Fitting Lowering springs - DRC question

[Webber498]

Hi all,

I'm new to the forum and have recently bought a 2016 RS6 with the dynamic pack.

I've bought some H&R 20mm lowering springs and my friend who owns a VAG specialist garage is going to fit them for me but he pointed out that ERWIN advises that the DRC system needs draining and refilling after the springs are fitted, he tells me this is because a hydraulic link between the shocks needs to be removed to get the shock out.

Is that what other people who had springs fitted have experienced? I read some other posts saying that the DRC didn't need touching or resetting.

Thanks
Adam

[MikeFish]

No need to remove shocks or drain them.
However some people say that the system should have it's pressure reduced slightly when lowered. I haven't lowered mine and I know plenty of other people who have done the same.

[Webber498]

Thanks for the reply Mike

So the shocks don't actually need removing to fit the new springs, are they not a macpherson strut type shocks with the spring over the shock?

Just I thought they normally had to drop the shock off the car to remove the springs on that type of strut.

Thanks
Adam

[Webber498]

Does anybody who had springs fitted without touching the DRC happen to know how it was done?

I spoke to my friend and told him that the shock doesn't need to be removed nor drain the DRC but he thinks the only way to achieve that is to use spring compressors with the shocks on the car, and he says that is archaic and dangerous... no idea if that's how others did it or if there is another way.

Any advice appreciated.

Thank you
Adam

[J66kco]

I phoned many Audi specialists when looking to lower. All but 2 said DRC recharge is required. Unit 20 said they could do it but never did as there's a chance something could go wrong. The other being plush automotive who never affect DRC. I have no idea how they do it (Mike may as I think that's where his was done) but I can't imagine plush just telling you how, but maybe give them a call

[Webber498]

Thanks, yes my friend is saying the same, it's risky doing it without disconnecting the DRC and taking the shocks off.

He is looking into buying the tools to recharge the DRC now... maybe that's the route we will have to go down

[MikeFish]

I don't know the details but I know lots of people who have done it without needing a recharge. Yes Luke did mine for me.

[Golfather]

Ive got a guide on how to do this without opening the DRC circuit, if anyone needs them pm me and I can send you the PDF.

[Webber498]

Thanks for the replies.

Golfather - I've pm'd you and would really appreciate it if you could send that PDF. Cheers!

[nuwanda]

Hi Godfather, please can you also PM the PDF too? Thanks in advance. Phil

[Webber498]

To help complete this thread, here is a link to the PDF, it's a KW fitting guide for the C7 RS6 but the process should be pretty much the same for H&R non adjustable springs.

http://docs.kwsuspension.de/ea-KWHFS-h2531000K.pdf

Mine is being done next week following his procedure so I will report back afterwards

[Webber498]

I was wondering what the approximate going rate for spring fitting on one of these is? Anybody willing to share what it cost them?

Saw another thread and somebody had been quoted £450 by a place in Essex and £500 by MRC. Yet one person was saying that was way to much. Is that the right ballpark amount?

[J66kco]

Got mine fit at unit 20 today. They didn't touch the DRC and cost £180+ vat. 2x technicians 1.5hrs to finish job

[MikeFish]

Yeah £200 - 250 is about right for the labour. Plus factor in a decent alignment afterwards, it makes an amazing difference!!!

[Gledsy]

No need to remove Drc shocks iv done it myself in my garage, there is enough cable length on the Drc system to undo the top nut pull your springs off and replace with the lowering ones