DRC pipework

[irn_bru_ce]

So the cluning sounds would indicate my DRC is on its way out, at the MOT the guy said the pipework was very corroded, so guessing there is a leak somwhere.

Has anybody replaced the pipes themselves, or know if its even possible to run copper brake pipe in, I've replumbed previous cars and have the sykes pickavant flaring tools, but does DRC even use standard tube flares for the fittings?

Failing that, has anybody ever had a quote for audi to replumb the DRC pipes

I'll probably just end up reoving the lot, but the dampers are the recall replacement V3 jobbies courtesy of audi and are only 5 years old having only covered 28k since then, be a shame to bin the working bits just cos of corroded pipes

[Audi Pardner]

Lightly corroded rear pipes were advisories on the MoT certificate for mine in 2015 when it was tested at the stealers (though not this year ). From memory they quoted about £1200 to replace them (it's a tank out job apparently). Unit 20 quoted £6-£700. Bit far from Aberdeen I know, but I'm sure there'd be a specialist in Scotland who could help you out. Personally I'd deffo stick with the OEM set up.

Don't know if it's DIY-able though.

Good luck.

[cherub72]

My DRC has just gone pop for the 3rd time. Seems that the underside of the car has a lot of corrosion and one the pipes that go over the fuel tank has given up. I'm waiting on a price to come back from the local specialist as I've asked them to do both pipes on the basis that a second pipe now is going to be cheaper than doing the whole thing again in a couple of years.
It's going to be an expensive December as it's in for a service, a replacement drivers door lock mechanism ( only opens with the key ), temp gauge and warning speaker repair which is a cluster out job and off to a specialist, and finally the DRC work. Oh and it's Christmas.

Got some pictures just come through of the pipes

Looking corroded

[irn_bru_ce]

I was under the car today, the pipework coming from the hoses are all corroded, as are the fittings on the ends of the hoses, just big knots of corrosion, so would need new hoses and pipework all round

I'd be happy to pay £700 if I knew the work was going to remove all the iron parts of the system, ie copper pipes and stainless fittings.

I can never understand why manafacturers are still allowed to use steel pipes on a safety critical component of the car, especially on the salty roads of UK

[cherub72]

I just heard back from the garage, the 2 pipes that go from front to rear are £240 each plus one of the shocks is leaking and needs replacing. Factoring in labour and refilling the system is looking around the £2k mark. I'd better start working on the boss for my Christmas bonus

[Starry]

Mines got the 3rd gen shocks and my shock is now leaking so I've decided the whole system is just a ticking time bomb. I love the way it rides but was never happy with the hight of the front compared to the back so have just bought coilovers.

[Dolphie]

I had all my drc pipework replaced by Unit 20 about 2 years ago.

Audi quoted 35 hours!!!!

Unit 20 needed about 11 hours and know what they are doing. I seem to remember the pipes came to about £700 in total. You also need to re pressurise the DRC which Unit 20 can do.

It's a big job. The rear axle, prop shaft, exhaust and fuel tank need to be removed. I decided I wanted to stick with DRC so went ahead.

[Ranger Rico]

Irn bru,
Wont you have to replace your shocks too?
I took mine to north east motors in newmachar after my drc went, my pipes were also corroded, the bill was gonna be anything up to 6k so i opted for bilsteins, hardly notice the difference tbh, they are maybe a bit harsher on poor road surfaces, was 1500ish for the bilsteins fitted.

[cherub72]

I've just got my car back from the specialist. Seems that there was a lot of corrosion on not only the pipes that run front to back but also the ones up above the fuel tank. It's a massive job to do, pretty much the entire rear of the car had to come off. They even took a few pictures to show how much of a mammoth task it was


Also, had a service, drivers door lock assembly replaced and instrument cluster repaired so that's me out of cash for a while, which is a shame as I wanted to get the alloys done by Pristine just after Christmas.

[Covkiller]

Wow big job. I'd get all the bits steam cleaned before re-attaching.

[cherub72]

I needed the car back, something going on this weekend I'm told by the other half

[a1topdog]

Apologies for the old thread revival, but does anyone know if the front to back drc pipes come already bent to shape when purchased from Audi?

[Pistolpete2543]

Yes they are fully formed & about £950 for all 4.

[dhali]

could you not have them custom made/or make them cheaper out of better material ( braided/ kunifer ) ? Or are the end fittings unique ?

[coffey555]

If you had time you could make up stainless steel pipes (using the old ones as a guide) and then source the correct fittings for them. They would then outlast the car.