H&R Spring Ride Height problem and Spacers

[Driver32503]

Hey all,

I've been sneaking around here for about 6 months, bought my RS in December from dealer auction for $45,000 with 15,000 miles - with H&R springs and ARB's installed from the previous owner.

Since the beginning I noticed that my front rides higher than the back, and also that the front left side sits a bit lower than the front right. My front left also would scrape against the fender on big bumps and hard cornering. I think my shocks were faulty, and alowed the wheel to travel further.

I had the DRC problem, just got all four shocks replaced and repressurized at the dealer under warranty (even with the springs). It seems to have helped the ride height problem, but my car still seems less level than the pictures I have seen of other RS's with the H&R springs. However, the ride is now 200% better than it was, no clunking, and steering feels much more direct.

After hearing and seeing a few cars in here and AW and AZ and VWV, I would like to order H&R spacers (8mm front, 10mm rear), but I hear there are issues with ordering the wrong ones. Can someone tell me precisely which part numbers are the rigth ones to get?

Also, with what I said about my ride height, can other H&R users say whether they know what I'm talking talking about or not? I know a picture would be much easier. A very respected dealer reinstalled the whole suspension with the DRC work, so I trust that they did it correctly. If I think it's still broken, I would hold off on the spacers. I'll try to get a picture.

Thanks! -Adam

[rAudiguy]

Hi Adam,

I'm running the H&R springs and spacers with no problems at all. I spoke in depth with H&R about the springs and you can sometimes find that they don't all sit at the same height and can be a few mm out from one side to the next. Unfortunately it would seem there isn't much you can do about this and it's the luck of the draw. I have been lucky in so much as my car seems to be sitting fairly even. I do have a 1 or 2mm difference on the fronts but not noticeable enough to worry about. With regards to spacers, I'm running 10's on the back and 8's on the front. if I’m honest I would probably go for 6's on the front as the 8 just pushes the wheel proud of the arch by 1 or 2 mm. 10's on the back though are perfect and look fab.

Part numbers are as follows

10mm 202555713
8mm 162555713

I hope that helps and good luck.

cheeRS

Jim

[Driver32503]

Thanks Jim,

I've been checking you car out a lot.

I assume that since the dealer put everything back together, what I am dealing with is purely a cosmetic problem, especially if H&R was ok with selling it. But I'm still not happy. People have been pointing it out without me even telling them about the problem.

Also, right after I picked up the car when the shocks were replaced, they said the car "seemed" more level than it had before, but I think it's no different. I don't think they can do anything more about it though.

I'm really annoyed that the first owner of the car put springs on the car instead of coilovers. At least he put the ARB's in.

Also, I am getting the noise again. When I come to a god sided dip in the road, nothing uncomfortable, I can hear the left front tire come up, and scrape against the fender (not sure if it is just hitting the clip or the actual liner). It was worse before they fixed the DRC, but I can still hear it. 1) I'm worried my shocks are still crap, and 2) I shouldn't get spacers becuase it would just make it worse. Does anyone else get that noise? If no one else does, even on your smooth Euro roads, I think I have a legitimate problem.

Damnit I just want coilovers, and the ability to just have peace of mind.

[rAudiguy]

It sounds like you have still got a DRC issue to me. I really don't think putting coilovers on will help the ride. IMO the H&R springs with the DRC when working is the best combo of ride comfort and good handling.

Where in the country are you happy to meet up and compare?

As said running springs and the spacers and no matter how hard I push the car I can't make it rub.

[Driver32503]

I literally picked up my car from the dealer five hours ago haha!

Here are the part numbers they installed:

8E0-512-019-E GASSHOCKAB
8E0-512-020-E GASSHOCKAB
8E0-412-019-B SHOCKABSOR
8E0-412-020-B SHOCKABSOR

2x 4F0-412-137 BOOT
2x G-052-731-A2 HYDR. OIL
2x 8D0-412-131-H SPRING
2x 4B3-412-127-A CAP

Are those the right parts? This dealer says they have done plenty of RS6 DRC repairs, and a few RS4. I just called H&R and they confirmed the part numbers I have, and said there is no way the tires are rubbing. However, I am running All Season tires (Don't ask, previous owner) and it is possible they have a larger overall diameter, but I can't imagine the tolerance is that tight.

And unfortunately, I am in the USA. Still trying to get pictures.

[Driver32503]

UPDATE:

I just spoke with Jon at H&R USA again and he had me check if my springs hada white "paintbrush" mark near the part number, and with th ecar on the ground I don't see it. He says that if thats the case, then the springs arent right. Even though the parts numbers are right, he says that if they don't have the white mark, it might as well just be A4 springs - which sounds messed up enough to cause ALL SORTS of issues! WIll jack up the car later and find out for sure, but this SUCKS!

[ArthurPE]

I'm in PA also...what dealer? sounds like a good one if he didn't hassle you over the springs..
I'm near Pittsburgh

[Driver32503]

Hey Arthur!

I am in the Lehigh Valley, so opposite end. The dealer I went to was in New Jersey anyway.

Another Update!

I jacked the car up, took plenty of pictures to go up tomorrow, but I DO NOT have the white marks on the springs. Which means that to my knowledge from H&R, I have the wrong springs on the front of the car. All the cars weigh different in the front I guess, so the fronts for all the B7's need to be different spring rates. Which could be why 1) the front of the car sits so high, and 2) the LF wheel rubs against the fender clip (going straight and bumpy).

However, I am confused. Assuming that the RS4 front is heavier than a A4 front (maybe it isn't b/c of the light engine and the aluminum), then in order to get a lower ride height, I would need a softer spring. But to keep the LF from hitting the fender clip, I would need a harder spring. So I'm not sure if changing to the RIGHT springs would fix my problem.

But there is still the issue of rubbing on the fender clip. To my knowledge, the spring/shock SHOULD NOT be changing the path of travel of the wheel. So my LF wheel, without springs or shocks, should still hit the fender clip as it is now, since I am running 255/35-19 and no spacers. This makes me think that there is something much more serious at work here, possibly a bent suspension connection, although the alignment LOOKS alright, and the two front wheels look identical when viewed from dead ahead.

The right front wheel never rubs. The fender clip on that side is dry and clean, while the LF fender clip is gummy with rubber. What are the possible options to fix this?

The more opinions, the better. I am bringing the car back to the dealer on Monday to check the alignment.

Pictures in the morning!

EDIT:

Jim, and anyone else with correct H&R springs. Can you get me a picture of your springs installed? Maybe you have the white marks. I was told that if you can read the part number, you should have no problem seeing the white mark. Thanks!

___________________________

In other words, how can these springs be right.

A4 springs lower 3" with less weight
RS4 springs lower .06" with more weight

A4 springs on RS4 will lower MORE THAN .06", but my ride height is abnormally high. Switching to RS4 springs should make the front even higher, no?

If the A4 is heavier than the RS4, then the need to drop 3" instead of 0.6" should still result in A4 springs making the ride height lower. I hope you are all following my logic!

Sorry for the double post, just trying to tihnk my way through this issue.

[rAudiguy]

Don't have any pictures of the springs them selves but could jack her up over the weekend and have a look but do recall them having white bands on them from memory.

here is a picture of how the car sits though on them.

[Driver32503]

Front Right







Front Left






Ride Height

[rAudiguy]

Hmmmmmm,

can't see how you could be rubbing, your front is sitting a good 15 -20mm higher than mine. In fact the front almost looks stock if not SS+ Defiantly something not adding up..

Have you looked under your arches? in the middle of the arch is a plastic clip that holds the inner arch in place. this would be the first thing to rub if it was rubbing. if you have no marks on it then god knows. But I would be interested to know if you have been rubbing. mine are so stiff I can hardly move them if I push down on the wing, and I'm lower than yours judging from the pictures above.

keep us posted:thumbs:

Jim

[Driver32503]

Just sent the pictures to H&R, confirmed that they are the wrong springs.

When it does rub, it is definitely rubbing on the clip you mention. The LF one is gummy, the right one is clean.

I can even see the mark aroudn the tire where it scrapes. Yes it happens that often, and going straight!

John at H&R says the springs are unrelated to the rubbing, which I agree with. He thinks the bump stops were removed, but I don't know much on the subject.

Jim, I'd still really like to see your springs, so I can be more confident to switch the springs out, but I'm thrilled you can tell that something is definitely off.

But, I know, my rears are PERFECT!!!!!!!

[rAudiguy]

I will get some pictures of mine for you tomorrow mate

[ArthurPE]

the bump stops look like they are in place...the orange things on top