Coilover Install - Hardware Needed?

[GRUMPY-S4]

How probable is it that the stretch bolts can be reused?

[SteveYem]

How probable is it that the stretch bolts can be reused?

I reused mine. It's not "kosher", but it seems to have worked. I checked a few random bolts after having the coilovers installed for about a year and nothing was loose.....again, not a very rigorous approach, but I'm fine with it.

If you think you will have even a shred of doubt about it, spend the money up front on replacement hardware.

[GRUMPY-S4]

What would "Kosher" be for you? Where you not able to get the right torque on them afterwards?

[SteveYem]

What would "Kosher" be for you? Where you not able to get the right torque on them afterwards?

Kosher would be following the recommendations to replace all removed stretch bolts since technically they were plastically deformed upon initial installation and therefore are one-time use. Once a material gets past its permanent, or plastic, deformation point, it is closer to yielding. Tightening a pre-stretched bolt to its original torque spec would lead to further deformation and weakening of the bolt. On the other hand, using a lower torque spec might not achieve enough tightening torque and could lead to loosening of the bolt over time.

I hate to say it, but on both sets of coilovers I have installed I followed the Gudenteit method and have not had any problems, knock on wood.

[infinkc]

the only bolt i would not reuse is the top pinch bolt, its the only one i ever have problems with either stripping or feeling like it wants to snap when re tightening.

[Rocket Tech]

Planning to do mine tomorrow and I'm going with factory spec value but not adding the additional turn past torque. I'm also planning to use blue loctite to help keep it together. Seems this is the approach many have followed. I'm also doing sways and end links at the same time and picked up the EC hardware kit so whatever those include will be getting fresh bolts.

With all other suspensions I've worked on I just did factory torque spec but none of those were torque to yield type fasteners, this Audi is the first for me.

[jran76]

I put this hardware list together to cover all of the basic hardware that is used when installing front control arms or coilovers (or shocks and springs). ECS sells a basic front and rear kit, but it also includes the mounts which aren't really needed on a newer car. ECS or the dealer usually stocks most of these parts. As always, you should verify that this is what your car actually has. At least one of these parts varies by year (noted below). Items with ** should be replaced when installing new components (stretch bolts or lock nuts). If you find any mistakes or issues, let me know, and I'll update.

FRONT
Top nut- shock: N10106402 (1 per side- mounts shock to upper mount- should be included with new shocks or coilovers)
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Upper mount bolts: N91152301 (4 per side- mounts upper mount to car)
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Upper control arm bolts: N10425302 (2 per side- mounts upper control arm to upper mount)
Upper control arm nuts: N10286110 (2 per side- mounts upper control arm to upper mount)
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Upper control arm spindle bolts: N10491802 (1 per side- mounts upper control arms to spindle- up to 6/2011)
N10770901 (1 per side- mounts upper control arm to spindle- from 6/2011)
Upper control arm spindle nuts: N10272302 (1 per side- mounts upper control arm to spindle)
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Lower shock bolts: N90954802 (1 per side- mounts shock to lower mount)**
Lower shock nuts: N10106402 (1 per side- mounts shock to lower mount)**
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Lower mount bolts: N10241202 (1 per side- mounts lower mount to lower control arm)**
Lower mount nuts: N10106402 (1 per side- mounts lower mount to lower control arm)**

REAR
Top nut- shock: N10286110 (1 per side- mounts shock to upper mount- should be included with new shocks or coilovers)
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Upper mount bolts: N91066101 (2 per side- mounts upper mount to car)
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Bottom shock bolts: N10500802 (1 per side- mounts shock to arm)**
Bottom shock washer: WHT002389 (1 per side- mounts shock to arm)**

[Danny2323]

I put this hardware list together to cover all of the basic hardware...

Wow, very helpful. Thanks!