Suspicious suspension

[chris evans]

My car doesn't sit level and I need help. The front of the car has had new, standard springs, shock absorbers and wishbones but is significantly lower than the back - the rear looking higher than normal. I've taken it to a couple of different garages who are convinced that the front has been lowered even after I explain that it has standard stuff fitted. Could it some how have long springs on the back, pushing the front down? Any ideas anybody?

[Magnet]

Hello Chris,

Welcome to the forum, and sorry you are having an issue with the A3.

Unfortunately we are going to need some more information before we can offer meaningful assistance:- 

Front springs etc. fitted during your ownership? -and when? 

Did the car sit 'odd' before they were fitted? - e.g. did the car sit high at the back? 

Source/make of parts used? 

Can you take measurements from the wheel centres to the underside of the arches for each wheel when the car is sitting on level ground? 

If this car sat high at the rear when you bought it, do you know who the previously owners were - company or private from new etc.? 

Kind regards,

Gareth.

[chris evans]

Just measured it at 340mm both sides at the front and 380mm o/s/r and 390mm n/s/r. The front has always been low (on standard equipment) but the drivers side had dropped even further. I changed the springs to find they where in good shape so changed the drivers side shock that brought the height up to match the passenger side- which is still low. I personally did the work around 10 days ago (I have no history of any work being done to the rear) I've not jumped it over any hump back bridges or through any massive pot holes. I have just taken the attached pictures so is a true representation of how it sits right now with standard springs and shock all round. 

Also, when the car was being inspected for this fault the mechanic pointed out that the wishbones are angled up, which is characteristic of the car being lowered. I can't get a photo of it but this crude drawing should example what i mean.

[Magnet]

Hello Chris,

Many thanks for the additional detail. 

What I can do tomorrow is the measure our 2006 5 door A3 whenI can get it on level ground and let you know what that comes out at.

To me, it seems as if the front is decidedly low, rather than the back being too high. Has the work you have done increased the front height at all from what it was? 

Wishbones being modified to lower the ride height? Could be I suppose, but would have thought the back would have had some lowering modifications as well. Like the drawing, but wonder if it might just be thought of as breeching the forum etiquette! 

One point that comes to mind Chris is whether the top suspension mountings are as intact as they should be, resulting in the legs moving up in the mounts. If they are OK, it's easy to question if the new springs are the correct for the model and year, and indeed if the old ones were too. 

Re previous ownership - was it low at the front when you bought it? If so would it be worthwhile contacting the previous owner to see if he knows if any modifications were carried out on the ride height? 

Will be back to you tomorrow with some measurements. 

Kind regards,

Gareth.

[chris evans]

I'm pretty sure it's always been like that since I had it, around 18 months ago. The strut tops are in good order and all the mounts and factory and straight to the cross member, hubs are straight, wishbones are new, standard suspension and the strut mounting points are clean, rust free and all the original paint is intact. I'm really stumped. I could just lower the back but it's not really fixing the problem. 

The two of the car are from august '17.

[chris evans]

So I found this poster. A golf IV has the same rear height as I measured on mine. Maybe it's got golf springs on the back.

[Magnet]

Hello Chris,

Just measured our 2006 A3 5 door at approx. 375mm. front and back. Approx. due to not being guaranteed level, but close enough for comparison.

So yours is 35mm (1.5in) too low at the front, and effectively correct at the rear ( slightly high due to front being too low).

I would ignore any possibility of the back being at fault - your problems are front associated - and indeed visually shows this. 

Not sure about your table of figures, since I don't know (but guess) if they are talking spring lengths rather than wheel centre to arch measurements.

Back to my original question:- Where did you source your parts from - main dealer or aftermarket? 

Perhaps being simplistic, but this could be as simple as incorrect length springs being supplied, and the only way you are going to assess this is to find out who the spring supplier was (if aftermarket) and contact their technical department to see if there was an alternative length for this model. If purchased from VAG then same applies via. part numbers and alternatives. 

Be interested to know how you get on. 

Personally, I would not ignore the potential benefits of contacting the previous owner ( since you say it was like this when you bought it) to see if there is any valuable information available there. 

Good luck Chris. Keep us posted.

Kind regards,

Gareth.

[chris evans]

Update. I've been to several specialist to investigate this and no one can help beyond offering to fit me up with some coil overs. Today I took it to my sister's workshop for a free alignment (nice when you have family in the trade) and her boss took a look as it's been a topic of conversation. The front looks good, he said. At the rear however.... both springs are in good condition but he recommended I change them for a matching pair of original springs. I'm not sure what cars they're from but neither look like the pictures I googled or even similar to each other. I should have taken some pics to show. I'll post them when they are off the car and next to each other 

Rear springs will be the job for the next nice day.

[Magnet]

Well Chris, all I can wish you is good luck and a trust in the opinion that the rear is currently riding high and your wallet dieting will sort it out. 

As you know, I believe the rear ride height is as you would expect it, but as you will appreciate, all opinions on here are given without an opportunity to to actually assess the vehicle in question.

Logically, I cannot see why replacing springs at the rear where the rear height is within expectations, is going to raise the front height - which is currently riding low! 

It's your money Chris, and obviously your call, but if it were me, and I wanted to throw money at this, then I would be first replacing the front springs with ones purchased from Audi, but as I keep repeating (sorry to bore) I would most certainly be attempting to talk with the previous keeper first to gain any prior knowledge of the history of this thing before even opening my wallet. 

Good luck.

Kind regards,

Gareth.

 

[chris evans]

Ok Gareth, I maybe have been getting carried away with all my spannering. I will get to audiscuss for a full set and do them all- any ballpark figure of what they will charge me? I'm not really sure how I'd go about getting in touch with the previous owner.

[Magnet]

Hello Chris,

I really don't want to get you to change you mind, but just to question the logic which has led you to make your decision. Logic is:- back sits about right, front sits low, so why play around and spend money on the rear? 

Anyway, if you are now rethinking this, it might be worth thinking about replacing the front springs with ones bought direct from a VAG dealer. If it were me, I would just do the fronts first and see what happens. My way of working is to change one thing at one time and 'test' , otherwise you will never know which of the more-than-one component change has sorted the problem. 

If it helps, I have used Rainsworth Skoda (somewhere in your end of the country) for Audi parts since they will often give you a discount. Always ask. They operate on eBay as the Skoda Parts Shop from memory. Mail Oder is not a problem to them. Check chassis numbers with them to ensure you get the correct springs. 

Checking with previous keeper re.  any information they can give you about how long it's been low at the front and if they know why - modifications? Etc. I would most certainly have a go at this before doing anything else.

How to do this? Front page of V5 lists previous keeper's name and address. Access the BT directory enquiries on line system and input the detail and see if it comes up with a telephone number. If not, an old fashioned letter and SAE might work. 

Good luck Chris,

Kind regards,

Gareth.