André

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/16661/Amortisseur.jpg"></center><p>I know this posting would better be in the A4 section, but boy racers are probably better experienced on this kind of modifications.

I am thinking for an alternative way to lower an A4, other than installing lowering springs.

I am waiting for the delivery of my 2001 A4 2.8QM. I ordered the non-sport suspension for the ride. But I agree with almost everyone else on this group that the car need's badly to be lowered.

For the front suspension, I thought of shortening the extension stem that connects to the control arm (see drawing). For example, a 1.0" modification would give approximately 1.5" lowering. This modification would lower the car without sacrificing on the ride quality, as full suspension travel would remain unchanged and because the stock (shortened connector) shocks and springs are being kept original.

Because I did not have a chance to closely examine the suspension hardware, I don't know yet if this modification is possible with this car. Also, I do not have a solution yet for the rear suspension! (but trust me on that )... I have done these kinds of modifications on previous cars with good results. I agree that it requires a bit of planning and calculations, but it's fairly easy to do for a machine/welding shop and a lot cheaper than buying springs and shocks (I'll make my drawings available to others interested if modifications are feasible).

As opposed to the installation of lowering springs, this solution allows the wheel to travel deeper into the wheel well and needs to check for available clearance before the tire hits something.

The questions are: Has anyone tried this solution on the A4? Has anyone measured the available wheel travel clearance front and rear before bottoming onto the wheel well (or anything else) on a stock non-sport suspension?

Please comment. Pictures of suspensions are welcome to let me continue dreaming with my crazy ideas before I get a chance to examine my own A4!!!

Žob

Just do the job right and get springs.

dosturbos

you will retain full suspension travel with this method where lowered springs take some travel away from you in exchange for lowered ride height.

I am not about to trade in my coilovers for this, but it seems possible to pull this off without any real issues that I can think of if it were done right.

Žob

It's a really thing piece of metal as is and you will structurally weaken it. Might as just as well hacksaw of some spring then to lower it even further...jeez

dosturbos

Albiet before assembly I am sure. If you section out of the bottom and weld it, it could be "done". Again, I am not stating I would do this either, just stating the technical feasibilty of the project exists should Andre' want to venture into the realm of custom lowered shocks on his own.

It is kind of a silly spacer at the bottom of the shock housing if you think about it, it has to be there simply to attain ride height.

Žob

hand done one. Do whatever, it's your car

André

I am very well aware that it would be impossible to weld directly on the shock housing. Remember that this spacer is relatively distant from the working mechanism of the shock and with proper care the heat can be kept to a minimum.

I know be experience that it can be done (if the A4 has the available clearance for the wheel!?!?).

I only wanted to share the idea to those who think that lowering springs and shocks are an unacceptable compromise.

André

André

... By the way, if you hacksaw some of the spring to lower then you'll end up with a similar solution as a lowering spring. It will become shorter and harder. i.e. firmer ride and less travel!...
André

MiniMadMan

Cutting them and then trying to re-piece them will weaken the shocks and could cause a huge problem with your car.. Say one day your driving down the road hit a huge pothole and that weld doesn't hold.. I don't see how you could spend all this money on a car and then want to put POS mods on it.. Advice if your gonna put mods on the car do it right and buy new shocks and new springs.. I wouldn't even advise putting springs on the stock non-sport springs b.c they are not engineered to be compatible.. If you still wanna do it, i advise you go buy a honda civic this way you won't be soo pissed when you 13,000 car falls apart..

ChaoticS4

There are 5 positions for the perch..

Your idea doesn't lower your car... it just shorten's the stroke of the shock... height has to do with the position of the springs... not the length of the shock's shaft.