Install question on H&R springs for SQ5

**TJay74** · 06-07-2016 02:04 PM

So I ordered the 29001-1 springs for our SQ5. Has anyone that is a shade tree mechanic installed these springs off of the floor of their home garage? Other than the spring compressor are there any other specialty tools needed to do the install? Is there any online documents for R&R'ing the front and rear springs that a guy could look at ahead of time to be familiar with the setup. I have done suspension, brake, engine and transmission work on all of our prior vehicles, so if this is something I could do over the course of the weekend that would be great.

Local independent shop quoted me 6hrs @ $109 per hr and another $109 for the alignment for a total of just a little over $800 out the door if I provide the springs, I felt like that was somewhat high, but then again I haven't paid shop rates for anything in the last 15 years or so.

Thanks in advance... Todd

**Adplaya** · 06-07-2016 02:13 PM

Originally Posted by TJay74

So I ordered the 29001-1 springs for our SQ5. Has anyone that is a shade tree mechanic installed these springs off of the floor of their home garage? Other than the spring compressor are there any other specialty tools needed to do the install? Is there any online documents for R&R'ing the front and rear springs that a guy could look at ahead of time to be familiar with the setup. I have done suspension, brake, engine and transmission work on all of our prior vehicles, so if this is something I could do over the course of the weekend that would be great.

Local independent shop quoted me 6hrs @ $109 per hr and another $109 for the alignment for a total of just a little over $800 out the door if I provide the springs, I felt like that was somewhat high, but then again I haven't paid shop rates for anything in the last 15 years or so.

Thanks in advance... Todd

Rant deleted. But for reference sake in Dallas, the highest end shop (master Audi tech) was charging $500 for the install.

**riceboy22** · 06-07-2016 02:15 PM

Originally Posted by TJay74

So I ordered the 29001-1 springs for our SQ5. Has anyone that is a shade tree mechanic installed these springs off of the floor of their home garage? Other than the spring compressor are there any other specialty tools needed to do the install? Is there any online documents for R&R'ing the front and rear springs that a guy could look at ahead of time to be familiar with the setup. I have done suspension, brake, engine and transmission work on all of our prior vehicles, so if this is something I could do over the course of the weekend that would be great.

Local independent shop quoted me 6hrs @ $109 per hr and another $109 for the alignment for a total of just a little over $800 out the door if I provide the springs, I felt like that was somewhat high, but then again I haven't paid shop rates for anything in the last 15 years or so.

Thanks in advance... Todd

I had saved off the link to these instructions a while back when I was looking into doing it myself. I believe it is applicable to the Q5 as well.

Audi B8 A4/5, S4/5, and RS5 Coilover Installation

As far as the cost of having a shop do it, I think the estimate you got is probably on the high end from a time perspective. Mine was done by my shop in a little under 3 hours, and that is what they had estimated for their quote as well. My alignment was an additional $159 on top of the installation labor.

**zcspec** · 06-07-2016 02:16 PM

If you're giving yourself the course of a weekend to do the install, you should be perfectly fine. You will need the following specialized tools to accomplish the task though:

- VW/Audi strut spreader (some DIY'ers have tried using a 1/2" adapter or a chisel, don't even go there....is all I have to say)
- 12 point triple square drive/bits
- impact wrench to remove the strut's top nut
- high offset open ended wrench for the front strut's top hat nut
- torque wrench
- as you mentioned already, spring compresser

Advice:

- it's doable, but having an extra set of hands comes in very handy
- have a floor jack to hold up the brake calipers
- when torquing down the strut's top hat nut, you'll need to use the open ended wrench and an allen key, or you could always impact it in (not recommended though)

This project is totally DIYable, just take your time, stop for breaks, and have a buddy handy.

**connoisseurr** · 06-07-2016 02:16 PM

As long as you have all the other tools, a spring compressor is really all you need. My mechanic has a specially compressor that allow you to fit the tool up through the center of the rear spring to remove from the spring cup. Again, not necessary, but helpful.

I think the quoted rate is about the average rate, unless you know someone. My long time friend who does work for me would charge 450 for the spring install and send me somewhere else for an alignment. I'm getting mine installed on Thursday and I think I'll over pay for the alignment just to have Audi do it. They'll shift the rear subframe to get that camber just right for the rear.

**TJay74** · 06-07-2016 03:14 PM

Yeah I thought the quote was a tad on the high side, but then again they are the only import shop in the Norman area where I live. I wish Dallas wasn't 3 hours away for me, it would be an all day ordeal to drive down from Norman to Dallas in order to get this job done and to be honest by the time I factor in gas and food would put it near my local quote. The 12 point triple square sockets are impossible to find locally, I have some I ordered to do the rear bushings already. If I could find the size I might be able to see if I already have those.

Other option is I take the 4 springs assemblies out and take them to the shop and pay them to swap the springs over, that would save me some labor if I did it that way. Is the rear doable without dropping the rear cradle?

**BillVT** · 06-07-2016 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by TJay74

So I ordered the 29001-1 springs for our SQ5. Has anyone that is a shade tree mechanic installed these springs off of the floor of their home garage? Other than the spring compressor are there any other specialty tools needed to do the install? Is there any online documents for R&R'ing the front and rear springs that a guy could look at ahead of time to be familiar with the setup. I have done suspension, brake, engine and transmission work on all of our prior vehicles, so if this is something I could do over the course of the weekend that would be great.

Local independent shop quoted me 6hrs @ $109 per hr and another $109 for the alignment for a total of just a little over $800 out the door if I provide the springs, I felt like that was somewhat high, but then again I haven't paid shop rates for anything in the last 15 years or so.

Thanks in advance... Todd

6 hours is the flat rate that your (or any shop) will see if they look it up. My indy took that time and they are honest. If someone has done it, it's likely about 2hours front and 2 hours rear. If they haven't done it it's 2 hours for the first front, 1 hour for the second front and same for the rears.

**masemoto** · 06-07-2016 07:00 PM

$300-400 is normal with another ~$100 or so for alignment at a quality shop. Don't pay more than that unless you have no other options.

**TJay74** · 06-07-2016 07:11 PM

Originally Posted by masemoto

$300-400 is normal with another ~$100 or so for alignment at a quality shop. Don't pay more than that unless you have no other options.

I will be off for about 12 days, I may use one of those days to talk to the shop in person. Heck worst case, get a buddy to do a road trip and use one of the shops in Dallas for the install. I just cant see over paying by $300 for the install, I understand the schematics of a shop has overhead and costs but I also am trying to protect my wallet as well.

**VroomVroom** · 06-07-2016 09:01 PM

It is a balance. IME most shops will charge a flat four hours for what is essentially an R&R...just putting back something a little different than what came out. I'm not always the most thrifty cat, so take this and filter it however you see fit. Some shops charge $109/hour. Others charge less. Some charge more. Sometimes there is value inherent in spending more. As long as you trust the shop doing the work, that's the key. We're not 20-year-old college students working on our Civics. We bellied up and committed to $50-60k-ish for a vehicle.

That said, I'm about to fork over $ for my drop, and I'm going with the cheapest vendor. Of course, I only solicited two quotes, and I am convinced the more expensive one (more expensive by over $700, I might add) is just flat greedy. Anyway...good luck. I'll close by saying....I love wrenching, and this is not a job I'd remotely consider without a lift. Life is too short.

**SQive** · 06-07-2016 09:37 PM

Well put Jerry. I've done springs before. Now, I'm too old (read "wise") to wanna fuck with it myself.
Sometimes, you just gotta know when to punt.

**TJay74** · 06-08-2016 07:25 AM

Well just for giggle I called the Audi dealer to see how far off they would be, almost double. They quoted $1400 for the install. 7 hours of labor and get this, $300 for a 4 wheel alignment that any of the local tire shops that use the newest Hunter alignment systems only charge $100 to align.

Now if I can find who some of the reputable shops in the Dallas area are, I am going to try and get some quotes. Will only cost me $50 to drive down to Dallas to have the job done.

**TJay74** · 06-08-2016 07:51 AM

I have now called 4 local shops in the Dallas area, 3 of them have said they flat out don't want to do the work and the only one that was able to give me a quote was a little higher than my independent shop. Looks like the "shops that do it in 3 hours" is a mystical unicorn that isn't found anymore. Gonna go down and talk to the local shop and see if he is firm on his quote or not.

**SQive** · 06-08-2016 08:58 AM

Did you try:
Blair Automotive in Frisco (http://www.blairautomotive.com)
DubSquared in Arlington (http://www.dubsquared.net/)
ZinkWerks in Euless (http://zinkwerks.net/)
These are our local go-to guys and they do springs.

**Resoom** · 06-08-2016 10:49 AM

I'm sure they do it in 3 hours but its likely 2 people doing the effort - 6 hours book time. Suppose they could do it in 2 hours with 3 people or 12 hours if the guy was a piss poor performer - LOL.

**AngryQ5** · 06-08-2016 12:05 PM

Ok i got my springs fone twice in nyc at a shop
Paid 300 no alignment

Now to put the h&r springs i did not see my guys use spring compressors. Being that those are about 3 4 inches shorter it went right in with out using spring compressors. When i put oems back on he had to use compressors.

Can anyone confirm?

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