The front nearside airspring on my 2002 Allroad keeps lowering off. How much of a job are they to change? Thanks
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The front nearside airspring on my 2002 Allroad keeps lowering off. How much of a job are they to change? Thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by WesleyP
Similar steps to changing a spring except it has an airline going to it,
The toughest part can be the top pinch bolt, plenty of loosening agent as if never removed preiously, it will be stuck, many reported breaking them which opens a whole new can of worms. take your time on the top bolt and hopefully it comes free.
loads of info on this forum on changing the air springs, use the search function here is one for starters: https://www.vwaudiforum.co.uk/forum/s...oad+suspension
read all the posts as there is some usefull info there,
I would recomend the replacement unit from Arnott, a lot cheaper than from an Audi Dealer, and good quality.
before all that though, is it definately the airblader leaking?? try soapy water on it to proove before spending £££'s
regards
Andy
I changed one side this weekend,it took 2.5Hrs (including 4 cups of coffee), hardest part was holding the top 18mm nut with pipe grips whilst undoing the shock with an Allen key, all done on my drive in the lovely January fresh air.
Lovely fresh January air...lol:)
I recommend an 18mm deep cranked ring spanner for the top of the shock, as G3off, its difficult without one, read the other posts in the link and use the search function, as it is all detailed there.
regards
Andy
Thanks Gents - is there a procedure available anywhere?
I found these to be very good write ups.....
http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?p=18122653
http://www.audiction.com/audi-mainte...g-replacement/
PS - I bought a pair of front air bags from Arnott for $799, paid $100 delivery (took 5 days but this was over xmas) but then I had to pay £120 tax when delivered, this is made up of VAT and import duty
Thanks for the help. Will be out this weekend spraying everything with WD-40 in preparation for doing the job later this month
If you can get some, Wurth Rost Off Plus is much better at releasing rust than WD40.Quote:
Originally Posted by WesleyP
I gave everything a quick squirt on the rear suspension, and it came apart with no problems after 14 years!
I got my can from ebay, but you should be able to get it from a motor factors.
Hi some good advice above. Just done this myself last weekend. Pinch bolt will be stuck! I had to take the whole unit off to get it on a bench and drill the critter out. Took hours and ended up changing all the suspension arms whilst i was at it. Hope yours is easier!
To add to the nut on top of the shocker bit i used an old cheap socket and grinded 2 sided off flat so that i could hold it with a spanner, then you can use a normal hex through the middle of the socket.
The Arnot bags are great. Really well put together and come with good instructions. Bought mine from ebay from germany and got great service. £260 incl delivery :)
I have read somewhere that the Arnot bags carry a lifetime warranty?
Yes they are sold with a lifetime warranty from Arnott.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Smith
Tried and failed...I managed to snap the head off the pinch bolt trying to undo it...it was solid. Garage did it for me, they had to use heat to get it out damaging the ends of the two arms that the pinch bolt locates in position. However the total bill for an Arnott air spring, and fitting, including two replacement arms, was about the same as one OEM air spring from Audi.
Hi, have changed my front air springs about two months ago. I opted for two Arnott springs for economy reasons. I read up all the advice I could find before starting. The dreaded pinch bolts looked likely to be a problem, so I spent a week beforehand spraying on WD40 every evening. No luck, the bolts were seized solid. Then I spotted a posting somewhere saying it was possible to do the job without having to undo the pinchbolts. They were right, so thank you whoever that was. It was a bit awkward, but not too difficult. After removing the lower shock absorber bolt you disengage the lower end of the shock absorber. You then remove the top three support bolts and lower the whole assembly and twist it outwards. It is then possible to get at the six hex bolts on top of the air spring. These had a 12 point hex bolt heads and I had problems trying to get them undone as I did not have the correct fitting. However, having looked on Google I found out that you can undo them using a normal allen key - end of problem. I can report that the Arnott springs have been performing well with no problems and to me they do not feel any different to the originals.
The pinch bolts had the last laugh though, because about a month after completeing the job I took my car for an MOT and whoops both upper ball joints were worn. So, the pinch bolts had to come off after all. There was no chance that I could have done the job without major traumas, so the car had to go into the garage. The pinch bolts sheared off at both ends and the whole assembly had to be taken off to go into the vice. One side responded to being heated, but the other side did not and the bolt had to be drilled out. Also, two new ball joints and suspension arms needed each side.
Anyway, I hope this information may be of help if you are about to start on this job.