Spring Installation DIY

[jbradle7]

There have been quite a few postings concerning the subject of DIY spring installation so I thought I'd try to gather up what was helpful to me in one central location for future brave DIY'ers.

The below write-up by "rs4-380" (vwvortex) is well done and should give you a pretty good idea what you're in for:
http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?4331031

The below follow-up by "Spacecadet_CC " has some great information with more helpful photos and excerpts from "ItsDubC" and "tXfactor":
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...spring+install

More good photos and tips, from "CO AVANT":
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...ght=OE%20Sport

I used the above information to help me do my spring installation this past weekend and wanted to share some of my thoughts:
* This is not a job for the novice or faint-of-heart
* One person can do this job... I did the job myself but the next day I had bruises all over my arms from fighting with suspension components, so I recommend you enlist the help of a buddy if available
* Allow 6-8 hrs and take your time

-Front-
_Make sure to disconnect the brake/sensor lines from their brackets (multiple locations) to allow enough slack to accommodate the suspension drop
_My car had no level sensor (not sure what models the sensor applies to... ADS, auto-level headlights?)
_Two 16mm combo wrenches will be needed to remove swaybar endlinks but 5/8 standard will work just fine, if you already have them
_Two 18mm combo wrenches will come in handy when removing the lower strut extension/pinch bolt
_Removal of the lower strut extension is a real PITA but is a critical step if you intend to get the strut assembly out from underneath the wheel well without damaging other components (brake/sensor lines, paint work etc.) or scaring your neighbors with the ensuing foul language
_Don't forget to trim the bumpstops; your new springs should have information on the amount to remove (STaSIS Touring springs have 1/2" removed from the fronts)

-Rear-
_Recommend removing the shocks... gives you a few extra inches of subframe movement, which will allow easier removal of the springs
_While the shock is out, trim the bumpstops; your new springs should have information on the amount to remove (STaSIS Touring springs have 1" removed from the rears)
_Make sure to disconnect the brake/sensor lines from their brackets (multiple locations) to allow enough slack to accommodate the suspension drop
_My car had no level sensor (not sure what models the sensor applies to... ADS, auto-level headlights?)
_Compressing the rear springs for removal is very difficult as there is not much room to maneuver a spring compressor; I used cargo straps... this is dangerous so please be careful. Similar to this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fyU96hiI4E


Thanks to the other guys who have taken the time to provide their write-ups and helpful hints... it helped me a great deal!

[grnfool]

Thanks for pulling all the DIY's together!

If I new you were going to change out your springs, I would of offered to help.

[rs4-380]

ha, small world, came across this when searching for something else.

[jbradle7]

ha, small world, came across this when searching for something else.

I know... your DIY has been referenced in about a hundred posts here on AZ. I figured it was about time it got posted in an appropriately named thread here in the tech section for easier reference. Thanks for blazing the trail!

[jbradle7]

I've seen a few people asking about required tools; I did not write down what specific tools I used... I think a couple of the links I posted call out the different wrench/sockets sizes required.

Just going from memory, the tools I used:
-floor jack and stands
-3/8 and 1/2 drive torque wrenches (not require but highly advisable to achieve the proper torque specs on wheels, sub-frame bolts etc.)
-sockets (16mm-21mm)
-3/8 and 1/2 drive extensions (various lengths)
-wrenches (16mm-19mm)
-1/2 drive breaker bar (gives you leverage when removing high-torque nuts/bolts)
-torx bits for the rear underbody covers (don't remember size, T25 or T30?)
-mallet/hammer
-Audi spreader tool 3424 (for opening up strut extension)
-screwdrivers for removing various clips
-impact wrench, air compressor (not required but makes removing the 18mm nut on the top of the strut assy much easier) you could use an electric/battery-operated impact if you have one of those.
-shop light
-spring compressor (rented from Autozone $0)
-cargo straps (used to compress rear springs)

[Ijiin]

anyone have a idea on how much torque i need to tighten the nuts on the front shocks ? read over all the DYI's so far but no one has mentioned the amount used. just the fact that you have to be careful when you tighten them. i have the torque wrench in place and ready for the job.

[jbradle7]

STaSIS calls out 37ft-lbs
http://www.stasisengineering.com/sit...all%20ver3.pdf

Someone with a Bentley Manual may be willing to verify this though.

[Ijiin]

STaSIS calls out 37ft-lbs
http://www.stasisengineering.com/sit...all%20ver3.pdf

Someone with a Bentley Manual may be willing to verify this though.

makes it about 50Nm then :) cheers

[jhelome]

Just got my H&R OE Sport springs delivered yesterday called around at the various shops near me and looks like for install average is about $250. Would like to do the install myself but was wondering which was easier to install the front or the back? Also from what I have been reading getting the strut off od the front assembly seems to be a PITA... The method that spacecadet_CC has in his DIY (http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...spring+install) seems doable but I don't have an allen wrench that long? Are there any easier methods out there? Any SoCal AZ members willing to help me out with the install, or a garage I/We can use?

[wwhan]

Just got my H&R OE Sport springs delivered yesterday called around at the various shops near me and looks like for install average is about $250. Would like to do the install myself but was wondering which was easier to install the front or the back? Also from what I have been reading getting the strut off od the front assembly seems to be a PITA... The method that spacecadet_CC has in his DIY (http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...spring+install) seems doable but I don't have an allen wrench that long? Are there any easier methods out there? Any SoCal AZ members willing to help me out with the install, or a garage I/We can use?

If they know what there are doing (have done same type car before) & will do all four wheels for $250, that is a very good deal.

The rear is a lot easier than front.

On the allen wrench comment, are you referring to torqueing the damper upper bolt? I filed down a couple of short sockets and use a crows foot.

[jhelome]

If they know what there are doing (have done same type car before) & will do all four wheels for $250, that is a very good deal.

The rear is a lot easier than front.

On the allen wrench comment, are you referring to torqueing the damper upper bolt? I filed down a couple of short sockets and use a crows foot.

Niiice thanks for that info, you're from CA so am I are you by any chance near LA or Orange Coutnies? The shop that quoted me the $250 was a shop that was listed here in the SoCal regional forums...

[wwhan]

I am in Norcal Bay area, which is generally more expensive than SoCal.

[skycaptain96]

Hey!
Thanks for posting such detailed information on the changing of springs on an A4 B8.
My rear spring has just cracked leaving me with the problem of what to do. Your hard work has helped make up my mind - mechanic time!
Thank you!!!

G

[Brandonlorenz]

Been looking around to get my HR OE's installed but all the shops around here in WA are asking 600$ for just install. Might just give this a try.

[quicksilver_S]

Question about the rear spring removal... Do you only need to compress one side to get it out?
How about the reverse, the install of the HR springs, do you need to compress that spring as well to get it back in?

[sh!tmagnet]

Yea you can get away with doing only one side with spring compressor(I did), but for the love of God be careful. I take no responsibility for injury or death resulting from this information.

[quicksilver_S]

Yea you can get away with doing only one side with spring compressor(I did), but for the love of God be careful. I take no responsibility for injury or death resulting from this information.

Thanks for the response. That is what concerns me. How does Audi do their spring replacements? Im sure they have a much safer way of doing this over the one spring compressor on one side.

[sh!tmagnet]

Something like this.

[TraderGuy]

I managed to get two on with the inexpensive HF spring compressor. Tight but it worked. I was working on a lift so had pretty good access.