Steve Q

I also discovered I made a mistake regarding washers. I needed lock washers instead of normal ones.

Perfect thanks Steve 🙂 Will be good to get it all back together. A bit random, but I discovered bilstein UK based is in Leicester. Small world.

Thanks Steve 🙂 I've already trial fitted the bracket and suspension caps so I know they all fit with the new bolts. I have noticed though that the zinc coating seems to have come off the threads of the bolts. Is that normal? I've also rang kilen direct to get the exact part numbers for the springs I need. They do only heavy duty for the rear so I'll order them and standard for the front. I've also found a company who will strip a d powder coat the rear beam/axle and have offered to powder coat the new springs.

Christmas came early 🙂 Ordered new axle/beam brackets with bushes (one Lemforder and one meyle - it was cheaper this way rather than buying crap ones). Febi spring mounts. And all bolts.

Thanks Cliff

Sorry Steve for fretting.

Thank you Gareth

Hello Steve, I tried the company you recommended they don't have them. I've found a company that can provide high tenstile bolts if the correct size. But they're flat rather than pointy at the end. Will these work? I have found the full bracket kit with bolts for £180 but the company couldn't confirm if they were stretch bolts provided. I'd appreciate your advice if the normal flat end high tenstile bolts will be ok. Tearing my hair out with bolts as I dont want the axle falling out. This is the kit I could have ordered but they couldn't confirm if the bolts supplied are stretch bolts: https://ebay.us/m/njFykB This is what I've ordered: https://ebay.us/m/HU1YgI

Fantastic thank you so much Steve.

Thanks Steve I've emailed Kilen to confirm the heavy duty suspension springs fit my model. Fingers crossed they do 🤞 I'm finding that some bolts are now obsolete. I have the dimensions as per LLL parts, do you know anywhere that would sell them (generic bolt companies in thinking). Thank you.

I know what you mean. I've emailed both. If I can get heavy duty I'm guessing you'd recommend that ?

Thanks Steve. Sorry to be a pain with all this. Currently getting bits ordered. Got 4x suspension caps (febi) and going to get the Kilen springs ordered once I've got confirmation from them regarding part numbers. As I've found a pair which a listed as heavy duty, auto doc says they don't fit but I think they will.

Thanks Steve, I didn't know that about the 40% extra rule. I'll get Kilen springs thank you for the recommendation. Would bilstein b4 shocks be better with these springs than b6? True, I appreciate my area hasn't got a monopoly on speed humps etc.

Thanks Steve, I'll look at kilen springs for sports option. Auto doc only had the eibach pro kit as the alternative option for sports springs. From all accounts most sports suspension for the c5 is now obsolete. As well as the heavy duty springs. I did ask lll but they said he heavy duty ones are out of stock for my model. I know I keep discussing various options but I just want the car to be right. Especially as we e got lots of potholes and speed humps locally. Plus there's the extra weight of the 3rd row seats and tow pack. Just to add, I've researched kilen springs and found this: https://ebay.us/m/2ZykT0 They have the same number as sach? Are they the same company? https://www.ukpassats.co.uk/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=86870 The other option is bilstein b3 springs or will they be more firm and not as good as the kilens? Kilens are £20 cheaper for the pair compared to bilstein b3s. Very true.

Glad you got sorted.

Thanks Steve, So do away with the sport suspension (minus the b6 shocks) to raise ride height. As stock suspension was sport. I was thinking just improved brake performance. As I'm planning to change calipers etc anyway. Sorry for all the questions just trying to consider all options.

Thanks Steve, Trying to find stretch bolts now. That's good then, if you think the b6 will work with the 30mm drop with eibach. My worry is that the car would scrape on sports suspension which is a 20mm drop so dropping it later I crease further risk of damage. I guess the alternative is to do away with sports suspension and buy standard suspension instead to increase ride height to negotiate speed humps and rough roads. Or do I just get the eibach and bilsteins for the improvement but then fit raisers like this: SekSuspensionAudi A6 C5 Suspension Lift KitPolyurethane strut spacers. Leveling kit for Audi A6 C5 1997 -2004 2th generation. Raise the height of the car 20mm 30mm 40mm. Installation Hardware Included.Again I'd appreciate your thoughts on that. I know I'm going round the houses with making a decision but I want it to be right. If it makes any difference the A6 has the 3rd row seats in the boot and tow bar. Lemforder is what I'll order too 🙂 Got to get the calipers and hubs off. I'm considering bigger brakes if I can find any tat fit from other Audi models preferably.

Well you learn something new. Definitely looks like a cover missing. As it clips into the top of the recess where the hole is if that makes sense.

I'd ask the dealer about the key as I'm not sure. I've always bought aftermarket rubber mats and never had a problem. Boot wise, there's lots of different options such as hard boot trays, rubber boot liners, plastic stile ones that cover the sides/backs of seats etc. Not sure about the scuttle, but I'd recommend going back to the dealer and having a look at similar ones on the forecourt to see if they're the same. Interior lights shouldn't be a problem, if you were to change reverse lights to led as an example then this would throw up a bulb out warning unless you were to get error free ones. But as I say interior ones should be fine. I'd get it back in for the mirror to be looked at as there shouldn't be a difference between them.

Quite rare I think as it was £500 option under Audi exclusive paint if memory serves me right. Unless it was listed under custom paint then it was thousands, highly confident it wasn't custom though. For reference the point code is L39E

On the older ones there was a cable on the inside of the car behind the trim where the cap sits.

Tonights progress. Axle is out! (I've stupidly not measured it though for where it fits so I've made my life difficult when refitting 😬 Still got to get the calipers off but this will be easier now it's off the car. Axle sems in good condition so revamping the original is the best course of action I think. Axle bushes are shot as per pics. I'm thinking getting Lemforder ones, but I'd appreciate your input. Id be changing the bracket and bush as brackets show signs of damage. I believe the bolts are stretch bolts, can anyone confirm this? I'm debating whether to powder coat or use rustoleum or similar, I'd appreciate your thoughts. Please can anyone tell me where to source the axle clips for the brake lines etc? Also looking at the bilstein b6 iit says it's for standard height, is that going to be a problem with the eibach 300mm springs? Would koni shocks be better? Thank you all for your input so far its greatly appreciated 🙂

Welcome to the forum you'll find the members on here are a friendly and helpful bunch 🙂

Thanks so much Steve, Will do this. Would you recommend raptor paint or a different paint after using built hamber.

Thank you, I contacted LLL and they don't have the specific heavy duty ones for my A6. I thought about heavy duty as the car has he tow package and 7 seater option which both adds weight. Plus the area I live has terrible pot holes and speed humps. Happy to go with the sports option though as it's more original. Thank you for the walk through on the breaker bar. Hoping to get it off tomorrow.