only, since purchasing it. Both fronts right in the wheel arches.

On the RH front, there is no evidence of a burst air bag.

On the Dash, the level indicator lights still show that the car is at the highest level.

Does the entire bonnet have to be removed to work on the front suspension?

Cheers

Dan

**DANCHASLYN** · 28-02-2009,08:05 PM

Hi bagpipingandy and dj178

Reasonably priced Audi suspension parts in England, link given courtesy of our family friend Andi..........................

http://www.yourhotcar.co.uk/product/...Parts/Air_Bags

What do you think?

Cheers

Dan

**bagpipingandy** · 28-02-2009,08:59 PM

Originally Posted by djl78

Hi,
Have you had any luck with the arnott spring.I need to replace one of mine and was looking for feedback
Regards
djl

It has just arrived in the UK i had to pay £42 import duty before they will deliver to my door!!

delivery is arranged for Monday, i plan to fit not this week but hopefully next weekend. i have seen a post somewhere saying it is a good part but seeing will be believing, i will let you know what i think once fitted

Andy

**bagpipingandy** · 28-02-2009,09:07 PM

Originally Posted by DANCHASLYN

Hi bagpipingandy and dj178

Reasonably priced Audi suspension parts in England, link given courtesy of our family friend Andi..........................

http://www.yourhotcar.co.uk/product/...Parts/Air_Bags

What do you think?

Cheers

Dan

Hmmm doesn't look good, or i am only saying that as i have forked out £300 for my new Arnott one!!, no but seriously they don't give enough info about what car they fit and they look poor quality, its not to say it wouldn't do the job but more how long it will last,

as for towing your car its dificult, as with mine the leaking side goes right in the wheel arch preventing the wheel steering (or will damage wing) but i would imagine it could be front lift job or winched on a flat bed, either both air bags are gone (not likely) or electronic height switches/ECU issues, i say this as your lights on dash still think it is in normal position, Strange!!
This is obvoiusly guess work on my part, and a full investigation from your friend should narrow down the fault.

i will let you know how i get on fitting my new air bag, arrives monday

Andy