Well, I am finally going to replace the shocks on my Q7. Back one is bad and going to change them all out. I was so hoping that a complete strut set would be a quick change out in my driveway but now one except like Unity has a complete kit. I have ordered the B4 kit from FCPeuro but have to change out the springs. Anyone have any luck finding complete sets already put together to quickly swap them out? 145K on the beast now.

No reviews on the off name brand kits so I dont want to try them. Only other option is to replace the back ones with these kits ones and see how they ride before changing out the fronts. I am also changing out the upper arms since i have to remove them to do the fronts anyhow.

Thanks,

 

I can't speak to the quality of the 'quick-strut' format or availability for this high-end vehicle, but I've used the KYB quick-struts on several vehicles in past, and the spring rates & ride height have always been off after installing those type. They weren't completely terrible, but no where near as good as the OE spring rates. The biggest thing a quick-strut has going for it is the relative ease of a DIY installation since it is pre-assembled. On this car, I'd go with the Bilstein B4 setup...I mean, how often do you have to swap them out, right?

Don't forget the new strut mount bearings, new urethane bump stops, dust boots, and the possibility of adding on some small booster springs in the rear if you tow with yours.

 

Yeah I purchased the B4 kit with the mounts bolts and etc. but did not get the springs. I was going to move them over to the new struts as the existing springs look really good and not visible rust or cracks in the paint. I will use the b4 and try to move over the spring tomorrow if its not a wash out rain. Thanks for the info. Just looked really easy with the complete setup already together.

 

Yeah, I used those quick-struts primarily trying to save time/money back in the day, as I had found a real deal on them, and both the cars needed springs. I'd also had both Bilstein & KYB bare struts/shocks before on other cars and really liked both, but for this tank, my money is definitely going to the Bilstein B4s...keeping the German in my bada$$ German panzer-wagon.

 

FCS also has complete assemblies. There were some reports in other car brands that the FCS sits a little low, as if they measured the height based on old assemblies. I therefore spent for Bilstein B4's, new mounts, aftermarket dust boots, new nuts and bolts, as well as sway bar links. I did not see B6 available, and between Bilstein and Sachs I would definitely pick Bilstein over and over.

If you already got the B4's then just take the assemblies to a local shop, see if they give you a better deal than $40 an assembly. Make sure the mount orientation is exactly as the old assemblies. I have not tried turning the mounts afterwards, therefore I am not sure if that would be possible. My rear control arm bushings were so hardened, that trying to press them down as in FSM was real hard. I had to loosen the inner upper arm mounting bolts. Keep new hardware on hand, as these are torqued to yield.

I used TRW front UCAs. These came with a new ball joint nut, but not the mounting bolts and nuts. I picked up new ones from the local dealer. Torqued to yield. I remove the UCAs after pulling out the front struts. The two rubber bushings were shot. I guess I could have just replace the bushings. They pushed out easily when I practiced on the old UCAs. The ball joint and boot were still fine, could have just replaced the bushings. But you won't know until you checked them.

The front lower control arm hydro bushing may have failed by now. If you can press in a new bushing that would be about $30. A new Lemforder LCA would be about $350. I would not use cheap control arms on this heavy beast. I have not done anything regarding LCAs yet.

https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/...assembly,15174

 

Take pictures of the OE assemblies, how the springs seat/anchor, and their orientation on car, etc. Getting it right the first time is where you save your time on this project.

If you do swap the upper/lower arms, realize those are made of aluminum and worth some significant bucks at the recycler...don't just toss them out w/the garbage. FCP Euro sells those also in the Lemforder/TRW versions, IIRC in both a partial and full kit.

 

Yep, ordered the upper control arms. Was like 300 for both uppers. I ordered the strut kits but it only send 2 mounts? I was going to order two more to have on hand. Pulling up the audi diagram of the front and rear to see if I do indeed need 4 total mounts.

Thanks for all the info!

 

The FCP front and rear shock kit lists only two mounts (LEM-3542901), but in the description it says two front mounts and two rear mounts. That must be an error, either in the description or the quantity. You will need FOUR of the same, which was what I used. I am not sure why they only said two in the kit.

My shock (strut) bumpers were all still good, but the dust boots fell apart. FCP only included two front shock bumpers and NO dust boots. Very weird. I used aftermarket dust boots, they will not clip into the mounts like the factory ones, but worked fine placed over the shock bumpers. The bumpers will stay at the top near the mounts, and that holds the dust boots up.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/aud...-7l8413032ekt2

 

Also, these videos were helpful to me. I did not need to remove the front drive axles, but do be careful not to over extend the CV joints by supporting the knuckle with a floor jack and wood block.

 

Eurowise has a number of urethane bushings if you're interested in such things....