Half installed '02 sport suspension today. *UPDATE*

[A4 KiDD 810]

Brought the car down to my dads repair shop, and got all the shocks installed, and the front springs, but they didnt have a spring compressor to do the rear springs, so now i need to find a place that has one . They said the part number for the compressor is VAG 1752/16 or just 1752 ? idk i'll just call some people and see who has one.

Anyway, i'm looking for my damn camera right now to take pics, so i'll put them up once i find it. The ride feels better though on the front.

Edit: found the camera:
Got 2 fingers on the front wheel and the back basically looks stock still... in person I can tell the front is a little lower and I can feel it when i drive. Just gotta get the back done now.

[actlsub9]

Spring compressors are not necessary for installing the rear springs.

[Dolphin18T]

But you can get them from Autozone. They rent them.

[A4 KiDD 810]

Ohh the mechanics were probably too lazy to put them on then....damn. Owell idk what to do now.

[Dolphin18T]

Ohh the mechanics were probably too lazy to put them on then....damn. Owell idk what to do now.

Just drop the subframe in the rear and use a prybar to get those suckers out of there. I actually used a crescent wrench on them. I placed the open end on the lowest coil of the spring and used it as a lever to step on. The springs popped right out.

[Elliott]

Spring compressors are not necessary for installing the rear springs.

X2. They make the job much easier though.

[A4 KiDD 810]

Just drop the subframe in the rear and use a prybar to get those suckers out of there. I actually used a crescent wrench on them. I placed the open end on the lowest coil of the spring and used it as a lever to step on. The springs popped right out.

I would but im not a mechanic and i have no tools so I need somewhere to bring it, i'll ask some local gas stations maybe they can do it.

[pondside36]

Were they doing them on a lift? They should be easy enough to pry out while pulling down on the hub. Either way, at least you are half way there.

[A4 KiDD 810]

Yea the car was on a lift

[zz2h33]

is this a DIY job? Is alignment needed after?

[actlsub9]

is this a DIY job? Is alignment needed after?

Alignment after changing suspension is recommended.

[zz2h33]

^kinda figured that but is the swap a DIY? I have air tools.

[A4 KiDD 810]

They didnt do an alignment since the job wasnt completed, although they were going to since they thought the whole thing would be done. To be honest though, I drove it home and it didnt need an alignment so I am questioning whether I will get one in the end.

[actlsub9]

^kinda figured that but is the swap a DIY? I have air tools.

Yes, with air tools you should be all set to go

[pondside36]

I haven't had mine aligned yet after my coilover install. Just keep an eye on your tire wear, if it seems to get uneven you should get it done if you decide to hold off.

[A4 KiDD 810]

Just called my local autozone and the guy said they dont rent them... something tells me i should try a different store though.

[actlsub9]

X2. They make the job much easier though.

Depends on which springs and which spring compressor you have. Sometimes its easier with a compressor, sometimes by dropping the subframe. My hyperco springs actually slip right out without a compressor or dropping the subframe.

[Elliott]

Depends on which springs and which spring compressor you have. Sometimes its easier with a compressor, sometimes by dropping the subframe. My hyperco springs actually slip right out without a compressor or dropping the subframe.

But when you've got this and air tools... it doesn't get much quicker.

[A4 KiDD 810]

Yup need the compressor and a retainer for the springs, apparently they couldnt squeeze the springs together enough to make them fit.

[Kerschera4]

i used a combo of spring compressors and dropping the subframe to do the rears. it was pretty easy as Dolphin18T said.

zz2- its a pretty easy DIY job, especially if you have the tools

and yes, i would recommend getting an alignment done

A4KiDD- wait like 2 days for your suspension to settle and then post up your ground to fender height. im not convinced that 02 suspension is really any lower than normal sport. i think it just may be forum hearsay

[04A41.8TCVT]

To me the front ones were the most difficult due to the lower control arm bolts but the rears were a piece of cake.

[doublezero30]

Just drop the subframe in the rear and use a prybar to get those suckers out of there. I actually used a crescent wrench on them. I placed the open end on the lowest coil of the spring and used it as a lever to step on. The springs popped right out.

what he said. i used the crappy $50 spring compressors i got from sears a couple years ago(same thing you can get from autozone). one of my rear camber bolts wouldnt come out though so i ended up having a friend stand on the hub, put a tow strap around the spring, and yanked that son of a bitch out. lol, complete hack but i got it.

[absolutegtr]

I would 100% get an alignment.

I just got an alignment like 2 weeks ago, and am installing my H&R springs this Saturday and will get another alignment! (Its nice to have friends who can do it for free

[JerseyShoreA4]

Glad to see you got around to the suspension Nick. Give it time and the car will settle down a bit and have a little less gap. My spring compressor cost me 50 bux. I went to a place that rented them for a 50 dollar deposit but were all out. They had one set for sale so I said fug it and bought my own. I've lowered quite a few cars without the compressors. It can be done but the compressor saves a lot of time, sweat, and busted knuckles from trying to force shit.

[Exanimas]

what he said. i used the crappy $50 spring compressors i got from sears a couple years ago(same thing you can get from autozone). one of my rear camber bolts wouldnt come out though so i ended up having a friend stand on the hub, put a tow strap around the spring, and yanked that son of a bitch out. lol, complete hack but i got it.

At least you didn't have to use vaseline to get it out.

[A4 KiDD 810]

Hey guys just a little update.... its 1:30 AM and just got home from a night of movies and hangin out with friends (Saw Pineapple Express, it was OK, funny probly 60% of the time, and funnier how they made a whole movie about marijuanna lol) well anyway, the suspension has DEFINITELY settled ALOT more, the rear is even settled alot with only the sport shocks on. I saw a couple A4's parked at the movie theater with what was obviously the 02 sport suspension(they were stock otherwise), and so I got a good idea of how much more i have to go, but so far a nice noticable difference, alot more from teh above pics. And to be honest, the reverse rake on the A4s I saw really wasnt THAT bad or noticable, so i think i'll really be happy with the way it settles once i get those back springs on. Got a little more to go on the rears and maybe even a little less on the front.

I'm just gonna find a gas station with the compressors, and it should be 2 hours of labor MAX and then i'll be good. But thanks for all the replies. And all you that used to make fun of me for 4x4 status.... HA I finally did it so shut up. hahaha. Im gonna go to sleep now so i'll talk to ya around the forums...later.

I'll put up new pics tomorrow to show the difference in how much it's settled. Its obviously noticable especially over the pics above which were too soon after install - basically stock.

[HOFFY11]

holy dune buggy =O

[AudiA4_20T]

Alignment after changing suspension is recommended.

Only if your a Proper Peter like you Greg , I havent gotten an alignment in a year or two, and my good tires and 32mpg dont bother me too much

[actlsub9]

Only if your a Proper Peter like you Greg , I havent gotten an alignment in a year or two, and my good tires and 32mpg dont bother me too much

I cant help it

[A4 KiDD 810]

Well I went to a gas station today, the guy had 1 spring compressor, but he told me "2 hours per side" and i said "what? what for, its just springs..." then he said " ohh we gotta take off the wheels, take off the control arm, disassemble this and that..." right away i knew i wasnt going there. All that has to be done is take out the old spring, and compress the new one and place it in. How hard is that, jesus. Well i'll be contacting some connects now who are audi mechanics i know personally to do the work.

[absolutegtr]

Wait

How did you get the springs installed on the front without a spring compressor?

[zz2h33]

any of you guys who bought a spring compressor and its probably now collecting dust want to loan it out?

[Kerschera4]

why dont you go to a place like advanced auto parts. you pay a deposit for a few days, use them and get your money back. def makes the process easier and a pretty easy diy

[nikkobdenis]

I just loosened the 4 subframe bolts and used a pry bar to take the springs out. Took me like 20 mins max to do the rears. Dont waste your time driving around to find a spring compressor.

[A4 KiDD 810]

cool, i think i know what i'm gonna do now. thanks for the help

[zz2h33]

are quattro springs/shocks different from non-quattro?

[Grenade]

I just loosened the 4 subframe bolts and used a pry bar to take the springs out. Took me like 20 mins max to do the rears. Dont waste your time driving around to find a spring compressor.

The rear subframe can be dropped on each side to get the springs out, you can even stand on the rotor/control arm to get more leverage. Follow Captn. Ovbious' DIY and your set. Its not hard to do the rear's at all, 30 minutes tops.