Suspension overhaul

[audinut]

In trying to keep my S2 up to scratch I have decided to take on the suspension and steering items and overhaul them before I get the vehicle on our laser aligner at work.

I have read a few threads about different items and was just posting this out for any advice and "Must" haves while doing this i.e stretch bolts etc and the possible problems i may encounter (pretty sure the track rods are siezed lol)

[Kliminati456]

whats the goal for the car....daily? track? rally?

definitely get new bolts. What are you thinking coilovers or lowering springs/shocks?

[audinut]

it will definately be a daily and i dont want to stray too far from the O.E stuff but would like to reduce the ride height slightly and generally give a new lease of life to the 18yr old stuff on the car - I mainly want to do it for preservation reasons

[audinut]

My suspensions new home for a few days

[willg54]

wish i'd got one of those...probably would have been cheaper!!

Depends how far you're going with it. Are we just talking wishbones, struts and steering arms? if you're thinking of subframes too it'll be much more complex!

If its just suspension, i'd replace every bolt you come across. Strut bolts are special stretch bolts i think, so go to Audi for them, pretty cheap to be fair! Same with bushes, replace them while they're out. if you want to remain OEM ish, id recommend the Meyhle (Spelling?!) HD bushes all round. You can pick them up from Quattro Corner at good prices! They are simliar to OEM but that bit stiffer, half way house to polybushing. Change the wheel bearings too i suppose!

Bit of copper slip on the thread joints for trackrods etc are always good!

[audinut]

yea i belive bambridge does upgraded track adjusters so hopefully thats covered , wont be going as far as subframes at the moment , the first phase is to build the struts off the vehicle, then move onto arms, once those items are sorted i will be collecting parts for a brake upgrade, and then a fitting weekend where i will change the arms,struts,track arms calipers and hoses and then of course get her on the 4 wheel aligner for a geo.

Whats the advantages/disadvantages of powerflex over stock , i had powerflex on my cabrio 80 and it felt much better through the steering with no ill effects

[djh]

I've gone powerflex on mine all round.

[poor-boy]

I would go powerflex as they have a good rep over standard suspension... I would too but it's too much hard work

[Fat Audi 80]

IMO Don't muck about with rubber OEM suspension bushes, supaflex or powerflex will be fit and forget. Better performance and very little increase in NVH if at all.

Cheers,

Steve

[Error404]

From experience, I would suggest doing it all at once, no point in stripping it down twice, and doing the geo twice
The suspension is only as good as the weakest link. IMHO bushes & mounts are the first thing you should focus on, then dampers, then springs last.

Well worth doing gearbox, engine and diff mounts while its all in bits, as well as the fuel and brake lines when the subframes are off.
Rod adjusters front and rear will probably need a bit of work to free them off, but you might be lucky! Top mounts will need looking at, if they're not shot now they will be soon. The Meyle HD ones seem to last longer than the OE blue or green and are similar money.
As Will says, worth doing wheel bearings while the hubs are off and in bits, same with ball joints.

it will be a different car once its done

[Fat Audi 80]

I did the subframe bushes (poly) and GB monts along with Engine mounts and top mounts over the last 24 months. The car drives like new again, in fact better than new as it is really really tight now.

[poor-boy]

I did the subframe bushes (poly) and GB monts along with Engine mounts and top mounts over the last 24 months. The car drives like new again, in fact better than new as it is really really tight now.

Will have to send mine over to you too

[Jamo]

Just a warning this is a long and expensive job to do in one go but it is worth it I did all this 2 years ago, full power flex, superflex subframe front, bambridge solid rears, bambridge adjusters and bushes for tie rods, new engine mounts, new gearbox mounts, poly diff mounts front and rear, 4 new wheel bearings add to this I went to RS2 hubs and GT3 front brakes , porsche 996 monoblock rears, all new discs and pads, new handbrakes and cables

I need to sit down after thinking how much that cost me

[SE_30]

Just a warning this is a long and expensive job to do in one go but it is worth it I did all this 2 years ago, full power flex, superflex subframe front, bambridge solid rears, bambridge adjusters and bushes for tie rods, new engine mounts, new gearbox mounts, poly diff mounts front and rear, 4 new wheel bearings add to this I went to RS2 hubs and GT3 front brakes , porsche 996 monoblock rears, all new discs and pads, new handbrakes and cables

I need to sit down after thinking how much that cost me

Only pennies for you that Jamo I've yet to ring that bloke you recommended but will do it when I'm home next. Suspension is coming so will have the car back on the ground so will hopefully pull the engine out and make the call..

[audinut]

I would go powerflex as they have a good rep over standard suspension... I would too but it's too much hard work

its not too bad , powerflex bushes are pretty easy to fit