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DRC Steel line repair
Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2025 12:33 am
by scrappyloz
Does anyone know if its possible to repair the steel DRC lines. My rear OS one is leaking as it was rubbing and has worn a hole in it. I cannot find replacements for sale and audi no longer sell them.
Has anyone got experience or know if they can be repaired?
Re: DRC Steel line repair
Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2025 7:16 am
by Shoppinit
You could make some out of brake pipe possibly. The DRC pressure is only 20 bar IIRC. Much less than braking pressure.
Re: DRC Steel line repair
Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2025 8:42 am
by scrappyloz
Perfect, is it the same diameter as brake pipe do you know?
Re: DRC Steel line repair
Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2025 9:00 am
by srichards
I'd think making your own is a much better plan. If Audi did do them they'd be £££££ anyway.
You must have one of the only DRC still on and working cars apart from Audi's own press car!
Re: DRC Steel line repair
Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2025 9:18 am
by scrappyloz
srichards wrote: ↑Thu Feb 20, 2025 9:00 am
I'd think making your own is a much better plan. If Audi did do them they'd be £££££ anyway.
You must have one of the only DRC still on and working cars apart from Audi's own press car!
To be honest the car is completely standard apart so it would be nice to keep it original and not put coil overs on it.
Re: DRC Steel line repair
Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2025 9:20 am
by Shoppinit
Yeah, I would do this now. They are old enough now that more original the better, IMO.
Not sure if I’d go as far as putting the DRC back on, but I e got the option if I change my mind.
Re: DRC Steel line repair
Posted: Thu Feb 20, 2025 12:06 pm
by Felix2566
Mine still has the lines attached.
Might be able to find a breaker that has the pipes still fitted and get them off?
Re: DRC Steel line repair
Posted: Fri Feb 21, 2025 1:22 pm
by TOPMAN
Hi Scrappy
Which pipe is it that you need exactly?
Do you mean the semi-flexible pipe running from the shock to the valve? - Thats a single part and available from Tradition.
Do you mean the semi-flexible pipe that connects to the pipe mentioned above and the valve? - That pipe is part of the valve assembly and available from Tradition.
Do you mean the hard pipe that connects the valve to the pipes going to the front of the car? - That pipe is part of the valve assembly and available from Tradition.
Or do you mean the hard pipe that runs from the pipe mentioned above to the hardline running the length of the car to the front flexi pipe? - That is 2 parts
(come as package) and available from Tradition
So basically, everything is still available if you want it. I seem to remember that my DRC lines are of a larger diameter to my brake lines, so maybe the old style brake line from the 60's would work, or from goods vehicles. I know my dad had plenty of the big stuff lying around the workshop back-in-the-day but haven't seen it used in years and not the tools to work with it.
If you are in the UK and need stuff from Tradition I can help - I just ask for a few beers tokens in return
Regards
Craig
Re: DRC Steel line repair
Posted: Sun Feb 23, 2025 9:42 pm
by RS6+
A couple of days ago I noticed a few drops of oil on the garage floor. It seems to drip from the spare wheel well. I noticed som pipes up there but was not able to locate the source.
Thanks for the drawing, that will help me identify the diferent parts and hopefully the leak.
I've just been waiting for the DRC to fail on my car also, and was mentally prepared to change to coilovers.
However, as my car is also completely stock I would prefer to keep the DRC if possible.
Re: DRC Steel line repair
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2025 7:25 am
by TOPMAN
RS6+ wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 9:42 pm
A couple of days ago I noticed a few drops of oil on the garage floor. It seems to drip from the spare wheel well. I noticed som pipes up there but was not able to locate the source.
Thanks for the drawing, that will help me identify the diferent parts and hopefully the leak.
I've just been waiting for the DRC to fail on my car also, and was mentally prepared to change to coilovers.
However, as my car is also completely stock I would prefer to keep the DRC if possible.
Hi RS6+
You are welcome to those diagrams
I was in a
Facebook conversation recently where we were talking with a owner about keeping or not keeping the DRC suspension which had started to fail. I feel for a standard non-plus RS6 changing to coil-overs is a wise decision and adds value to the car. However, the PLUS holds it's value and if a potential seller can prove they have replaced parts as needed and maintained the system, then this could hold it's value better.
The good news for you is that all the critical components are still available new! There is a company in the UK selling 4 new shocks for £260 (crazy cheap price) and all the pipes and valves are available from Audi Tradition. It shows that you are located in Norway, so you should be able to purchase from Tradition, but if you a problem I can help and located in Finland.
Please let us know how your fault finding continues.
Regards
Craig Barlow
Re: DRC Steel line repair
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2025 9:29 am
by Felix2566
@RS6+ the 2 accumulators for the system are up infront of the wheel well, which I'm guessing is where your leak is.
I was under my car the other day and for some reason the DRC pipes are not well protected against corrosion. The brake and fuel lines all have some paint or covering on them.
Re: DRC Steel line repair
Posted: Mon Feb 24, 2025 9:29 pm
by RS6+
The leak is somewhere at the coupling between the pipe from the accumulator and the pipe to the front left damper (10 in the drawing). It is hard to see where the leak is. The pipe (10) is oily where it enter the coupling so it could be the pipe itself or the fittings. Hard to get access. Have to remove the LH side of the exhaust and heatshield to get access to further investigate.
I've attached a picture showing the coupling. Anyone who knows the purpose of the coupling between theese two pipes?
Measured the pipe and it is aproximately 6.5mm, which make me belive it is a 1/4" pipe. If that is correct and the fittings is of a standard type then it should be manageable to fix this.
Just have to read about draining and filling the DRC first. Found a good write up in here about it.
Re: DRC Steel line repair
Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2025 8:44 am
by scrappyloz
TOPMAN wrote: ↑Fri Feb 21, 2025 1:22 pm
Hi Scrappy
Which pipe is it that you need exactly?
Do you mean the semi-flexible pipe running from the shock to the valve? - Thats a single part and available from Tradition.
Do you mean the semi-flexible pipe that connects to the pipe mentioned above and the valve? - That pipe is part of the valve assembly and available from Tradition.
Do you mean the hard pipe that connects the valve to the pipes going to the front of the car? - That pipe is part of the valve assembly and available from Tradition.
Or do you mean the hard pipe that runs from the pipe mentioned above to the hardline running the length of the car to the front flexi pipe? - That is 2 parts
(come as package) and available from Tradition
So basically, everything is still available if you want it. I seem to remember that my DRC lines are of a larger diameter to my brake lines, so maybe the old style brake line from the 60's would work, or from goods vehicles. I know my dad had plenty of the big stuff lying around the workshop back-in-the-day but haven't seen it used in years and not the tools to work with it.
If you are in the UK and need stuff from Tradition I can help - I just ask for a few beers tokens in return
Regards
Craig
Hi Topman thanks for the reply. Its number 11 i need but seeing as you have to drop the rear subframe to replace it i may as well do 10 as well. They are discontinued by Audi in the UK
Where is Tradition are they based in Finland like you?
cheers
Re: DRC Steel line repair
Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2025 11:29 pm
by RS6+
Re: DRC Steel line repair
Posted: Wed Feb 26, 2025 12:00 am
by RS6+
Scrappyloz,
you mention there is worn a hole in the no. 11 pipe. If the rest of the pipe is ok, and the pipe where the hole is, are accessible a solution is to cut the pipe there and insert a 1/4" union fitting with compression rings. Alternatively a flare union, but that need more space to be able to flare the pipe.
This would save you a lot of work if the rear subframe has to be dropped to replace it.
I haven't been able to locate the leak on my car yet, but if it turn out to be the no. 10 pipe from the quick connector I will definetly try to insert a union and a new piece of pipe.