Air Suspension Repair/Upgrade
03-19-2013, 01:32 PM
#1
Audiworld Junior Member
Thread Starter
Air Suspension Repair/Upgrade
When I purchased my '01 allroad a month ago, the first night it sat outside my house, I came out to a leaning car. the passenger front bag had deflated all the way. the previous owner said they had seen it fall a few times before, but it always came up when the car was started. a little investigation, and there is definetly a leak in the front right bag at level 1. it has now fallen a few times on level 2 if it is cold out, or I park on a surface that pushes the front right of the car up.
<div><br/></div>
<div>I also have an air warning light on the dash. The previous owner said the light has been on for a very long time, and about 10k miles ago, he personally <b>installed a new Arnott compressor</b>
However. the light stayed on. The right front sits a little bit lower at all levels, so I'm guessing (hoping?) a simple calibration would take care of the warning light. I Don't have a VAG-COM yet, so I'm just living with it.*shop says my CV's look ok, so I' don't think it's causing any real damage by being slightly out of whack.</div>
<div><br/></div>
<div>NONETHELESS…. the idea of this thing automatically lowering itself to level 1 on the highway scares me a lot. I'm figuring the new compressor can keep up with the demand for air, even with the hole, but continued dress at the setting where it leaks can only worsen the strength of the bag over time. I have done a few hours of highway driving anyway with no perceivable issues.</div>
<div><br/></div>
<div>SO… here's my idea: *I'd like to replace both front bags at the same time, as per audi's recommendation. also, since the OEM bags are pretty much guaranteed to fail at some point anyway, I might as well take care of both of them, and pay one shipping charge for the heavy parts.</div>
<div><br/></div>
<div>Replacing with OEM is out of the question. they fail and are $$$. *Arnott Gen 1 look nice… Gen 2 nicer. although it is a family car, and my daily driver, so not sure if stiffer is better. If money were no object, I would get these no questions asked.</div>
<div><br/></div>
<div><b>But wait… whats this? a very cheap option has just come around provided by Airbagit</b>, and I haven't seen anyone put these on their allroad. I'm thinking I will have to be the guinea pig.</div>
<div><a href="http://www.airbagit.com/product-p/bag-ocs-audi-x1.htm">http://www.airbagit.com/product-p/bag-ocs-audi-x1.htm</a><br/></div>
<div><br/></div>
<div><span><img src="http://freetobelee.earjuice.com/audi/airbagitallroad.jpg" height="375" width="500"/></span><br/></div>
<div><span>Although they lack any kind of*shroud*to protect the bags, like the A</span>rnott Gen 2, they look to be built well from large pieces of aluminum.</div>
<div><br/></div>
<div>NOW… I know what you're going to say. "HAVEN'T YOU READ THE REVIEWS OF AIRBAGIT?"</div>
<div>yes I've found a LOT of negative review of the company and their products. people call them cheap chinese parts with bad customer service. as far as I can tell, they are a US company, and build a lot of the components in the US (they have a webcam of various parts in the shop in america with some pretty serious equipment). I could be very wrong, though.</div>
<div><br/></div>
<div>Also, the negative review I have found are related to product design, mostly bags installed on mini trucks that don't have a stock air system like the allroad. chances are that Airbagit didn't have to do much engineering on these things, just replicate the OEM parts.</div>
<div><br/></div>
<div>AND… of course, since I'm becoming a little obsessed with this car, I've heard of the 402 mod. Since I need to recalibrate the system anyway, I'd like to drop it a bit as well.</div>
<div><br/></div>
<div>BUT… I live in Lake Tahoe. we get some monster storms here, and there are times when I need every mm of clearance I can get. <b>So, I'd love to install Silva's IPP extension arm extenders</b>, so I don't sacrifice Level 4 for the winter.</div>
<div><br/></div>
<div><span><img src="http://freetobelee.earjuice.com/audi/ipparms.png" height="325" width="485"/></span><br/></div>
<div><span><img src="http://freetobelee.earjuice.com/audi/ippinstalled.png" height="324" width="481"/><br/></span><br/></div>
<div><span><br/></span></div>
<div><span>SO…*around $280 for the*two front bags, and $(contact silva for price) the extension arms, and maybe a case of beer for someone to help me Calibrate and 402...</span></div>
<div>Am*I*insane to think I can fix AND upgrade an Audi for so cheap? *:P<br/></div>
<div>Am I asking for disaster extending these less expensive bags?</div>
<div><br/></div>
<div>I<span>*think*I*will install the bags and arms myself.*I*helped my friend install new shocks and springs on an old mercedes, and that was a much more involved job, so*I*am confident with that part of a car. also, my local euro shop would **** a brick if*I*asked them to install cheaper replacement parts AND a*modification*at the same time. If there is a problem with the Airbagit bags,*I'd*rather know how to handle the install myself rather than keep paying a shop to uninstall and install.</span></div>
<div><span><br/></span></div>
<div><b>Any comments or*guidance*is appreciated.</b> And yes,*I*know*I'm*new here, but flaming won't get us as a community of enthusiasts anywhere. If*I'm insane, then I expect some pretty good evidence to be presented :P</div>
<div><br/></div>
<div><b>Thanks!</b></div>
<div><br/></div>
<div>I also have an air warning light on the dash. The previous owner said the light has been on for a very long time, and about 10k miles ago, he personally <b>installed a new Arnott compressor</b>
However. the light stayed on. The right front sits a little bit lower at all levels, so I'm guessing (hoping?) a simple calibration would take care of the warning light. I Don't have a VAG-COM yet, so I'm just living with it.*shop says my CV's look ok, so I' don't think it's causing any real damage by being slightly out of whack.</div><div><br/></div>
<div>NONETHELESS…. the idea of this thing automatically lowering itself to level 1 on the highway scares me a lot. I'm figuring the new compressor can keep up with the demand for air, even with the hole, but continued dress at the setting where it leaks can only worsen the strength of the bag over time. I have done a few hours of highway driving anyway with no perceivable issues.</div>
<div><br/></div>
<div>SO… here's my idea: *I'd like to replace both front bags at the same time, as per audi's recommendation. also, since the OEM bags are pretty much guaranteed to fail at some point anyway, I might as well take care of both of them, and pay one shipping charge for the heavy parts.</div>
<div><br/></div>
<div>Replacing with OEM is out of the question. they fail and are $$$. *Arnott Gen 1 look nice… Gen 2 nicer. although it is a family car, and my daily driver, so not sure if stiffer is better. If money were no object, I would get these no questions asked.</div>
<div><br/></div>
<div><b>But wait… whats this? a very cheap option has just come around provided by Airbagit</b>, and I haven't seen anyone put these on their allroad. I'm thinking I will have to be the guinea pig.</div>
<div><a href="http://www.airbagit.com/product-p/bag-ocs-audi-x1.htm">http://www.airbagit.com/product-p/bag-ocs-audi-x1.htm</a><br/></div>
<div><br/></div>
<div><span><img src="http://freetobelee.earjuice.com/audi/airbagitallroad.jpg" height="375" width="500"/></span><br/></div>
<div><span>Although they lack any kind of*shroud*to protect the bags, like the A</span>rnott Gen 2, they look to be built well from large pieces of aluminum.</div>
<div><br/></div>
<div>NOW… I know what you're going to say. "HAVEN'T YOU READ THE REVIEWS OF AIRBAGIT?"</div>
<div>yes I've found a LOT of negative review of the company and their products. people call them cheap chinese parts with bad customer service. as far as I can tell, they are a US company, and build a lot of the components in the US (they have a webcam of various parts in the shop in america with some pretty serious equipment). I could be very wrong, though.</div>
<div><br/></div>
<div>Also, the negative review I have found are related to product design, mostly bags installed on mini trucks that don't have a stock air system like the allroad. chances are that Airbagit didn't have to do much engineering on these things, just replicate the OEM parts.</div>
<div><br/></div>
<div>AND… of course, since I'm becoming a little obsessed with this car, I've heard of the 402 mod. Since I need to recalibrate the system anyway, I'd like to drop it a bit as well.</div>
<div><br/></div>
<div>BUT… I live in Lake Tahoe. we get some monster storms here, and there are times when I need every mm of clearance I can get. <b>So, I'd love to install Silva's IPP extension arm extenders</b>, so I don't sacrifice Level 4 for the winter.</div>
<div><br/></div>
<div><span><img src="http://freetobelee.earjuice.com/audi/ipparms.png" height="325" width="485"/></span><br/></div>
<div><span><img src="http://freetobelee.earjuice.com/audi/ippinstalled.png" height="324" width="481"/><br/></span><br/></div>
<div><span><br/></span></div>
<div><span>SO…*around $280 for the*two front bags, and $(contact silva for price) the extension arms, and maybe a case of beer for someone to help me Calibrate and 402...</span></div>
<div>Am*I*insane to think I can fix AND upgrade an Audi for so cheap? *:P<br/></div>
<div>Am I asking for disaster extending these less expensive bags?</div>
<div><br/></div>
<div>I<span>*think*I*will install the bags and arms myself.*I*helped my friend install new shocks and springs on an old mercedes, and that was a much more involved job, so*I*am confident with that part of a car. also, my local euro shop would **** a brick if*I*asked them to install cheaper replacement parts AND a*modification*at the same time. If there is a problem with the Airbagit bags,*I'd*rather know how to handle the install myself rather than keep paying a shop to uninstall and install.</span></div>
<div><span><br/></span></div>
<div><b>Any comments or*guidance*is appreciated.</b> And yes,*I*know*I'm*new here, but flaming won't get us as a community of enthusiasts anywhere. If*I'm insane, then I expect some pretty good evidence to be presented :P</div>
<div><br/></div>
<div><b>Thanks!</b></div>
03-19-2013, 02:19 PM
#2
AudiWorld Member
Things to ask about those air bags would be will they fit over the shocks, will the OEM air lines work, will they bolt up to the suspension hat? I have a feeling that one or more of these will be tough to answer. Just so you have an idea of how the front air suspension goes together, here are some pics:
Here's a link to a good overview of all of the air suspension components:
http://www.volkspage.net/technik/ssp/ssp/SSP_243.pdf
Exploded view of parts:
Suspension hat:
Here's a link to a good overview of all of the air suspension components:
http://www.volkspage.net/technik/ssp/ssp/SSP_243.pdf
Exploded view of parts:
Suspension hat:
Last edited by G0to60; 03-19-2013 at 02:21 PM.
03-19-2013, 03:05 PM
#3
Lee, I'd be more than happy to calibrate it for you. In regards to the cheaper bags? I couldn't tell if you have purchased them or not yet? Either way, I can help you there as well..
Do you have the necessary tools? space? If you want, we could do them and the calibration in my garage. Let me know or PM me when you want man...
But, like GOto60 said, since they aren't either Arnott or OEM.. hopefully they wont have any fitment issues... I guess we'll see when we get to that point.
Do you have the necessary tools? space? If you want, we could do them and the calibration in my garage. Let me know or PM me when you want man...
But, like GOto60 said, since they aren't either Arnott or OEM.. hopefully they wont have any fitment issues... I guess we'll see when we get to that point.
03-19-2013, 03:48 PM
#4
Audiworld Junior Member
Thread Starter
Awesome! sent you a PM with some details. I haven't purchased the bags yet. Hoping some opinions on here or the other 'world' forum will sway me towards airbagit or arnott.
03-19-2013, 04:08 PM
#5
03-19-2013, 04:43 PM
#6
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I can't speak to the quality of those but here are some food for thought.
1. The cheaper bags comes with a 1 year warranty (I guess that is fine since they are half the price.) Arnott is a lifetime warranty.
2. The original Arnott bags I purchased ~4 years ago looked exactly like those, all metal. Both sides failed after 1.5 years. The warranty replacements I got were the current hard plastic. This doesn't really mean much but just sharing my experience.
3. Arnott is knnow. Cheaper brand........ It could be dangerous, you don't want your bags blowing out on you (I'm not talking about a slow leak).
1. The cheaper bags comes with a 1 year warranty (I guess that is fine since they are half the price.) Arnott is a lifetime warranty.
2. The original Arnott bags I purchased ~4 years ago looked exactly like those, all metal. Both sides failed after 1.5 years. The warranty replacements I got were the current hard plastic. This doesn't really mean much but just sharing my experience.
3. Arnott is knnow. Cheaper brand........ It could be dangerous, you don't want your bags blowing out on you (I'm not talking about a slow leak).
03-20-2013, 01:21 PM
#7
Audiworld Junior Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for the pictures! They say they are Original Equipment replacements, so I'm assuming they are modeled directly after the OEM parts.
I went ahead and ordered the Airbagit ones. If it is a mistake, at least it's a mistake everyone on here can learn from. If not, we all have a cheaper option for these cars. at half the price I just can't believe they are aging to be half as good, so it's worth the gamble I think.
I went ahead and ordered the Airbagit ones. If it is a mistake, at least it's a mistake everyone on here can learn from. If not, we all have a cheaper option for these cars. at half the price I just can't believe they are aging to be half as good, so it's worth the gamble I think.
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03-20-2013, 01:31 PM
#9
Thanks for the pictures! They say they are Original Equipment replacements, so I'm assuming they are modeled directly after the OEM parts.
I went ahead and ordered the Airbagit ones. If it is a mistake, at least it's a mistake everyone on here can learn from. If not, we all have a cheaper option for these cars. at half the price I just can't believe they are aging to be half as good, so it's worth the gamble I think.
I went ahead and ordered the Airbagit ones. If it is a mistake, at least it's a mistake everyone on here can learn from. If not, we all have a cheaper option for these cars. at half the price I just can't believe they are aging to be half as good, so it's worth the gamble I think.
Congrats!! Let me know when you want to wrench on your baby.
03-27-2013, 08:30 AM
#10
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I would recommend getting 12 new screws to mount the new air bag to the suspension hat, 6 per side. Chances are they are stripped at the head and you will not be able to evenly torque then...thus not a good air seal to the top O ring. That is where all my problems and leaks where. I could tell someone tried to fix in the past, but ignored the 6 screws on the driver side. They are only $1.25 a piece at the dealer. Part number is 912-032-02 and has a larger head to prevent stripping. Obviously, Audi realized this as it is the only option and the Audi parts guy took a while to figure it out. It will have to be ordered in advance and will take a few days to come in.