Rear suspension a little low

Bish

Member
Hi guys.

I have always noticed that my rear suspension is very low in comparison to other A2s. I know the 1.4 TDi is a little high upfront but my rear suspension does look low.

This has been exaggerated in the fact that I have just fitted Audi TT 16" wheels with 205/50 tyres on and when going over large speed bumps it rubs when it drops down of the bump at teh back end.

The springs where changed a few months ago as they had both snapped. Would it be worth changing the dampers aswell, would this level out the ride height at all??? I know these tyres are pushing it on size but other members have fitted them and been fine.

Here are some pics:

IMG_4761.JPGIMG_4762.JPGIMG_4763.JPG
 
A few suggestions -
There are several version of the rear springs - are you sure the correct ones were fitted.
Although they don't affect ride height, crumbling rear bump stops are a common problem and would contribute to the speed hump issue.
Rear dampers don't affect ride height either (although gas pressurised dampers will on the front) but if worn, will allow greater spring travel over the speed bumps

If you provide a measurement from the wheel centre to the underside of the wheel arch lip we can compare this with our cars

Cheers Spike
 
Thanks for the response Spike.

I am not sure which ones are fitted......is there anyway of telling as it sounds like the main culprit to me.? The back end has always look saggy (I replaced springs as soon as I got the car) so it could be them.

Measurements from centre to wheel arch lip are:

Drivers Side: 321mm

Passenger Side: 330mm

Slight difference as the road is on a slight lean I think!!??

Would worn out top mounts at the rear lower it or are they solid ones? I notice the tyres I have (205/50 R16) are not on the definitive tyre list but I have seen plenty of people have them fitted here with no issues and recently saw a picture with plenty of space between the wheel arch and tyre from another member.
 
Beginning to think the generic springs i fitted must be wrong.

My axle code loading code is OYG, which is number 7 I think.

Does anybody know the colours/dots for this??
 
Hi did you fit new top and bottom rubber/PUR spring perches? i'm led to believe there is in fact a difference in these rubbers from a sport to non sport. I know when i changed my ones that the originals were in poor shape.
good luck mike
 
Chaps thank you for the info on this one.

Is it best for me to go to Audi to get some new springs? Do you think they would be able to supply different spring rates?

Thanks Bish
 
Audi will be able to use your registration to establish which springs are correct for your car. Rear springs from Audi are about £100 for the pair.

Tom
 
Made several calls today to various dealers.

Many came in at £160 inc VAT but Chris at Cambridge Audi has done me a deal for 2 rear springs (axle load 7) for £108 inc VAT and delivery. Lets hope this cures the problem, I am sure it will.
 
When you last fitted the rear springs, did you renew the soft packing material at both ends?

Tom
 
Nope but I will this time!!!

Serves me right for buying cheap as chips springs from Euro Car Parts with no load rating at all!
 
The soft PUR bits that sit at either end of the springs deteriorate over time, causing the springs to dig deeper into the PUR, which in turn causes the rear end of the car to sit slightly too low. It's possble that your existing springs are of the correct length but that you've got this problem.

Tom
 
I have checked them and they seem fine (I checked this first) but I will replace them anyway to be 100% sure!
 
I know it’s an old post but I just fitted the same wheels and tyres and my rear is scraping like mad! Oooeer!

You can barely get a finger between tyre and arch.

I’ve ordered new spring mounts - top and bottom - but am expecting a horror show when I have a look behind the wheels (I never fitted them). Scared!


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I've got 195/55/16 winters on 16" SE rims that should be 8mm higher than yours if 10mm less wide and I've got easily 30+mm clearance (it's not overly high or low). Do you have sport springs on the rear, or are the spring seats (or springs themselves) knackered?
 
Mine are on TT rims so are nearer the edge of the wheel arch already.

I think either the spring is a little saggy (happens to us all) or the spacing rubbers have been broken down.

Rubber tops and bottoms ordered and I’ve also ordered a spring assist to reduce the spring sag a bit too. It’s a poly shape which acts like the bump stop but you fit it between the coils in the middle of the spring instead. It’s really for heavy rear loads like towing but I found when i took all my tools and spare wheel from the boot the scrubbing almost totally stopped so I do maybe have too much moose in the kaboose!


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