André

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/16661/Amortisseur.jpg"></center><p>I am thinking for an alternative way to lower an A4, other than installing lowering springs.

I am waiting for the delivery of my 2001 A4 2.8QM. I ordered the non-sport suspension for the ride. But I agree with almost everyone else on this group that the car need's badly to be lowered.

For the front suspension, I thought of shortening the extension stem that connects to the control arm (see drawing). For example, a 1.0" modification would give approximately 1.5" lowering. This modification would lower the car without sacrificing on the ride quality, as full suspension travel would remain unchanged and because the stock (shortened connector) shocks and springs are being kept original.

Because I did not have a chance to closely examine the suspension hardware, I don't know yet if this modification is possible with this car. Also, I do not have a solution yet for the rear suspension! (but trust me on that )... I have done these kinds of modifications on previous cars with good results. I agree that it requires a bit of planning and calculations, but it's fairly easy to do for a machine/welding shop and a lot cheaper than buying springs and shocks (I'll make my drawings available to others interested if modifications are feasible).

As opposed to the installation of lowering springs, this solution allows the wheel to travel deeper into the wheel well and needs to check for available clearance before the tire hits something.

The questions are: Has anyone tried this solution on the A4? Has anyone measured the available wheel travel clearance front and rear before bottoming onto the wheel well (or anything else) on a stock non-sport suspension?

Please comment. Pictures of suspensions are welcome to let me continue dreaming with my crazy ideas before I get a chance to examine my own A4!!!

Anand@4Induktion.com

why do all this when for less than $850 you can have a stiffer lower suspension(the non sport package is WAAAAAAAY too soft, even the 99.5+ sport package is tooooooo soft)

Alex C

Installing the Neuspeed/Bilstein sport shocks and stock sport springs. I think the Bilstein's do a much better job than the stock shocks or the stock sport shocks. The stock sport springs will lower the car 20mm from stock springs. The adjustable perches on the Neuspeed/Bilsteins will allow you to lower the front and rear an additional 10 mm by setting the lower shock perches to the lowest ones. That brings the drop to about 30mm.

I personally think that the A4 looks best, without having to worry about bottoming out the shocks due to the softer springs, when lowered about 1.25". I hope that helps!


Alex

WClark

The front and rear perches can be moved during installation allowing the ride height to be changed although they dont drop the 1.5" or so you might be wishing for.

Also a side problem with softer springs and lowering is you will find it much easier to push the tires into the wheel well liners and the shock will be bottoming out more often against the poly-something stopper. Your idea would mitigate the latter but not the former, and I am not sure the rear shock would allow this. For that matter finding someone to do it might be an issue. Firmer springs will resist bottoming problems better in addition to making the handling crisper.

e

Cheapest I've seen is $219 from shox.com (maybe that includes shipping?)

RKA

Anand, I know you got a really good deal, but I think we've established that what you paid is not the norm. Realistically, the install and alignment is likely to cost $300...maybe a little less, maybe a little more.

Springs for $190...call SPP or shox.com.

André

... A little more complicated, but much more efficient than lowering springs !
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/16661/demonstration_geometrie.jpg">