paulroad

All along we talk about replacing the airsprings..with new airsprings.(and the occasional coilover for the daring) But a poster mentioned the lifespan of the shocks themselves. Something I've not thought about.

Granted on a convetional ride, we can replace shocks very easilly and not too expensive. Has anyone..as a matter of maintance.. just replaced their shocks (OEM only) and what was the cost of doing so?

From a longevity standpoint I have 128K. Am I kidding myself by just replacing an airsping as they go and then sometime down the road feeling the shocks are done?

Discuss please...

arnick'02-6spd

for several reasons...

1. I don't believe any component lasts a 'lifetime' - especially shocks. Lifetime shocks are as good as lifetime AT fluid.

2. If I could have an air suspension that felt more like a conventional suspension (tighter, better rebound damping) I would not do a coil over. The adjustability IS an asset.

3. And most important: A year and a half ago, when my 02 had 45000miles, my mother bought an 04 4.2 with 20 K. Her car felt much, much tighter. No wallowing. No wheel hop. The shocks felt completely different.

It was such a difference I got rid of my 402 mod - which made things only a little better, but still not like hers. The only thing I can conclude is that my shocks are worn or Audi changed the valving in the shocks sometime between 2002 and 04 and didn't change the part numbers.

Good topic, Paul

mlfca

While my ar is at the dealer today, I was given a 06 A6 3.2 as a loaner and what a difference. The A6 is so much tighter then the ar, flat cornering; the car feels like it is attached to the road with cables.

In fairness it is the new platform.

paulroad

not to mention a steel spring Vrs an air bag.

viny

I have just upgraded from a 00 A6 2.8 quattro avant to an 04 ar 4.2, up until now I would tend to say I prefer the road handling of the A6 but much prefer the ar for it's looks, power and suspension height ajustment......I damaged the under carriage of the A6 several times due to it's long overhangs and low ride. Perhaps the ar needs some suspension ajustment since the compressor is more often than not working wich I do not find normal.
Cheers
V

Casablanca Avant

allroad but with that said, I have 142K + on my oem sport suspension and it feels no different now than when it did brand new. So perhaps something can be said for longevity of Audi shocks?

viny

Re: good point.......sometimes the ar feels like a yatch

ShowMeData

It felt as tight and responsive as anything one could expect from a large car. Granted, the adjustability is only about an inch and maybe that makes the bags stiffer than the ar's long-travel bags.

ShowMeData

airsprings? This has been done before by OEMs - Ford Expedition had it as an option, for one.

This would tighten up the handling (since the car is nose-heavy), while retaining the auto-leveling feature most of us love for hauling, towing, etc.

I wonder how imbalanced the car would be with that setup, and how handling would be...

paulroad

<center><img src="http://www.whnet.com/4x4/pix/ads_220.jpg"></center><p>it has the ability to be adjusted but its not a rubber bag like ours.