Broken rear spring replacement, some questions.

[MattShaw]

I've got a broken near side rear spring, lost of couple of inches from the lower end. This one is been replaced under warranty by Audi but I am wondering if I should change the far side one too ?

08/2007 RS4 with 33K miles. Normal SS.

How much would a spring cost, and where is the best place to get one ?

Is it something that my local (non audi) garage could do, or even DIY ?

What is the correct part number for this, and do I need to replace anything else at the same time ?

Thanks
Matthew

[pippyrips]

You need a 'special' tool to repressurise the DRC system, not sure if anyone outside of Audi have this.

I'd be tempted to Strike a deal and get H&R springs fitted all round (assuming you haven't got SS+?) I know of at least one main dealer that would do this.

[no_RS]

Honest John in the Telegraph has been banging on about problems with car springs for ages. Due to way the ends aren't finished off properly they corrode and eventually break usually with a little help from a speed bump.

[MattShaw]

You need a 'special' tool to repressurise the DRC system, not sure if anyone outside of Audi have this.

Do you need to repressurise the DRC when just changing a rear spring ?

Can't you "just" take the old sping out and put a new one in without touching the shock ?

[pippyrips]

You need a 'special' tool to repressurise the DRC system, not sure if anyone outside of Audi have this.

Do you need to repressurise the DRC when just changing a rear spring ?

Can't you "just" take the old sping out and put a new one in without touching the shock ?

I was using Jimbo's previous experience as a guide but the more I think about it i think he had a dodgy shock, not spring so am not sure either way!

['R'e'S'pect_4]

i would say the whole strut still needs to come off as any car would, thus this would involve disconnecting the DRC tube.

[ArthurPE]

the rears can be replaced without depressurizing the DRC
iirc you drop the rear diff carrier, actually loosen it and lower it

obviously the fronts require the hoses to be diconnected since the strut is inside the spring....or do they?
maybe you can diassemble everything with the hose connected?
compress the spring and remove the hat (strut bearing)
put the new one on compressed, reinstalled hat, and reassemble?

has anyone tried, might be too tight and a real pita, lol

[sonny]

How the hell did the spring break?..pot hole??

[caldy]

Arthur is right again - the rear spring is independent of the shocker. Simply loosen the rear frame so that it drops down and you can wangle the spring out. Very easy diy job, with a ramp!

[MattShaw]

How the hell did the spring break?..pot hole??

Not sure, probably a pot hole that finally finished it off.

Noticed a metallic rattle from that corner. Thought it was the tool kit to start with, but had the wheels off for cleaning and noticed a 2-3 inch piece of spring sat inside the rest of the spring.

[MattShaw]

Very easy diy job, with a ramp!

Thanks for the info, sounds like it is worth getting a new spring and at the very least having my local garage replace it rather than Audi. Might even have a look at doing it myself.