A6 rear suspension problem

[matt5791]

I have been posting on the A8 section of this forum, having recently purchased a 2000 model after being so impressed with my 1996 A6 2.5 Tdi SE (facelift 100 model)

It now has 180,000 miles (I bought it at 53,000) and, despite the arrival of the new car, I am keeping it because it is such a good vehicle, and has a fully stamped up book.

However it has always appeared a little low on the rear suspension, but recently it appears to have become a lot worse - basically it looks like I am constantly transporting many bags of cement in the boot!

Does anyone have any thoughts about what the cause might be? are the springs just tired? shocks tired (I have never installed new shocks on the car, and I would assume they would not have been replaced in the first 53,000 miles of its life, so they are most likely the originals, although they passed MOT back in November)

Would appreciate any thoughts and ideas,

Thanks,

Matt

[pnifa1]

Hi Matt,

Sounds like your rear springs have gotten weak, at that mileage, I'd change all shocks and springs as a matter of course, they can easily pass an MOT as things only have to be serviceable in order to pass, they can still be very tired. If I were you, I'd change your front suspension links at the same time, you'll be amazed how tight and new the car will then feel as over time and mileage it will have loosened up a lot, even though you may have not noticed it

Paul N

[grahamb]

Yep, sounds like springs to me. They may have broken, allowing the car to drop considerably. Either that or someones fitted quattro springs at the rear which gives it the lowered look.

[matt5791]

Thanks for help - I have ordered 4 new road springs and rear shocks (the fronts were done not so long ago). THe springs I have ordered will lower the car a little too - which it can definitely take because the standard issue 15" audi alloys (which I quite like) do look a little lost in the arches.

Will also be attending to the track control arm bushes and any others that are looking a little aged.

have to see what happens.

Matt

[Edd_W]

exhaust is usually very low just behind the cats and it will hit speed bumps.

I would stick with standard springs after the same experience on my old 100 avant. I had one rear spring sag so I fitted a set whihc lowered it by about 25mm. I had to make a spacer to fit over the rear damper to raise the spring platform by 15mm just to get a sensible ride height.

Have you ordered springs fro Euro?