I'm thinking of trying to change the suspension on my RS4

[newsh]

I'm thinking of trying to change the suspension on my RS4 on my own today, never been under the car before, what do you think? Shall I have a go?

I'm taking off a set of H&R coilovers and fitting stock stuff. I'll be outside and its drizzling

I just want these coilovers gone!

[david]

goodluck m8
i think you're a brave man to be working under a car this time of the year.

[s2_wot]

With the b5 type front suspension occasionally the pinch bolt that catches the two upper arms or the pinch bolt that catches the track rod end fails during stripping requiring replacement.

Front struts no more than a couple of hours all going well in my experience.

[andy10v]

Have you got a bag of replacement bolts from the dealers for any stretch bolts?

[Greg_S]

Are you changing to poly bushes too? Remember years ago when this was done on Gordons yellow RS4 at my dads and rear arms were a proper PITA with them and the handbrake cable

[newsh]

TBH I'm a bit unprepared, no spare bolts, anyway its tipping it down now so I think I'll wait for a fine day. I figured as it had been changed to coilovers that nothing would be seized. Was going to stay with stock bushes, everything is fairly low miles..
I have just painted the shocks though, I did the Trustan and red lead the other day, just given them a coat of black. Will spray with Waxoil anyway before assembly.

I've read this ARTICLE but still don't really see the whole picture, I guess you don't till you've done it, I'm hoping the top pinch bolt will come out and I don't need to take out the rubber bungs

Two hours sounds encouraging, that'll be 3 or 4 for me

[djh]

Its a 5 minute job at the front I know that, 2x 13mm's at the top and one big bolt at the bottom with a long bar to lever down the suspension so the strut will pop over.

18mm bolts at the bottom from what I remember.

Rears are same as a s2 avant so 4x13mm's at the top and 1x nut/bolt at the bottom.

DO NOT TOUCH THE PINCH BOLTS - they are not needed to be undone to do this, the front 2x bolts at the top for the top mount are underneath two covers in the scuttle panel that are plastic body coloured caps, a lot easier to do than the pinch bolts and it took me 10 mins a side to remove struts from a car on friday night (it was already up in the air with the wheel off)

[newsh]

Wow thats great, very encouraging thanks

[re2500]

Why u ditching the h&rs, if you don't mind me asking?

[Acidburn]

as been mentioned above, do it how djh has mentioned, quick and simple.

[newsh]

Why u ditching the h&rs, if you don't mind me asking?

It looks ok but its undrivable

[newsh]

It is done! Not too bad at all (I had a friend to help)

Started about 2.00pm finished at 7.00pm including dismantling the H&Rs to re-use the top mounts and cleaning and waxoiling everything. All thats left to do is drop it down and tighten the bolts.

I spent the morning stripping out and cleaning the plenum area and making sure the drain is clean and clear and giving the engine bay a really good going over, it looks really nice.