Audi allroad Suspension Questions

indoor79

I agree with you: one of the things that I liked a lot about the allroad is the air suspension. Even if it is a lot of trouble I still like it.I already replaced one of the airsping and the 2nd one is going now. But I think that it would be easier and smarter to get a S4 avant(biturbo) at that point if you don't want the air suspension but like the wagon style. Unless you didn't do your homework on alroads before you bought it: you have about 95% chance the airsprings(mostly on front end) will fail before 100k miles.

shawn39

I need rear shocks for my 2001 Audi allroad. Are the shocks and air spring seperate parts or the same parts. Can I put an aftermarket shock on it and how difficult is it to change. My brother-in-law is a gm mechanic and he said he can do it with with me. Any suggestions for changing these shocks?
Thanks

indoor79

yes the shocks and the air springs are separate. but arnott came up with an adaptor for billistein sport shocks and you can buy the shocks only (I believe it is $400 for both rear shocks and adaptors) I bought mine for the front. They are awesome! If you think it is expensive you can try to find oem shocks. I found some oem shocks on line but I don't think they were cheaper than billistein.
why do you think you have to replace them?

shawn39

The back end is really bouncing. I can put my knee on the rear bumper and get it bouncing pretty good and it continues to bounce up and down about 5 or 6 more times after you stop. Pretty sure it's the shocks. The whole air spring system with the exception of the rear shocks and rear air springs were replaced only about 25k ago by the previous owner.
When you order the billisten sport shocks from Arnott do they came with the adapter or do you have to order them as well? I did some reading on this forum and did see Arnott mentioned in some past threads. Thanks for the response, I appreciate it.

indoor79

Sometimes the bouncing is the symptom of bad air springs(the rubber bladders). You would also notice the rear of car lower than the front...But it could be the shocks. Here is the link: http://www.arnottindustries.com/part_AUDI_Air_Suspension_Parts_yid17_pid124_gid4- 83.html And it comes with the adaptors (the aluminum sleeves in the picture)

indoor79

this is for rear shocks: http://www.arnottindustries.com/part_AUDI_Air_Suspension_Parts_yid17_pid124_gid4- 84.html

shawn39

Thanks for the link, I will contact them. The car is sitting nice and level so I am guessing that it's the shocks. The air system seems to be working perfectly right now and as I said it's all basically new with the exception of the rear shocks so that's what I'm guessing it is.
Cheers

outy

i have just replaced my compressor as it was loud, and i thought that would solve the problem with it running so much, but it comtinues to run more often than it should. 2 years ago i had the front bags replaced. the car drops slightly in the back drivers side when parked but not very much. (not like the front when those bags went) i have had someone do the soap test onthe rear bags and they said "no leaks' is there something else i am missing before i go and just replace the rear left bag?

Dondanger

Could be the control unit in the boot. My back drivers side dropped and I was just about to replace the bag when I took it to Audi to check, they said it was the control unit (£650) and once they had changed that then it could be the bag, the compressor or both. At this point I decided to bite the bullet and buy the Arnott coil and spring conversion kit - as I love the allroad and want to keep her without having persistent suspension problems looming. Even with this kit it will be significantly higher than the A6 and high enough to get through snow and bad roads, fierce road humps etc. It's just been ordered so I'll let y'all know how it goes!

outy

where is the control unit and what does it look like? it does seem that there is some sort of malfunction as opposed to a real leak.

manster

I'd like to know where the electronic control unit for an 2001Allroad Automatic trans is located. Mine does not seem to be functioning. Any other thoughts as to the cause of the malfunction would also be appreciated.

dlaustin

It's located in the left rear fender and can be seen by looking up from under the car behind the left rear wheel. Also, I believe you can see it from the trunk if you remove cover for the toolbox and the GPS unit. Without reviewing the manual, I don't know the best way to access the assembly inasmuch as I have never had a problem with mine.

manster

Got it, immediately behind the inner fender. Am I correct to assume that the aluminum tank below the tool box/GPS is an expansion tank for the air suspension system?

kambei

I've had to replace both front air bladders twice on my 2002 Allroad (103,000 miles), and also replaced the compressor. Consequently, I'm very interested in anyone's experience with the coil spring conversion kit: How does the car handle and ride? Thanks.

augustom

Yes, The aluminum tank is an expansion tank for the compressed air, so the compressor does not have to turn on all the time for minor adjustments. Besides the eletronic control unit you also have an air distribution switch (which the eletronic unit controls) which is the switch responsible to deliver air to each individual bag. This unit is placed under the car next to the compressor. One air hose comes from the expansion tank to this unit and four hoses leave the unit to each individual bag. A leak (although rare) on any of these hoses could be a problem, worth checking specially if you use car washes that spray the bottom of the car.

manster

I have an '01 with 106k on it. Bags and compressor have been fine. However, the control module failed and must be replaced as the suspension cannot be locked for lifting the car without a functioning controller. If the car is lifted, the air come out of the suspension.

As to the Arnott coil conversion, the local shop that services my car installed a set recently for another customer. They reported that the installation went smoothly, the car sat level at about level 2 and that the ride was fine. No report on handling. The one problem they did report was associated eliminating the air suspension system which caused the suspension warning light to come on and an alarm to sound each time the car is operated. Arnott' instructions for disabling the indicator light and alarm caused the check engine light comes on. In some states, Rhode Island is one, a car cannot pass a safety inspection if the check engine light is on. The only alternative is to live with the suspension system warning light and alarm. So, one warning light or another will be on.

When my air spring assemblies fail, I may replace the OEM parts with Arnott's air system parts which carry a lifetime warranty.

manster

thanks, the air suspension system and compressor seemed to have been working fine until the control module failed, i.e., warning light came on and vehicle level would not move from level 1. After about a month of driving the control module malfunctioning we needed to lift the car to replace tires. The suspension would not lock and the bladders lost air while the car was off the ground. I'm now concerned that the bladders were damaged driving the car to the repair shop. We'll find out when the car come out of the shop.

shawn39

I have a 2001 allroad. Suspension warnign light went on. I'm not loosing air at all and the car is staying at it's height for a few days now since the light has come on. Problem is that I can't adjust the height now. Is this a warning light for the conreol module. Anyone one know where to get parts, the cost and how technical it is to fix?
Thanks

indoor79

If you have a friend with a vag-com scanning tool it would help a lot...But you can also visually inspect the height suspension sensors. One of them might be dead/beoken. Also try to lock/unlock the suspension a few times and try to hear if the compressor makes any noise. The compressor might be shot... One other thing you can do is measure all four wheel heights(from the very top of tire to the center of fender flare above tire) They should all be the same hight...

manster

I bought a control module from Shokan and everything is back to normal. That is until the bolt that holds the timing belt idler pulley in place broke resulting in bent valves. TALK ABOUT A POOR DESIGN.

shawn39

How much did you end up paying for the control module manster? I don't know anyone that has a vag-com so I guess I will have to take it in to have it looked at. I can't adjust the suspension at all. It wont let me put it into jack mode or take it out of level 3. Compressor is only about 6 months old, the guys I bough it off of just had it replace around 10000 mi ago?

manster

I paid $385 plus shipping.

shebe

when left at level 3 no leaking or reduction in height
driving over 80km/hr will drop continually to bottom/flashing light at 1 and will not come back up unless I stop turn off the car and restart. Even then it comes up with difficulty.
An independent Audi repair shop has suggested replacing the airbags.
Could the problem also be the control module and or the compressor or all of the above. Cost estimate is about 3000$.
Do authorized Audi Dealers have any way of testing to determine exactly what the problem is?
What about going to spring suspension as an alternative?
Any help would be appreciated. I live in Northern Ontario

David

augustom

Its not you compressor since the car goes back up after you turn it on, its not your bags since once filled they remain that way.
Could be control module or some level sensor (you have one in each wheel) or maybe just a bad wire connection. One way of testing is raise so you can be under the car (by the wheels on a platform) turn on the car, begin at level 3, and manually set to level two, the car should lower, listen for the compressed air leaving the suspension system, check if it stopped at level two or went all the way, if so check all sensors for lose or cut wires. If nothing evident go to an Audi to check the control module.

DONT GO TO SPRINGS, if you plan to do that change cars, for an A4 or A6 Avant.

augustom

One thing that I just saw on your post was that it goes back up with dificulty, to check the bags put your car at level2, if it stays there, and then measure the height at each wheel, let it overnight and measure again in the morning. Any large diference means you have a leaking bag on that corner, if they are all lower then it is something else.

kambei

Why do you say "DONT GOT TO SPRINGS"? I've put 105,000 miles on my Allroad and the single unsatisfactory aspect of the car is the airbag system. I've replaced five bags plus the compressor. I am hoping that someone who has converted to a conventional spring and strut system will tell me how well it works, because I'm not going to spend any more money on the airbags.

indoor79

it is the air spring. I had the same situation. Park it in level 1 or 2 and put some soap and water around the air spring/bladder. You need a good light and a mirror to see behind it. It should make bubbles right away.
I drove my car like that for 3 months and only got worse. To the point where in level 2 you could literally hear the air coming out. But in level 3 it would stay up for months. So I avoided highways and going over 50miles/h. In the winter the hole gets bigger also for some reason...
Get an arrnot bag and do it yourself. It's fairly easy. I would help you for a beer

nellyccc

I have a 2001 2.5 TDi Automatic Allroad with an unusual suspension problem. Instead of the usual problem where the bags leak, I had the opposite problem whereby all four bags were stuck on full!.

When starting the car the top green light would flash which would indicate that the sensors were still doing their job in telling the car to release pressure in the system, but nothing happened. I even tried driving at 70 MPH on the motorway to see if the speed sensor worked, it did i.e. the top two lights flashed but it was still stuck on the top setting.

I suspected that the compressor was at fault, so I had a replacement one shipped from Arnott Industries. After fitting it there was no change to the problem (no power to the compressor and still stuck at full height)

I decided to disconnect the air hoses manually at the valve block. Firstly I disconnected the yellow connection to the pressure reservoir which emptied the tank but had no effect on the suspension so with the aid of a colleague disconnected the air line to each of the four air springs to level them out manually.

I am now in the position whereby when I switch the ignition on, the warning light on the dash is on constantly (I seem to remember that it used to flash for a while and then become solid) the lowest green light in the centre console is flashing as the system is calling for air. There is no power to the new compressor and after using a friend’s VAG.com it has a fault stating that there is a short on the solenoid which I thought was on the new compressor.

After obtaining a wiring diagram for the suspension I understand that there is a main 40AMP fuse and relay supplying the compressor. Having looked through the forum I understand that it could be on the relay panel (driver’s side, behind the micro central electric panel). I have looked at my relay panel but it doesn’t look like the one on the diagram that I found.

Does anybody out there know where the main fuse and relay located?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

augustom

The reason I say "Don´t go to Springs" is simple, 1st: you lose resale value since you are changing the original specs of the car. 2nd, The allroad, besides having the air suspension, is also a heavier car because of extra underbody protection for its off-road capabilities. If you take away the off-road capability by taking away the adjustable suspension, why then keep carring the extra weight?
The A6 Avant is exactly the same car, swapping cars makes more sence.

duckrock

Hi, I have a 2003 Allroad with 70k miles on it. I bought it for $21k instead of the $27k bluebook because the dealer and I (it had 49k miles at the time) both knew of the horrible reputation of the leaking and expensive airbags. As soon as mine started leaking, predictably at 70k miles, I immediately replaced all bags with Arnott Coil Over Spring conversion.
The residual value on allroads is horrible regardless, you have to love the car. Well, now I know that I will NEVER come out to see my left front slumping, right front slumping, rear left slumping, rear right slumping or burn out my air compressor or fry my computer because they are all GONE. If you switch cars you will pay a lot and not have the power or cool wheel flares or tough rubber bumpers. the allroad is awesome, but it has flaws and these springs fix that flaw quickly and easily. ($1050 for the springs, $400 to install at Tango in San Mateo, $85 to realign my wheels). Now if I can get that damn check engine light to go off!
peace, duck

shawn39

Hey Duck,
How does your allroad ride and handle now with the conversion kit? I'm considering the same thing. Have had problems with my susp. light coming one. Usually is off when I start the car but turns on and locks the suspension shortly after it makes any adjustments. I also need new rear shocks as it really bounces in the back. So I'm thinking I can switch to the spring conversion for cheaer then fixing the problem with the air suspension and then never have another air spring problem. Just wondering how your allroad handles now?
thanks

augustom

Sorry Duck but I still do not agree with your argument, the Air suspension is one of the great benefits of the car. If you had replaced all air springs with Arnott lifetime guarantee air springs you would spend USD 1136 instead of USD 1000, and keep the air suspension trouble free for life, and being able to raise the car in rougth terrain and lower on the highway the way it was meant to.
I guess its a matter of point of view, there are no rights or wrongs, just what one values more on this car, the looks, flares etc, or the adjustable ride height. I value the ride height adjustment because I use dirt roads to go to a weekend ranch.

Best of luck with the coil springs.
Augusto

shebe

Thanks for the feedback. I live in northern Canada.
Compressor was also shot.
Did like the air suspension but access to doing repairs up here can be a problem and springs are less likely to fail.

duckrock

I can see both sides. When I looked at cost, I also looked at having to replace the compressor, so the coilover springs looked better to me and I don't make it to Lake Tahoe like I used to. HOWEVER to answer the next question, the springs are kinda mushy and my check engine light is on because I unhooked the computer. Arnott has no answer for me except to live with it. And there is a mystery bump-bump when I hit bumps, so, this was not a home run.
duck

shawn39

Hey Shebe,
Where abouts in canada do you live? Have you gone to the coil over springs? I'm on the fence with what I will do. I bought my allraod and it was working fine for about 3 months. I thought I was in the clear as the guy I bought the car off of had almost $4000.00 in repairs to his air suspension so I figured it would last a while for me but I was incorrect. I'm going to get a quote to see how much my repair will cost with keeping the stock aor suspension.

gerry24

I have a 2002 allroad, I have replaced the compressor, the front air bags and now the rear air bags have started to fail. Regarding off-road capability and extra underbody protection, no such thing the front and rear skid plates are flimsy plastic, the front gril/bumber assembly is flimsy, this is not an off-road car. All said thought I still like driving the vehicle. If I could start all over I would get rid of the air shocks.

augustom

Gerry, as far as the underboby protection I am not talking about the skid plates, the allroad underboby is actually made of thicker sheetmetal making it heavier then the A6, 4167lbs vs 3924lbs, thats 243lbs more. My opinion is that if you could start all over again you should chose to buy an A6 Avant, same car lighter faster and with springs. I do not understand why complain about the allroad suspension if what makes the allroad an allroad is the suspension, if you take it away the car becomes an A6 or S6 Avant, but heavier.
http://www.cargurus.com/Cars/Pictures-c13785-2002-A6-Avant.html
http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/wagons/112_0109_2002_audi_s6_avant/index.htm- l
I had a S4 Avant with the 2.7l V6, great car, but it could not drive on any dirt road, we are not talking offroad use, just dirt roads, one could feel that it was damaging the car. The allroad has the advantage of higher ground clearance when needed, and when loaded it keeps the same ride height not true with springs.

art65

I had the Arnott $1,000 conversion kit installed and the only suspension problem appears to be the thud it makes when going over significant bumps or pot holes. Any solutions?

Thanks
Art65

shawn39

I'm putting the conversion kit on my allroad as well. I have just ordered it. Wondering if anyone is interested in some used air suspension parts. I have a compressor that only has 10000 kms on it, the front and rear air bags are not leaking and the front shocks are in good shape. The controll module seems to be broken and the rear shocks are worn out.

shebe

How much do you want for the compressor?

Where are you located?



David

shawn39

I'm in Ottawa area, just on the Quebec side.
Background, I bought the Allroad from orriginal owner, he was in Edmonton and his ari ride went. The car had 180 000 km s on it and he spend $3700.00 fixing it at the Audi dealer there. The car now has high 190 000's on it so under 20000 kms have been put on it since the bulk of the work was done.
The compressor cost $1000.00, I would say I am going to be looking to get $500-ish for it.
All the air spring are good as well, as well as the front shocks. There were also 2 valves that were put on it that cost $500 for each one.
I was thinking of just selling it all together but if you are only interested in the compressor I'm sure I could find someone else for the springs and shocks. Oh yes the front left air bag is also new, cost for that was $600.00 the other three were check and have no leaks.
Thanks
Shawn

duckrock

The thud may be the well known design issue for the rear mounts. Contact arnott immediately and describe the sound to them.

duck

skuncan

I have a 2000 model allroad 2.7T with 140K on the clock (owned the car for four years), i think i have a major suspension problem.. All four corners are now sat right down.. warning light is on on the dash, plus the green light is flashing on the central dash..

It wont go up or down.. ride is very hard on the front..!!

I get the feeling am looking at a very large £££ bill to fix it..

Any ideas ??

thanks
Duncan

manster

The owners manual caution against driving the vehicle with the suspension as you have described as damage to suspension parts might occur. If the car was not settling when parked overnight chances are the air spring system is likely ok. The problem is either with the compressor or the electronic control module. I bought a used control module here in the US for USD400 and it solved a similar problem for me. But first you must determine which component has failed. Compressors are available in the aftermarket and I would try there before going to an Audi dealer. Good luck.

skuncan

Ok.. thats great info... but i dont know to determine where the issue lies..dont want to take it to the audi dealership... lots of ££'s

Plus i dont want to start down the road of replace this part..then that part etc..etc..

Because will just become a money pit !!

I can get a new OEM compressor for £350.00, which is fine if it fixes the problem !!

skuncan

Just to add to this.. the car has been driven for a few weeks like this... thinking back i think that the problem started a while ago ... so i may have damaged other parts.. now my main concern..

jsecosky

How much do you want for the front air springs and compresser?

shawn39

I'm not sure what to sell it for. I guess I would sell it all as a package for around $700. That's the compressor, both front air springs and shocks as well as the rear air springs. The rear shock are worn out but none of the air springs leak.
Let me know if you are interested.

bullish123

dose Arnott air springs work just like the original audi air springs?

bullish123

thankz