because the tools for the front struts have to be the right ones.
I made my own and ended up breaking two thin-wall sockets, stripped one hex key socket adapter, and had to cut the angled end off of a 7mm hex key (no easy matter for case hardened steel) to fit my torque wrench. Spent waaaay tooooo much time trying to break & set 50 ft-lb nuts with miniature (1/4") sockets & wrenches. Never again.
My extremely set suggestion is to get the Hazet kit (or anybody else's that works the same way) and don't fart around with anything else that will waste your time.
Another surprise was that the Koni FSDs don't have a 7mm insert. They have a 6mm. I was all set up with my makeshift 7mm and had to reset all my adaptors & sockets to fit the 6mm.
Also the FSD struts do not stay collapsed when the rod is pushed in as in the OEM struts. It snaps back out fighting you at every turn when you try to put those suckers back in. I had to tie a wire around the threaded end and compress the strut and tie off the wire around the base to keep it collapsed so I could install the plates, bearings & bushings. It took me a while fighting with the strut to figure out what to do with it. After installation I released and removed the wire.
Needless to say, I'm glad to be finished. Now that I've learned how to tackle the problems that arose, it would take me less than half the time to do it again.
Here are some pictures of the final assembly for the front suspension (I've already posted the rear suspension installation which was a breeze by comparison).

Front Suspension Driver's side:

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/105167/img_2548_front_suspension_drivers_side_small.jpg">

Front Suspension Passenger's side:

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/105167/img_2549_front_sustension_passengers_side_small.jp g">

Lowered car:

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/105167/img_2552_lowered_car_small.jpg">

Front Drop only 1/2":

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/105167/img_2553_front_drop_only_0.5_in_small.jpg">

Car Backlit by Sunset:

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/105167/img_2555_car_backlit_by_sunset_small.jpg">

BC

 

lookin good, should settle down a bit...

 

I sure hope so. They say that the FSDs tend to ride higher so we'll see.

 

bodies this weekend. 180psi that does not stay compressed...

 

btw - looks like you're ready for new rotors pretty soon.

 

Ditto that....The lip looks HUGE!

 

It's the next logical extension. I'm sure it won't be long now.

 

And how does it ride???

 

1) ride height
2) Installation

BC

 

The ride is not quite as soft as the OEM, which is alright with me, and the suspension tightens up more and more the harder you push into a turn. Looks like the best of all worlds. I'll let you know as I get it out and push it harder and harder.
So far it is a really big improvement on the stock.

BC