Installing Lowering Springs

[gt2]

Ive been looking into getting some lowering springs for the rs4. Im unsure as to whether to get H&R springs or the kw adjustable yet but Im definitely getting one of them. I plan on having a go at this myself but have a few questions if anyone can help?

When installing lowering springs is it necessary to reset the centre point for the suspension control arms once lowered? And are adjustable control arms worth it?

Cheers

[Rick_RS4]

mine tracked up fine when i lowered it, didnt use adjustable arms,

reset the centre point?

you should be more worried about how tight the shocker is to work on with the drc still attached

[gt2]

mine tracked up fine when i lowered it, didnt use adjustable arms,

reset the centre point?

you should be more worried about how tight the shocker is to work on with the drc still attached

From what I can remember(its a while since I've changed one) the control arms are spring loaded. Their centre point/when they are exerting no up or down force should be when the vehicle is on the ground and stationary. If you change the springs out then you change the position of the arms so they will be exerting an up/down force when they shouldnt be. Hopefully that makes sense? Its something I read on an american forum and it seems to make sense. Its not mentioned in any part of the installation guide for the kw springs though so maybe its totally unnecessary?!

Is it really that tight? Im pretty worried about not being able to get the top pinch bolt out and the hub carrier breaking as Ive seen a few threads where this has happened but the potential £300 i was quoted for something I should be able to do myself was a bit hard to swallow.

[hotspur1882]

Just had a set of H&R lowering springs fitted to my 07 saloon by AMD in Essex cost was around £260.00 fitted which included being set up on the hunter 4 wheel alignment rig ( I supplied the springs ).

[esp_mm-270]

Never heard of 'spring loaded' control arms. I suppose I would leave the inner bolts for the control arms loose then tighten up when sitting on the new springs (as some bushes would see extra rotation) but seen as this is impossible on the upper rear control arms on our cars.........

[docurley]

I have a set of H&R springs to fit to mine I got quoted £150 by VW Enterprise to fit mine but was contemplating doing it myself but have not seen a write up on how to do it yet.

[Rick_RS4]

i see what you mean, yes you are meant to loosely tighten the arms then when on the ground fully tighten the arms as it can cause stress on the bushes

[gt2]

I have a set of H&R springs to fit to mine I got quoted £150 by VW Enterprise to fit mine but was contemplating doing it myself but have not seen a write up on how to do it yet.

heres the kw guide for how to change the springs

http://docs.kwsuspension.de/ea-KWHFS-h25310051.pdf

[gt2]

they are all significantly better quotes than I had. the garage did say it was £300 as a worse case scenarion, depending on how difficult the bolts were to get out.

[gt2]

i see what you mean, yes you are meant to loosely tighten the arms then when on the ground fully tighten the arms as it can cause stress on the bushes

cheers

[shinz]

Changing the springs yourself with DRC still all connected is difficult at best and only contemplate if you are totally comfortable compressing springs and disassembling the strut arrangement in the front wheel well. You do not need to remove the upper arms at all, but is easier if you remove. When you reinstall, simply put a jack under the strut to raise and just take the weight of the vehicle before torquing the bolts.

When I installed my KW lowering springs I added adjustable upper control arms, but only to get some extra positive castor and negative camber. This has significantly improved turn-in and reduced the inherent understeer. Whether or not you change the arms a super tip is to spin the upper arm bolts. That way if you want/need to change the arms again you do not have to remove the complete strut assembly with the smaller diameter KW type springs.

If you do decide to change to adjustable upper arms, I have found the SPC Motorsport arms to be awesome. They have a bearing instead of rubber bush, which again significantly helped to improve turn in.

You may find the pinch bolt to be seized, particularly if you drive when the roads are salted. Alternatively if you are located anywhere near unit 20, let them do the install. They have done dozens of these and they flush & set the DRC system for reasonable cost.

[gt2]

Changing the springs yourself with DRC still all connected is difficult at best and only contemplate if you are totally comfortable compressing springs and disassembling the strut arrangement in the front wheel well. You do not need to remove the upper arms at all, but is easier if you remove. When you reinstall, simply put a jack under the strut to raise and just take the weight of the vehicle before torquing the bolts.

When I installed my KW lowering springs I added adjustable upper control arms, but only to get some extra positive castor and negative camber. This has significantly improved turn-in and reduced the inherent understeer. Whether or not you change the arms a super tip is to spin the upper arm bolts. That way if you want/need to change the arms again you do not have to remove the complete strut assembly with the smaller diameter KW type springs.

If you do decide to change to adjustable upper arms, I have found the SPC Motorsport arms to be awesome. They have a bearing instead of rubber bush, which again significantly helped to improve turn in.

You may find the pinch bolt to be seized, particularly if you drive when the roads are salted. Alternatively if you are located anywhere near unit 20, let them do the install. They have done dozens of these and they flush & set the DRC system for reasonable cost.

Thanks shinz, I am certainly no mechanic but I know my way around a set of spanners. A lot of good tips there tho, I appreciate it. Im still on the fence as to whether to have a go myself or not, Im away working at the moment so will decide when I get home. Unfortunately I stay in Lincoln so its about a 3 hour drive to unit 20 so unless I was in the area then I may as well pay for my local audi independent to do it. Im not after all out performance its more just styling that I want the lowering springs for whilst maintaing the DRC.