[s-cars] Shocks and inserts - it's time to change 'em.

[Eric Phillips]

Fred,

I did a search for Sachs Advantage, and came up dry.  Do they go by
another name?

Or was my search half-baked?  I'll cop to the latter - I have been
termed "search-impaired" by members of this list.  ;)

Or, if you have a retailer you can recommend, then I'll go there for purchase.

Eric

On 7/15/07, Fred Munro <munrof at sympatico.ca> wrote:
> Eric;
>
> The Bilsteins will go in through the top.
>
> I just installed a set of Sachs Advantage shocks on the rear of my UrS6. I
> like them so much I've ordered a pair of front inserts. They give a nice
> smooth ride with excellent control - typical good German sports sedan
> handling. They are nowhere near as stiff as the Koni's I had in my UrS4 -
> but then the S4 handled like a go-kart with the Konis. The S6 is much more
> refined with the Sachs :).
>
> I plan on replacing the strut bearings as well, but I was going to do it
> with the struts in the car. I figure if I compress the spring and remove the
> insert, I should be able to disassemble and reassemble the strut in situ.
> I've never done this, so it should be an interesting weekend when I tackle
> it. I plan on a full alignment after the job is complete.
>
> Fred Munro
> '97 S6
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
> [mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com]On Behalf Of Eric Phillips
> Sent: July 15, 2007 2:05 PM
> To: Vincent Frégeac
> Cc: s-car-list at audifans.com
> Subject: Re: [s-cars] Shocks and inserts - it's time to change 'em.
>
>
> Thanks for the advice, Vincent.
>
> I also have heard that the Bilstein inserts cannot be installed
> through the top hole like the OEM ones - if I choose not to replace
> the strut bearing, and just the insert, what is the brand/type of the
> OEM replacement?
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Eric
>
> On 7/14/07, Vincent Frégeac <s.sikss at gmail.com> wrote:
> > Three words of advice:
> > - Torch: I don't know with the special Audi tool, but I've never managed
> to
> > move the inserts retaining cup with a pipe wrench without plenty of
> > penetrating oil _and_ plenty of heat. Last time, a propane torch was
> enough,
> > but the car was 8 years old, not 13. Small oxy-acetylene can now be found
> in
> > almost any part store and you'll certainly find other use for it on a '94
> > car.
> > - ABS Sensor: Bentley says to remove it but I've never manage to remove it
> > intact. Unplug it from inside the engine bay then pull the ABS cable and
> > leave the sensor attached when you pull out the suspension.
> > - Breaker bar: 3 feet minimum, six feet better, to pull the arm control
> > down. On reinstall, four hands make the job of inserting the ball joint
> pin
> > back into the hub much easier.
> >
> > Otherwise, tools are standard. A marker can help to mark the position of
> the
> > bolts at the top of the suspension. This way, you can have the alignment
> > almost on - mine was dead on - so the car won't have awkward reaction by
> the
> > time you have the alignment done.
> >
> > One last thing, you can't have an alignment done with tie-rod end, ball
> > joint or bushing shot. So the week-end before the suspension, it may be a
> > good idea to check all the suspension and direction links for play or
> > cracked rubber. Sway bar bushings are easy while-you're-at-it, tire-rod
> ends
> > and control arms are another story. They can be easy, or they can take the
> > entire week-end by themselves.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Vincent.
> >
> >
> > -----Message d'origine-----
> > De: s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com
> > [mailto:s-car-list-bounces at audifans.com] De la part de Eric Phillips
> > Envoyé: 14 juillet 2007 19:05
> > À: s-car-list at audifans.com
> > Objet: [s-cars] Shocks and inserts - it's time to change 'em.
> >
> > No, not on the S-car.  But it *is* a '94 100*S* Avant.  :)
> >
> > C4 is C4, so I figured I'd ask the guys who know.
> >
> > I want to replace the inserts, strut bearings, boots and shocks.  I'm
> > thinking Bilstein HD, but am willing to listen to reasons why I should
> > use a different brand.  I'm going to use this as an excuse to buy the
> > special Audi tool, instead of using a pipe wrench.
> >
> > What I need to know are all the "gotchas" from some folks who have
> > BTDT.  This is the wife's car, and I don't want it down for more than
> > a weekend, if I can help it.  So I want all the tools, parts, lube,
> > etc. that I needfor this job BEFORE I begin.
> >
> > Who wants to take first crack at this one?  :)