Lowering a B5 A4

MrJoshua

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Lowering a B5 A4

« on: December 31, 2007, 04:53:50 PM »

I was under my car today sorting a brake fluid leak from the rear caliper when I started thinking about the technicalities of lowering a B5 A4...

The rear looks like a piece of cake... One bolt at the top and one at the bottom or something.

The front initially looks like a nightmare, but after studying it for a while, it looks like there's one bolt at the bottom, and about three at the top. I don't think any of the control arms need removing to replace the strut... Has anyone done one of these (2WD) and can it be done on a drive, or does it need to be up in the air?

Thanks in advance!

(Yeah, it's NYE and I'm in bed posting about cars!)


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prizice

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Re: Lowering a B5 A4

« Reply #1 on: December 31, 2007, 08:19:20 PM »

My car came lowered, so I don't know about taking the struts on and off

However, from the stuff I have done, the suspension isn't too terrible difficult to work on..... a little harder than the stamped steel VW single control arms. It's nothing that a well thought tap with a steel punch here or there doesn't help you get things apart. It took me less than an hour to take out the bearing housing on the first side, and then 20-30 minutes for the other and for re-assembly.

(Yeah, it's NYE and I'm going all out..... later..... just killing time talkin shop)


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MrJoshua

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Re: Lowering a B5 A4

« Reply #2 on: January 01, 2008, 12:52:24 AM »

Sweet, thanks dude!

I also found this site later on last night which is pretty much a step-by-step guide:

http://www.audiworld.com/tech/wheel28.shtml


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pschmidt

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Re: Lowering a B5 A4

« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2008, 03:48:50 PM »

Start soaking the bolt that retains the upper control arms in penetrating fluid now. They are notorious for snapping off and forcing you to replace the entire upright.

I snapped one of mine off and spent days trying to salvage it. I eventually gave up to the tune of $400+. I'd suggest swinging the suspension out of the way from the bottom and leaving the upper control arms in place. I'm not sure how much salt they use on the road over there which greatly influences the condition of the parts...


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MrJoshua

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Re: Lowering a B5 A4

« Reply #4 on: January 05, 2008, 01:17:50 PM »

Someone else on another forum mentioned applying penetrating fluid for weeks prior to the operation.

They go crazy with the salt over here at this time of year, so my car will have seen 9 winters and will probably be pretty seized.

Thanks!


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MrJoshua

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Re: Lowering a B5 A4

« Reply #5 on: May 03, 2008, 10:48:40 PM »

Ordered some coilovers from Germany yesterday!

Found this photo on the intertubes which inspired me:


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MrJoshua

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Re: Lowering a B5 A4

« Reply #6 on: May 29, 2008, 12:06:11 PM »

So, I ordered them on the 3rd May and they arrived today.

Better late than never I suppose.

Anyway, getting them fitted tomorrow.

The dude who's car is pictured above reckons the fender lip is 24" above ground at the front, and 24.5" at the back... So I'm going to try that!


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Staggerlee

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Re: Lowering a B5 A4

« Reply #7 on: May 29, 2008, 01:33:34 PM »

I think I set mine at 25.5" all the way around.


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VEExDUB

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Re: Lowering a B5 A4

« Reply #8 on: May 29, 2008, 05:02:04 PM »

h&r's are going on mine saturday.


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parasight

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Re: Lowering a B5 A4

« Reply #9 on: May 31, 2008, 04:59:26 PM »

I'm still at factory ride height due to off-road duties. wave


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MrJoshua

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Re: Lowering a B5 A4

« Reply #10 on: May 31, 2008, 07:02:12 PM »

Yay, I had it done yesterday/today/what fucking time is it? Well, I had them done on Saturday.

Pics to come.

They didn't get the height at the front right, needs another inch, so they told me to bring it back next weekend, but it's 25" at the front and 24.25" at the back.

I can't believe it really, but they feel about the same as my H&R's did on the Polo and Fabia.

Fucking thing handles so much better now too, and not actually all that much harsher ride than the OE suspension setup on mine.

Love it!


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MrJoshua

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Re: Lowering a B5 A4

« Reply #11 on: June 01, 2008, 08:51:31 AM »

Couple of photos here:

http://www.dubsquad.org/component/option,com_smf/Itemid,42/topic,2130.msg62820#msg62820


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