Quattro rear suspension durability question

[Schnauzerguy]

In 2011 as part of some other maintenance the mechanic noticed both rear springs were broken. Since it was already there I bit the bullet and said to replace them, in the process it was discovered that both upper mounts back plates were rusted through so I had them replace both of them. Fast forward to last week and I find the drivers rear spring is broken again. I ordered new springs and Bilstein struts. The broken side goes ok some rust on the upper mount but still whole.. The right strut mount (spring still intact I am replacing the strut and spring just because you should) has a 1 or so inch hole in the back plate near the top. Anyone else see this kind of early failure on genuine replacement parts, or am I just unlucky? The car is a 2001 2.8 30valve v6 Quattro.

[redline380]

Broken springs and rusted mounts is as common as it gets. For the springs, I would go aftermarket. Either get coilovers or lower springs and shocks.

For the mounts, not much you can do. Your mechanic may have used already used parts, which would describe why it hasn't lasted. A 1 inch hole isnt that big of a deal, but it will only get worse. Last time I replaced mine I sprayed them with rustoleum hoping to expand their longevity. Only time will tell.

[Schnauzerguy]

Broken springs and rusted mounts is as common as it gets. For the springs, I would go aftermarket. Either get coilovers or lower springs and shocks.

For the mounts, not much you can do. Your mechanic may have used already used parts, which would describe why it hasn't lasted. A 1 inch hole isnt that big of a deal, but it will only get worse. Last time I replaced mine I sprayed them with rustoleum hoping to expand their longevity. Only time will tell.

Thanks for the comment, I guess I expected similar life to the original springs at least, and the upper mounts were new Audi parts, they still had the stickers on them, and for the price they better have been new. I have a new Right mount on order and I did use after market springs this time but not lowering springs since I wasn't ready to change out the fronts ( car is probably going to a new owner in less than a year). The hole is probably not a big deal but since I found it and my daughter and wife are the primary drivers, I am working the "better safe than sorry" angle here. I am thinking about coating these with something to protect it.

[SteveAudi99]

Funny you say that you have broken springs. The PO of my car gave me his records and the rear springs were replaced within the last few years. When I got it the most recently replaced (3 years, under 5k km) it had broke again. If there's anything fishy happening next time I'm on to coils. Oem parts were used when he replaced and when I just replaced the same one. Must be a design flaw in how it sits.

[Bordom]

I found an absolutely mint set of rear mounts in a junk yard for less than $10 for both (an all you can carry deal with more shit I grabbed)

I cleaned them and sealed them in with POR15. Painted it on and I have yet to see any rust form on the mounts



Currently on my S4 and still look exactly like pictured, save for the dust accumulation


Everything graciously mispelled by Android

[Schnauzerguy]

Funny you say that you have broken springs. The PO of my car gave me his records and the rear springs were replaced within the last few years. When I got it the most recently replaced (3 years, under 5k km) it had broke again. If there's anything fishy happening next time I'm on to coils. Oem parts were used when he replaced and when I just replaced the same one. Must be a design flaw in how it sits.

Interestingly my left spring broke 2]twice actually. The lowest coil broke and stayed with the spring (it was still there when I took off the assembly) and then the next coil up broke, that is what I found on the floor of my garage that told me the spring broke. If it had not been making noise from the rear I was all set to replace the fronts since the rears were still new. Guess the rest of the suspension must be settled and overloading the springs.

[SteveAudi99]

Here's my left. Right looks fine. Mine is the sport suspension was yours sport or regular ?

[Schnauzerguy]

Here's my left. Right looks fine. Mine is the sport suspension was yours sport or regular ?

Mine was regular comfort suspension. The spring had the paint markings so I am sure they were OEM replacements. The shop that did the work then is very reputable, not inexpensive, but reputable. One thing I wonder is if the spring compressors damage the coating and lead to early failure. Mine probably looked about like yours until the second failure where that piece was ejected from the spring and ended up on my garage floor with one very rusty break and one very fresh (no rust at all) break.

[walky_talky20]

The metal on the back side of those rear strut mounts is just a thin, tin shield. It is not the strength of the part by any means. Even if the back side is completely gone, I don't think it's a big deal at all. In fact, I'm pretty sure the last time I had mine out, I did just that knocked out that rusty shield bit and put it back together.