siberian

What's a relatively fair price to do a complete suspension install.... meaning shocks and springs? Is $300 bucks about right?

Also, did you have a hard time finding a place to do the install even though you didn't actually buy the parts from them?

CP

Independent shop=$250...plus $80 alignment at the dealer...so about $1G in the end.

Ray Khan

I was told that an alignment isn't necessar ...WClark, can you explain please?

Andy Hedin

Alignment should be checked/adjusted anytime you lower the suspension.

ajp

I have neuspeed race/bilsteins which lower a very significant amount(50mm) and the alignment was perfect when they checked it...I had a deler check the alignment to 1) make sure the alignment was correct of course but 2) make sure everything was where it should be/properly installed, etc. Worth it in my opinion...
alex
99.51.8tqm

WClark

Nothing needs to be loosened or removed that directly affects alignment, front or rear. Changing the standing height of the vehicle by putting in lower springs and or shock perches will change camber a little but that isnt adjustable anyway. Caster is fixed. Toe-in (adjusted via the tie-rods) is adjustable but the tie rods shouldnt be touched in the swap itself.

So an alignment, which can correct toe-in (on the rear can also correct tracking) and balance camber doesnt do anything that wasnt needed before swapping the springs/shocks. In other words if an alignment wasnt needed before the work it shouldnt be needed afterwards. There has been some discussion that toe-in changes with lowering. My experience is that mine did not, based on my own measurements but more importantly based on no changes to steering feel or tire wear over 9,000 miles following the spring change.

My car and another A4 I helped do went from OEM sport to Eurosport which is a lot less of a drop than OEM stock to Eurosport, some coilover setups or other sport lowering springs. However the tie-rods are oriented pretty nicely to keep things under control between the stock height and Eurosport height.

Ray Khan

Thanks Clark

RKA

I got a quote from him (parts and labor itemized). I shopped around and found the parts for a LOT less. I asked my mechanic, what was his cost on the parts. It turned out that he was being charged $900 for eibachs and bilsteins, whereas I could get them online for $660 delivered. He told me his markup was $100. I offered to give him his markup, and I would get the parts myself. He was happy, and I was happy.

Incidentally, he checked the alignment and didn't need to make any adjustments. I got the parts from shox.com.

SMOKINA4TURBO

I put on Neuspeed Race and Bilsteins, my alignment was way off. Had toe in big time.

Delta-9

How are your OEM (sport) shocks holding up with the eurosports?

I have thought about this on my 2001 and debated doing the bilsteins as well while they were in there doing the work.

jon