Rear shock gone, options.?

[irishmike]

Cheers, the garage have said that it's just the shock that's let go, no mention of any pipes needing replacing.
From talking to Unit 20 and a few other's I'd say I'll try to stick with the DRC as the roads over here are not the best, and I'm bringing my 4 yr old daughter around quite a bit so don't want an overly harsh setup.

I've the garage to double check the whole setup and price up the shock and flexi pipe.

I'd be hopeful that the corrosion wouldn't be as much of an issue as the roads here aren't treated with the same stuff as the UK, leading to less corrosion.
(Seen it first hand on other cars I've had)

[irishmike]

One further question!!

Would the RS4 suspension be considered a hydrolastic system?
From the description it sort of sounds like it, but the fact it has shocks and springs prob means that it's not.

Reason for the question is that my warranty covers hydrolastic components..

[PetrolDave]

Would the RS4 suspension be considered a hydrolastic system?

IMHO no.

In a hydrolastic system (I'm old enough to have owned a few BL/ARG hydrolastic vehicles) the damping is provided by the fluid so if you lose the fluid then the car sinks right down, but with DRC the damping is provided by the dampers and the primary purpose of the fluid is to provide additional anti-roll and anti-dive characteristics - to allow softer damping for a better straight line ride but to stiffen up when cornering and under acceleration/deceleration to provide better handling.

That's the USP of DRC - decent ride plus good handling.

[R1RS4]

Cheers, the garage have said that it's just the shock that's let go, no mention of any pipes needing replacing.
From talking to Unit 20 and a few other's I'd say I'll try to stick with the DRC as the roads over here are not the best, and I'm bringing my 4 yr old daughter around quite a bit so don't want an overly harsh setup.

I've the garage to double check the whole setup and price up the shock and flexi pipe.

I'd be hopeful that the corrosion wouldn't be as much of an issue as the roads here aren't treated with the same stuff as the UK, leading to less corrosion.
(Seen it first hand on other cars I've had)

Good move right decision

[irishmike]

Cheers Dave, that was my thought, just a shot in the dark really.

Getting Audi down to a more reasonable price now.

No issues with any other shocks, and pipework looks fine.

Just wondering if I take a hit now and replace two while I'm at it.

[PetrolDave]

Just wondering if I take a hit now and replace two while I'm at it.

That's what I would do.

[irishmike]

And same axle or Diagonal?
Both garages are giving me different advice. Usual would be the same axle to avoid an imbalance. But Diagonal might make sense as they linked and pressurising the system may pop the older one..

[coffey555]

Both are right, but if only changing two I would do them diagonally as they are part of the same circuit.

Personally I would change all four at the same time as it is probably only a matter of time before the other system fails and mixing old and new dampers on the same axle just seems wrong.

[PetrolDave]

Both are right, but if only changing two I would do them diagonally as they are part of the same circuit.

Personally I would change all four at the same time as it is probably only a matter of time before the other system fails and mixing old and new dampers on the same axle just seems wrong.

Agree with both of those comments.

[Covkiller]

KW V3 Corner weighted and lowered

[coffey555]

KW V3 Corner weighted and lowered

For hard road use or on a track, then yes. I am running the same suspension components as you and I would only consider keeping it that way if my children turned out to be ginger.

[22B]

Both are right, but if only changing two I would do them diagonally as they are part of the same circuit.

Personally I would change all four at the same time as it is probably only a matter of time before the other system fails and mixing old and new dampers on the same axle just seems wrong.

Agree with both of those comments.

Yip, me too. I replaced the whole lot last year; all 4 corners plus the pipes. Biggest cost was labour on the pipe fitting because half the car has to get hauled apart to gain access. Turns out it was as well I did because the pipes were well shot and it would only have been a matter of time before they failed. However, Perth Audi very generously gave me a very generous 'goodwill' discount (of 50% i think). The whole lot cost about £2350 but it really is like a new car again. I wanted to keep the car as original as possible and I believe that the DRC system is still the best all round anyway. Kw's or whatever just not for me but I can see the attraction for some.

IainRS

[irishmike]

I'm hopeful that the pipework is still ok.
Had the garage to do a full check and they reckoned it was grand.
Few pics of the damage..

Busted Shock:



Flexi Pipe



Pipework

[Covkiller]

Yes DRC is a great system but when its rusty, old leaking and knackered as mine were KW's are ultimately adjustable, stainless steel, serviceable and cheaper. But I can only respect the enthusiasts who want to keep OEM spec.

[irishmike]

Yeah, I'd agree in fairness.
The rest of my system is in pretty decent shape according to the garage, if it was in bad order the KW's would be a good option.