Audi A4 (1995 - 2000) - 1997 1.6 suspension problem

Honest John Back Room » Technical matters
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Sun 22 Jun 2008 20:25
1997 1.6 suspension problem - toojohnny
Hi, I bought a 97 A4 a couple of weeks ago. I've been looking at the back thinking it was a bit low, but assuming it was normal. But I noticed today a clear difference on the back. The offside rear sits about 3-4 inches lower than the nearside (vehicle unladen obviously) Don't ask why it's taken me this long to see it's uneven.....

Is this likely to be a simple worn shocks issue? The vehicle has done 90k, and the shocks look like the original ones. Is 11 years a fair run for these?

I'd be grateful for any advice.

:o)

Edited by Dynamic Dave on 22/06/2008 at 22:08

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Sun 22 Jun 2008 20:30
1997 1.6 Audi A4 suspension problem - adverse camber
broken spring more likely.
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Sun 22 Jun 2008 23:41
1997 1.6 suspension problem - toojohnny
Thanks for that. But the springs look ok to be honest. I would have thought a problem with the springs would have been visually more obvious than shocks?
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Mon 23 Jun 2008 09:40
1997 1.6 suspension problem - adverse camber
and a 4 inch difference isnt obvious? or even 4 cm for that.

The shocks dont have much impact on ride height, they are there to damp out oscillations. Its the springs that set the ride height.

Have a good look at the springs -they do break.

Other possibility is that one side has the wrong spring fitted. If genuine springs then if you clean them up you will see different coloured spots on them - both rears should be same and the dealer will be able to tell you what you should have (the suspension code is in the page of numbers at the front of the service book - also on one of the vin plates I think.
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