Last edit by: IB Advertising
See related guides and technical advice from our community experts:
- Audi A3 How to Install Lowering Springs<br>Step by step instructions for do-it-yourself repairs.
Suspension fixes. Rear too low. Rubber spring spacers.
#1
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
Suspension fixes. Rear too low. Rubber spring spacers.
<center><img src="http://static.summitracing.com/global/images/prod/large/mrg-1287_w.jpg"></center><p>Anyone work with these before? Rubber coil spring spacers. They're cheap, but seem to be effective, at least minimally!
As you can see in the following picture. The rake is not correct and the rear is sitting too low. This is partially due to my aftermarket stereo equipment in the rear (my guess).
It does look good in the rear, but then the front is sitting too high And since the rear is rubbing a bit, due to my offset. I figured I would raise the back.
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/suspension/IMG_3084.jpg">
I tried a rubber coil spacer (pic'd at the top of this thread) that slides in, in the middle of the spring. It took about 5 minutes to install. It's designed to give 1" lift. But it didn't. It was a 2" lift until I test drove the car. It settled to 1/2mm lift. But it DID feel more comfortable!
So I've just ordered two more options. I'm not sure which one I'll need, but I'm tired of this, so I'm willing to pay extra to be ready.
Later this week I'll try: see the link.
and/or another product that doesn't have a picture available. Basically it's the 1st pic but taller. Advertises a 2" lift. So it the 1" lift = 1/2mm. Maybe this one will be 1mm
I know this sounds crazy, all this time and energy for 1mm. But the 1/2mm, has elimated rubbing my fenders, so every little bit helps. BTW we're talking $5-10 for these spacers!<ul><li><a href="http://www.mr-gasket.com/ProductDetails.aspx?brandID=1&productID=469339 3&txtSearch=1281#">http://www.mr-gasket.com/ProductDetails.aspx?brandID=1&productID=469339 3&txtSearch=1281#</a</li></ul>
As you can see in the following picture. The rake is not correct and the rear is sitting too low. This is partially due to my aftermarket stereo equipment in the rear (my guess).
It does look good in the rear, but then the front is sitting too high And since the rear is rubbing a bit, due to my offset. I figured I would raise the back.
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/suspension/IMG_3084.jpg">
I tried a rubber coil spacer (pic'd at the top of this thread) that slides in, in the middle of the spring. It took about 5 minutes to install. It's designed to give 1" lift. But it didn't. It was a 2" lift until I test drove the car. It settled to 1/2mm lift. But it DID feel more comfortable!
So I've just ordered two more options. I'm not sure which one I'll need, but I'm tired of this, so I'm willing to pay extra to be ready.
Later this week I'll try: see the link.
and/or another product that doesn't have a picture available. Basically it's the 1st pic but taller. Advertises a 2" lift. So it the 1" lift = 1/2mm. Maybe this one will be 1mm
I know this sounds crazy, all this time and energy for 1mm. But the 1/2mm, has elimated rubbing my fenders, so every little bit helps. BTW we're talking $5-10 for these spacers!<ul><li><a href="http://www.mr-gasket.com/ProductDetails.aspx?brandID=1&productID=469339 3&txtSearch=1281#">http://www.mr-gasket.com/ProductDetails.aspx?brandID=1&productID=469339 3&txtSearch=1281#</a</li></ul>
#3
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
pretty cool stuff. at this time I'm only looking for a slide in fix. If I can't
find anything that works, I may have result to what this guy in the Avant did.
#4
Is this the result of your H&R Touring Cup Kit Installation?
I can't imagine that your stereo is the culprit here -- we should be able to haul an A$$load of stuff in our cars w/o rubbing... esp. if the kits are designed & engineered properly. The reason I'm asking is that I've been considering a touring kit myself, but I have a 3.2Q, and am already concerned about the extra weight (my understanding is that the kits were primarily developed for the 2.0). I'm sorry you're having trouble with it (esp. after the time & expense), but if you can save some of the rest of us from similar grief, you will not have up(down)graded in vain.... Hope the spacers do the trick, though.
#5
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
I'm puzzled. b/c I was way lower in the rear before. so maybe the stereo
equipment, is indeed the culprit. Love that word What do you think after seeing this:
<b>BEFORE</b>, notice the rear is low to begin with.
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/night/IMG_1195.jpg">
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/night/paintedout.jpg">
<b>AFTER</b>
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/suspension/IMG_2969.jpg">
<b>BEFORE</b>, notice the rear is low to begin with.
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/night/IMG_1195.jpg">
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/night/paintedout.jpg">
<b>AFTER</b>
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/suspension/IMG_2969.jpg">
#7
my neuspeed springs lowered my front 1.2 inches and rear 1.5 inches
I was running 17x7 38 offset and they look precariously close to rubbing in the back. When I went to 18x8 I went to a 45 offset which fit much better but the rear has always been a little lower than the front. hopefully the spacers help. a lot cheaper than new rims
Trending Topics
#9
Hard to tell, as the pix are dark...
...but my original point (observation) is that, no matter how heavy the stereo is, it can't possibly be heavier than a full grown adult in the back seat... unless you've got a set of Dali Megaline's back there! (for the unintitated, Megalines are 7-foot-tall floorstanding speakers that retail for about $23K & weigh in at about 150 lbs each). If the H&R touring cup kit is properly engineered, it shouldn't rub, even when you're approaching vehicle weight capacity. I'm still scratching my head between keeping the stock 3.2 (sport) shocks & just adding H&R springs + rear sway, or the touring cup kit + rear sway. If your experience is what we can expect with the cup kit, I think I'll stick with just the springs. Still curious to know what others' experiences have been w/ suspension set-ups for the 3.3Q, though.... post up, and help me find Gappy a new home.
#10
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
it rubs b/c of my wheel offset. I don't
this the stock wheels will rub. think about it. people are SLAMMING A3s with stock wheels with no rubbing. stock offset = 56. my offset is 42!
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/ryanscamera053.jpg">
notice the offset above? the wheels are so far inside the wheel well that the tire would NEVER come close to the interior lip of the well.
Go outside and check out the inside of the wheel well for me. there is a huge lip just inside.
look at my aftermarket wheel. they are almost exactly the same width as the fender.
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/suspension/IMG_3076.jpg">
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/ryanscamera053.jpg">
notice the offset above? the wheels are so far inside the wheel well that the tire would NEVER come close to the interior lip of the well.
Go outside and check out the inside of the wheel well for me. there is a huge lip just inside.
look at my aftermarket wheel. they are almost exactly the same width as the fender.
<img src="http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a279/iMryanmac/suspension/IMG_3076.jpg">