A6 Lower control arm on Allroaad

[allroad_22]

So, about 3 years ago when i started this project, i bought lower control arms from a local vw/audi store, problem is that I'm having a hard time fitting them and I don't recall if I ordered these for "A6" or "Allroad", mainly because i was in the midst of installing all the A6 manual tranny stuff, and the suspension has been converted to non-air A6 prior to me.

Anyway, when I compare the two control arms I notice that although the length is identical, the angle from where the strut connects over to where the hub connects is more extreme on the original allroad arms, probably 2-3 degrees of difference. Basically, the new ones i got are mostly straight, while the original allroad ones have a slight angle in that section.

So my question is this, if the suspension is no longer air, shouldn't it be pretty much identical to A6? should I be able to use that control arm?

[glennda5id]

My understanding is that you will need to use A6 uprights which are shorter and work with the A6 lower control arms.

The difference with the allroad is taller uprights, longer lower control arms (maybe different angles) and body spacers.

[allroad_22]

Thanks, but what are uprights? Not in tune with all the audi lingo...

[carmudgeon]

E.g. the spindle, or if you're old like me, the steering knuckle.

[julex]

upright = spindle

The difference in the two arms is in how high, in relation to hub bolt <-> frame bolt straight line (perceived curveness of arm is irrelevant), the shock attaches. In allroad, the attachment point is lower than in A6. This is to allow for longer shock travel for adjustable suspension. And remember, spindle height has nothing to do with how "tall" the car will sit but ONLY with where the shock attaches. With given compressed shock length, the attachment point height is what moves chassis up and down and thus yield different chassis to ground clearance.