DrFatz

I recently purchased a set of lowering springs and shocks. I managed to install the fronts no problem, however I can't get the stock rear springs out!!!! I purchased a generic spring compressor set which worked fine for the fronts, but I can only get one compressor in on the rears due to the control arm being in the way (this set requires a compressor on each side of the spring for safe removal). Short of going out and buying the ~$400 Audi spring tool or taking it to a shop...how do I get the rear springs out without killing myself?!?!?!? This must be a very common problem seeing as all of the compressors I found worked the same way and any car with a rear coil spring setup like the A4 (quite a few) will have this problem.

Suggestions?

siberian

I had to figure it out myself when we did mine.

The way we got them out was to remove the shock first. It comes out fairly easily. then we removed the eccentric bolt that is used to set rear camber. Doing this will allow the rear linkage to drop a little lower, giving you more room to work with. Just make sure you mark the position of the bolt and the camber setting with liquid paper, or some type of highly visible sharpie marker, so you will be able to re-align it later on when you re-assemble everything. Also remember to remove the bolt that holds the brake line in place against the underframe... this will give you some slack in the line so it doesn't stretch when the linkage drops.

Now with everything more loose, we used a spring compresser to get that rear spring shortened just enough to wiggle it out of there. It helps if you have two people because one person can step on the rear rotor and push it down as far as possible while the other person yanks on the spring. This is probably dangerous, but it also helped by taking a pry bar and getting up underneath the spring, between the spring and the bottom rubber coil seat... and prying it up a little to help wiggle and twist it out of there.

Just so you know, once you get the old springs out, putting the new ones in is much easier. Since they are shorter, we managed to install the new springs (Eibach Pro Kit) without having to compress them first. We just reversed the removal process by having one person push down on the rear linkage while the other one installed the spring.

Another "trick" we used was to get one of those metal rods from ECS Tuning that is used to replace that plastic rod that comes in the Audi tool kit that you screw into a lug hole and hang your wheel on while inserting the lug nuts. ECS makes metal ones... and we screwed that rod into one of the lug holes thus allowing for one person to use that as a lever to stand on and help push down the rear linkage to aid in removal and installation of the springs.

Hope that helps

oatzel

it's easiest to drop the rear subframe down, then you can pull it out without compressing it

DrFatz

Geeze and people told me that removing the rear springs is much easier then removing the fronts...yeah right. So this is the procedure you used on a 2004+ A4? I actually have an 04 S4 but the setup is the same as an 04 A4.

BTW your advice is MUCH appreciated!

siberian

the shock itself is very easy to get out... it's the spring that's the real bitch.


I think what most people are referring to is when you put coilovers on, it's probably easier to remove a coilover assembly to re-adjust height settings from the rear than from the front because there are fewer steps.

also, I haven't experienced this myself, but from what I understand, on the previous generation A4, the B5, the rears were much easier.

MikTip

<center><img src="http://www.toolss.com/wbstore/images/zzz1117xx.jpg"></center><p>to assist in the effort ;O)

As I heard dropping the rear sub-frame can upset the alignment. Also the sub-frame bolts are the "stretch" type, and should be replaced once loosened...

heateris

anymore info on that spring compressor?

DrFatz

That's what they recommend in the Audi Service manual...if you get the Audi tool it will set you back a cool $400...what did you pay for that beauty?

Quattrould

+1 Post some more info on that compressor

MikTip

From what I've read here on AW, some folks can rent or borrow the same type of compressor, depending where you live...

I bought the one I have pictured from here-
<a href="http://www.toolss.com/wbstore/main.asp?action=PROD&PROD=MK-1941&CTMP=1&LowCt=0" target="_top">
Clicky</a>