A6 Saloon Suspension Problems

[mrp0ny]

Hello to all

My 1.9tdi auto which has 430K on it has had new dampers twice in that time, but never needed any springs (it rides beautifully). It's had the usual arms/front suspension done completely at least once.

The car is so good, I bought another one as a spare, with only 90K on it. It has genuinely only done this as is obvious from under the bonnet, the power/feel etc (it's faaaast!). However, it handles dreadfully. I confidently had the dampers changed on it, expecting it to be fine. But it is still terrible (albeit a little bit better).

Possibly it has been stood a bit in its lifetime due to not being used much. It also seems to stand a lot higher than the 430K one.....(no magic carpet effect sagged springs)......

Anyhow, do I need to change the springs? Or is it something else like the anti-roll bar? It passed the MOT only a month or so ago....

Any help gladly received!

Cheers


David

[iwaters]

430K is very impressive, especially from an Auto. Car Mechaincs magazine have an article each month featuring readers cars that have done over 200K, you should submit yours (don't think you get a prize or anything though).

Anyway, first thing to check is the data sticker in the spare wheel bay of both cars. There will be a long list of codes. You are looking for either 1BA or 1BE. This identifies the running gear the car has. 1BA is standard, 1BE is sport which sits about 20mm lower. This could explain the difference in ride hide.

When you say it handles terrible, is it bouncing around on the road or is it when you turn in to a corner?

I could be the ball joints on the end of the control arms. Jack the car up and put on axel stands so both front wheels are off the ground. Grap the wheel at 3 and 9 Oclock and try and wobble the wheel, there should be no movement. Then door the same with your hands at 12 and 6. If you do find movement you will have to wobble the wheel and look behind to see what is moving. Which is easier said than done.

Then remove the wheel and inspect the rubber seals on the ball joints for splits and cracks.

Given that you have just had an MOT you might not find anything wrong, however and MOT will only idetifiy joints that have failed and are dangerous, they could still affact handling and pass the MOT.

I don't think the ARB will have much impact on the handling but check it to make sure it is sttraight and not damaged. Also inspect the drop links for wear and movement. The ARB bushes aren't expensive.

[Padwick]

I find drop links are almost an annual replacement on these cars. Well one of them anyway but better to change in pairs.
Could be wheel bearings too but the test mentioned above will check for this too.

[mrp0ny]

Thanks very much for the advice guys. I'll check the label in the boot and the other things. The car seems to move about or wobble from side to side much more dramatically and I can feel it bouncing gently like a ship when at speed (although slightly improved with new dampers)
The 430K one is perfect on the Bilsteins and old springs though - I think the old softer springs plus newish bilsteins give a fantastic ride quality...

But the 90K one, even with new dampers, feels very approximate.It also has bigger 17 inch wheels with lower profile tyres, but I dont think thats the problem - it's too bad to be just that.....(although I think I prefer the ride quality on 16 inch wheels despite them not being fashionable)...

Sounds like the whole of the front suspensio on the 90K is clapped out then......even on the 430K one (I changed all the front joints/bits twice), it never felt as bad as this one, even when there were clicking noises due to worn out arms etc.......very strange...

Help appreciated...

[Padwick]

From past experience I've found that the original suspension lasts around the 90k.
On my current one I changed every arm except the two bottom fronts back in June at 83k and on my last one I bought it at 93k and it was completely clapped in the front. Changed every arm in the front and made a huge difference, while also raising the car 15-20mm in the front.

[All-rod]

I could also add to check tracking and its known that incorrect suspension parts make ride feel strange at turns and increases wear.