suspension problem

Post by **sash** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 11:20 am

Hi Guys,
Looking for some pointers. I recently had an accident in the S4. Front passenger wheel hit a curb at about 30mph. Anyway car is back from bodyshop and while it was being fixed i had some rs4 suspension put on.

Now I have the car back i noticed that the passenger side wheel is closer to the wheel arch by about 5-10mm than the otherside. This is the wheel that hit the curb. Anyway this wheel is always rubbing again the wheel arch when i brake hard or turn fast.

I told people who fixed the car and they said that it must be the second hand springs and dampers that are causing the problem. I am 99.9% sure that the springs and dampers have nothing to do with it.

A Friend suggested putting some washers above the dampers to push the damper and whole wheel down a few mill. Is it as easy as this?

What could be causing this if there are no problems with the springs/dampers etc?

Post by **DaveP** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 11:25 am

Don't think I'd be too keen on adding washers to fix it...even if you do manage to get the height right, I'd imagine the car would feel kinda strange with the two front suspension units being set up differently.

Sounds like you maybe bent one of the suspension arms or something?? - I'd take the front wheels off and have a good look/measure.

Post by **sash** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 11:34 am

Are suspension arms easy to replace or is this a big labour intensive job?

Im in a bit of a dilema. If the cost is going to be a lot then i will have to take it back to the bodyshop and force them to repair it as it should have been done (insurance job). The thing is do i want them fiddling with my suspension after they told me the problem was with my springs/ dampers.

The idea of the washers was to push the whole mounting down a few mill so theoretically the springs and dampers are actually at the same height on both sides of the car.

Post by **wazza** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 11:56 am

I've just had the upper suspension arms changed on the nearside of my S4.
That and a 4 wheel alignment was £326

Post by **SimonS4MTM** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 12:07 pm

Your new suspension could be causing it. Ride height is controlled by the spring and damper assembly. If the spring on that side has had a fair bit of use it could be lowering the ride height on that side.

It may also be caused by something else, like bent suspension following hitting the kerb.

The only way to find out is as Dave suggests, remove the wheel and take measurements to compare both sides of the car. Also take measurements with the wheel still attached and sitting on the ground.

Post by **sash** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 12:55 pm

Simon, it may well be the suspension. I bought it second hand from JohnH from this forum who said he had only done 1000 miles on it. It may well have done more and tbh i dont know how JohnH drives or if he tracked it a lot?
I've got the car booked into AMD tomorrow so i'll see what they say. Fingers crossed its nothing major. Ive been driving miss daisy ever since i picked the car up from the mechanics cos of this problem, cant wait for it to be sorted.

Post by **sash** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 1:08 pm

PS Simon, how do you find the H&Rs, is it the coilover setup?

Whats the ride like?

After changing the suspension from s4 to RS4 i must say that it is less boat like but it still dives alot. I still dont think the RS4 suspension is the best setup for this car.

Post by **SimonS4MTM** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 3:06 pm

I have only had the car since last Saturday so I cant really comment on it as yet. There are a few other people here who have the same set up, so I am sure that they can advise you further on it.

Good luck at AMD tomorrow. I may call in there tomorrow to speak to them about a few other things because i will be passing that way. May see your car there!

Post by **sash** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 3:51 pm

Thanks Simon, might see you tomorrow then. Ill be the guy in the Silver S4 that leans to the side

Post by **DavidT** » Thu Apr 01, 2004 4:48 pm

This is the height from wheel rim to the wheel arch edge at it's heighest point, not th wheel edge to the wheel arch edge at its rearmost point, right ?

I have noticed that my H&R (and previously the standard) suspension does settle at different heights by 5-10 mm, depending on how I park.

It may just be one of those things.

If you get a four wheel alignment and wheel weighting done at AmD, you will know for sure if there is an issue with it.

Post by **sash** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 6:50 pm

turns out i got a bent front suspension from the accident, AMD reckon its a £1000 repair

Post by **DaveP** » Sat Apr 03, 2004 10:30 pm

Aye, thought it might be....at least it should be covered by the insurance ! - worrying that the bodyshop didn't notice it whilst they were putting the suspension on !

Post by **sash** » Sun Apr 04, 2004 12:10 pm

my thoughts exactly re the bodyshop.
Spoke to them yesterday and to thier credit they said that if there is a problem that they would sort it out for free.
The owner of the garage assured me that his mechanics changed the arms and replaced the bushes etc on that side (well thats what they told him) so they he cant see how its a bent arm. He still thinks its the rs4 springs i bought 2nd hand that are causing the prob so he said he will swap them round and see if it causes the leaning effect on the otherside. If it does then he said that he would replace the springs if not he will look at the arms, either way it looks like i dont have to incurr any cost, so not a bad outcome. Lucky this guy is a friend of the fam.

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