Audi allroad Suspension Questions

augustom

A lot of people in this forum have been critic of me because I defend the air suspension. One thing I can tell you about the spring replacement is that your car will sag with weight (all spring suspension cars do fully loaded) whereas air spring suspension adjusts itself to the load of the car. Besides having the benefit to adjust ride height.
Its an allroad, keep it that way.

Mr_Shiftright

You can also buy replacement parts for the air suspension from aftermarket vendors for 1/2 the Audi price, or less. For one thing, the OEM Audi air pump is a bit of a joke, and the aftermarket pump is far more durable.

beeyayitch

I wrecked my 02 2.7L Allroad. The front would no longer pump up. The shop replaced the shocks. No it pumps up, but it still flattens all the way out in the front so the fenders rest seemingly on TOP of the tires. The import dude told me he thought it should "settle" like this. Sounds like baloney. Is it supposed to "settle"?

Dondanger

No, he is talking rubbish - the distance between the wheel and the rim should be the same around the car - and even on the lowest setting it wont be anywhere near resting on the wheel!

pyramus

I have problems raising the suspension from level 1 to a higher level. on my Allroad 2,7T 01. I have replaced the air springs in the front. When using VAG-COM, I get a fault code, 01770, which indicates a problem with the thermal sensor in the compressor. It is impossible to buy this sensor, as it is an integral part of the compressor. Arnott is selling this compressor. But in the instruction manual from Arnott, they use the old thermal sensor on the new compressor. In other words, how do I fix this problem ?

art65

Hi Duck,

Thanks for the tip. I called Arnott and thet said "we were waiting for you to call" They offered free replacement parts but no $ towards installation. If they knew the parts were bad why didn't they call me??

The thud is gone with the new parts.

Art65

shawn39

Hi Art65,
Was it just the rear suspension that was making the noise?

duckrock

yes, just the rear was making the noise. now it is better since I replaced, but if I go over a speedbump, the expansion of the springs still makes an unsettling noise, compression seems fine now, but expansion is still a concern.

cwschooley

Just bought a 2001 Audi Allroad.
The fault indicator light is on for the Air Suspension.
On the controls the center indicator lights show the top yellow light on continuously and the green light below it blinking.
I was able to push both the up and down buttons to get into manual mode but nothing happens when trying to adjust it.

Just looking over everything I am thinking the first thing to do is replace the compressor. Looks like it would easy enough to do.

Anyone have any input that I am on the right track or any suggestions on what to do instead of the above?

Any help would be appreciated.

cwschooley

I see Arnott offers a coil spring conversion kit. Has anyone used this on all four wheels? I am thinking this is the best option because of not having to worry about the air suspension anymore.

Any thoughts?

kc77

I bought a 2001 allroad in Feb. 2009 - It seems that the last 4 months every once in a while when I get in the car in the morning the suspension warning light is flashing and if I wait a few minutes it goes off - with no problem.

Yesterday and today if it's left to sit for more than a few hours it seems like the front deflates completely - it almost looks as if the car is actually sitting on the two front tires.

Any ideas? Hoping I dont have to spend an arm and a leg but have a feeling I am wrong!

Thanks

Dondanger

So (in brief) I decided that I love the allroad (I don't want an A6 (had one) they sit to low and are boring, the allroad has a great engine and gearbox, more ruggedly built, slight shorter in length and look cooler) and have done around 65K miles. Here is what happened...

- over a period of a few months on returning to the it would settle on one side or on one corner, then pump itself up and be OK.
- then, following sharp braking, after returning home the back drivers side suspension bag just wouldn't pump up and looked like it was sitting almost on the rim.
- at this point I took it to Audi, they said that the computer had failed and that I needed to replace that first (£600+) then they would see if a bag needed replacing. I said its clearly a bag and not the computer, the diagnostic would say that computer was showing an error because the bag had failed. They said that although I was probably right, they have to work by process of elimination (something that consistently pisses me off about Audi and causes far more expense than is needed). I decided (after some research) that as this point if I wanted to keep my allroad I would either be facing replacement of all four corners, the compressor and most likely the computer as well or go for the Arrnott coil spring replacement set.
- I choose the replacement set as I never need a suspension level higher than 2 (other than for mucking around and having fun) so removing that function wasn't going to be a problem.
- they finally arrived, I had to pay to get them fitted. Immediately I realised that they were too spongy - especially at the back and I had the problem previously mentioned where there would be a loud knock when you went over even a small pothole or bump, the car would bounce at high speeds too.
- So (gutted) I complained to Arrnott and they sent me a new set of more beefed up back units. I again had to pay to get them swopped out. They are much, much better - still a little soft compared with the air springs. I've had them on the car for 2 months now and they feel like they are starting to go a little - they also seem to have developed a knock of their own, but this happens only once unusually the first time you drive it and go around a corner or a hit a bump, then its OK.
- So, to summarise, I thought I was being smart switching to the coil/spring and saving me money (and worry) in the long term, and if the Arrnott conversion kit had been what it says it is, it would have been a smart move. Now I regret it because I have no faith in the units that they have supplied and am just waiting for them to give up or deteriorate - hopefully not when I'm doing 140mph on the motorway though! The feedback on the replacement air springs is that they are good, so if I could do it again I would use these instead and keep the car more original. Also, every now and again when I see an allroad they are always on level 3 and look awesome!

Dondanger

You need to find which spring - left or right - is the culprit and then swop it out ASAP so that the compressor doesn't get over heated - as that is even more money. There are some previous posts on how to test which one is at fault. Good luck!

lxtwin

Hi there

I have a 2005 Allroad with 28,000 miles on it, so not a lot really. I have noticed over the past 3 months when I go over the normal pot holes the left side sounds loose / rattly, I think it is worse on level 3 and not as noticeable at 1, but it might be me. It is fine on smooth or lightly rough roads.

The Air suspension stays at the level I leave it at and does not appear to leak or I do not have any warning lights that are coming on.

Has anyone else had a problem like this.

Thanks for any help.

angus5

Its probably just a worn bush on the nearside suspension assembly or anti roll bar caused by driving too fast over potholes or speed humps. Any competent mechanic with a bar will confirm.

lxtwin

Thanks mate,

I will get it checked out, It was in for its MOT a month ago at an Audi garage and I asked them to check it but they said it was OK.

However I do not have a lot of confidence in them as the brakes passed and they missed that it needed new pads and disks.

blockisland98

I have a popped suspension in my allroad,, all 4 corners. I was wondering if I could swap a regular a6 suspension into it, to prevent that from happening again. I was told by my Audi dealer that I could not,, and was told by an ex-Audi mechanic I could. I tried to research it on the internet but have found nothing so far.

polyglot

Two days ago I bought I an used 2002 Audi Allroad which was in good condition (one owner, 90k miles) from a car repair shop. Cash was handed over in return for the title, no sale document exists apart from the Statement of Transaction form, used to register at the DMV in NY. The car was well maintained and there were no issues experienced during the test drive.

Only after the purchase I found that the steering was sometimes odd (difficult) during hard turns. Since I remember that the last repair was done in the car repair shop where they replaced the air supension on both front wheels, I intend to drive back on Monday when they reopen to check it out.

This morning when I backed out of my drive way (paved, flat), there was an audible crack followed by metallic scraping sound so I immediately stopped and found out that the steering link, a part of the suspension is mechanically broken off, something totally unexpected out of a quality car that both past inspection and have been serviced in an Audi dealership just last month!

Any of you had this problem before? And what was the main cause?

Any thought or advice how to confront the repair shop who sold me this used car? As mentioned, an important factor is that they worked on the suspension just a week ago before selling the car to me. And I assume this is done after the state inspection.

So I need to sort out two questions:

1. the origin of the rupture of the steering link:
My plan is is show the picture that I took to someone who knows about the problems of the drive train and suspension, for example a local Mavis Tires and ask them how and under which circumstance such a rupture can happen.
On top of that, I could ask the opinion of the head mechanic of an official Audio dealer.

2. Fault responsibility (my main question):
Barring the aspect of the potential and severe injury (I would have been paralyzed in a car accident with the current condition of my spine), who bears the cost of the car repair in this case?

Thanks in advance!

manster

I'd have the car inspected by an Audi mechanic and then promptly consult with an attorney and the state attorney general.

Mr_Shiftright

It sounds like the shop might be culpable. They should eat this repair. If they refuse, you can have it fixed at an Audi dealership, get the bill, and sue the shop in Small Claims court. You'll probably win given the circumstances. I think an attorney might be too expensive given the probable cost of repairs---unless you want them to take the car back, then an attorney might be necessary. Consulting with the consumer fraud unit of your DA's office is also an excellent suggestion, just made to you previously by manster.

Visiting Host

polyglot

Thanks guys for your valuable responses. Today I first contacted two Audi dealerships and spoke with their mechanic, both of them stated that the defective upper service arm is very probably caused by the improper handling during the replacement of the air suspension: a torch was apparently used to loosen the bolts, that deformed/compromised the aluminium arm. Though they would not put it on paper without seeing it, I am confident that I will have it fixed without paying out of my pocket and I intend to have the car inspected by an Audi dealer after the repair. My wife is worried about the safety after the repair and urged me to think about cancelling the sale, which legal arguments should I use in this case?

Mr_Shiftright

I think you have to get professional legal counsel. We aren't lawyers. Maybe a nice threatening letter from an attorney is all you need to get out of this deal.

b4100

Polyglot,
The 02 allroad you purchased is it silver with the winter package and came with a set of snow tires without the rims also seller said the timing belt was recently replaced? Is the seller's car repair shop near Bedford in Westchester, NY?

polyglot

yes, this is the same Audi Allroad, how come you are so familiar with that car?

mcalkins3

A gentlemen and work has a 2002 audi allroad and the front bags have dropped down. I was wondering what controls the compressor it's self. I have done some reading and checked the 40 amp fuse in by the ECM, and have checked all other fuses for the level 4 air ride suspension. I bench tested the pump and all connections. The pump and the entire setup is a pretty stout unit. The weather head style connections are amazing. If I take "tilt sensors" ( I assume Audi has a complicated name for them) at the rear the pump does not run with the arm and all ends of travel. I attempted to use the "Jacking Mode" and the pump still did not run, however the display did go into this mode. It leaves me to believe that the head unit it's self is work. I noticed when under the car, all the colored capillary lines running to another unit that I assume directs air flow from the pump based on the position of the tilt sensors? Anybody that could help would be greatly appreciated.

audimasochist

After 9 years, and recurrent air spring bag replacements by Audi, I rang Arnott and ordered the Air spring assembly (times 2 for the front pair) along with the Wabco suspension compressor. My mechanic swapped the air springs but says he needs a "T" intake valve and two "pigtails" to make the new compressor work. Until I get these parts I'm stuck as the old compressor has been ripped out and the connectors on the old one were corroded and now worthless.
I've scoured the web and Audi dealers to find these 3 parts but have come up empty.
Wife drove 100 miles today to get Audi part #4Z7698505, only to find that the intake valve and the pigtails aaren't part of that compressor accessory package.
Any suggestions as to where I may locate these compressor connectors? Thanks in advance for any help.

Mr_Shiftright

Why aren't these in the kit you got from Arnott? How come they are off the hook?

audimasochist

Bob Arnott says they aren't included as in, "Sorry, tough luck"-not-included. He suggested I contact Wabco, in Germany... I am also coming up empty on finding help from Wabco. May have to resort to scurrying around salvage yards, but hope to avoid that. Any suggestions of other Audi forums I should post on?

audimasochist

Update: Arnott has the "T" intake valve and it's costing me to have it shipped o'night to my mechanic but c'est la vie. Still outta luck on the pigtails with connectors. Trying to find a salvage yard that may be able to help with those.

Mr_Shiftright

can't pigtails and connectors just be fabricated?

chapelallroad

The front end of my Allroad (both driver & passenger side)) drops intermittently. The rear end stays level.

By way of example; the front end drops as I pull into the garage, in the morning the front end is once again level only to drop once more when the door is opened to retrieve something from the car. No issues observed at the rear end.

Another time on a road trip the front end dropped after 4 hours of driving only to raise again after a short lunch break.

This has happened 4-5 times in the last 30 days, the car has 79,000 miles on it.
An independent Audi shop checked the air bags and could find no leaks or any other faults. Any advice would be welcomed.

indoor79

here's how you can test it. when the car is level (not when the front end is down) put the suspension in 'jack mode', lift the car and remove the front wheels. have some soapy water handy and a sprayer. grab a good light and spray all around the rubber part of the air spring, at first and then the air lines, air fitting. etc. most of the times the bubbles appear in level 2 where the bladder folds toward the bottom of the bladder. if you don't see any bubbles you didn't do it right. try again with more soapy water it leaks for sure.

chapelallroad

Thanks indoor 79, I appreciate the reply. The independent shop has a former Audi trained technician who has done many Allroad air springs. He did the soapy water leak test and did not find a leak.

I'm wondering if it could be a valve, fitting or a software issue. After reading all these blogs I'm perplexed about how something that's rubber can leak intermittently. It would seem to me that when the suspension is kept on level 2 that it would either leak or not leak. I've not varied the suspension level since the onset of these symptoms. Will take your advice and re-do the test.

indoor79

These rubber bladder on the air springs seems to be affected by engine temperature and road debris. I think it is poor design. Now if you remove an old air spring that has issues you can see very small cracks that will develop into very small holes at the bottom of the spring, where it folds. During cold weather the holes expand.
You should be fine for a while. On my car the air springs lasted another year after the first symptom.

dlaustin

I know your frustration. Please review my input #22 way back when. You don't need a mechanic to find the leak(s) and you don't need to remove the wheels. Just apply the soapy water all around the air bag with the wheels turned outward so that you can clearly see the air bag. Do the entire process for one front bag. Then go to the second. I'm confident you will see the leak(s) if you use a mirror and a good light. Remember the bubbles may be small. Good luck!

audimasochist

With so many years and online discussions committed to Allroad suspension problems it's a wonder there was never a recall to fix the faulty air bag design.

indoor79

It doesn't get this cold in the winter or this humid during the summer. But I heard of guys who have no problems here in the states at 130k miles with original air springs. Mine went at 80k, after 8 years(driver's side first and then passenger- both front, the back springs are fine still)

bwilly

Did you ever solve the problem of the "Check Engine" warning light coming on after to conversion to the coil springs? I have ordered the springs without knowing of that problem. I cannot fathom driving with that light on because it obviously masks any real problem that would cause that warning - that sounds dangerous. I cannot believe they don't tell you of that problem with their kit.

Thank you for your time.

bwilly

I ordered the coil suspension replacement from Arnott but, after reading your (and others) comments on the continuous "Check Engine" warning light, I am hesitant to install them. Is this true? Have you found any solution? I can't imagine driving with that light continuously on because it obviously masks any problem that would normally cause it to light - very risky of more car damage or worse. Would appreciate your thoughts.

Many thanks!

duckrock

No, On my 2003 audi allroad, the check engine light is still on with no solution from Arnott. But even worse, the metallic "crunk" noise I hear ever day when I go over speed bumps is worse. Arnott did not return my last email regarding this noise, I guess since they have already replaced my rears once, they are not eager to do it again, even though I feel like this is a problem.

bwilly

I have ordered Arnott' coil suspension system replacement kit, but am concerned about the blurbs in this forum relating to the warning lights. As I understand it, on the car you discussed, after installing the coil springs, the self-leveling suspension warning light (car outline) came on after start and an alarm sounded - is that correct? The owner opted to disconnect the computer and now has a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (Check Engine) light on continuously.(Presumably, because the computer connection is required to keep the light off.) I am thinking that it would be better to leave the computer connected and live with the suspension warning light on, assuming the alarm can be silenced (or it goes off on its own). Note: I cannot find any reference to an suspension related alarm in my owner's manual ('03)[non-permissible content removed] a smog test with the "Check Engine" light on in my state. Any thoughts from anyone on this problem would be appreciated. I can't pass a smog test with the "Check Engine" light illuminated.

matthew54196

I've got me a 2004 2.7T allroad and its been acting up on me. About 2000 miles ago the FL airbag wouldnt raise unless I jacked it up to level 2 and then its fine from two and up. I was fine with just doin that but now its not lettin me do that at all. The new problem seems to be every tire is on a different level. The FL is on1, RL is on 2, the FR is on 3, and the RR is on 4. Does anyone know what could be causing this? Also, does the suspension have an air release valve to lower the car and if it does where is it?

Thanks,
matt

angus5

what is total mileage?

/

indoor79

I had the same thing happen to my allroad. You need to replace the air spring(bag) on FL. You can do it yourself. Arnott sells them for $299(for one) but the original one is $600. The part comes with installation instructions. You can download the instructions online too. Here's the webpage: http://www.arnottindustries.com/part_AUDI_Air_Suspension_Parts_yid17_pid124_gid4- 66.html

matthew54196

its got 103XXX and this is the only problems its had

bwilly

bwilly

I had the new Bilstein suspension replacement kit by Arnott installed this week - the car is now level at (2) and it's great not to have to worry about the suspension bottoming every other day as it did before. Rather than disconnecting the computer controlling the suspension level, my mechanic instead disconnected the air compressor so I do not have a Malfunction Indicator (check engine) light on, as others have complained about, but do have a Self-Leveling Suspension System Warning Light (car image) on constantly, from within a few minutes of start. This is fine - in my mind, better than having the MIL light on and mask all the problems it is designed to reveal. The car seemed normal for two days and I was pleased with the changeover. Today, however, as I was driving to go ski with new snow on the highway, the car seemed to want to wander all over the road, i.e. it seemed like there were continuous variable turn inputs being applied to the steering. It was all I could do to keep it in my lane - really dangerous. After skiing, the road was clear of snow, so I test drove it again - and it seemed normal - the sideloads and wandering tendency no longer noticed. Now I do not know what to think - since the suspension computer is interconnected with the Electronic Stabilization Program (ESP), I suspect something is amiss with that program and it was inputting spurious signals due to the snow conditions. Very strange - has anyone else experienced such a problem? Or have any idea what could have caused this? . Will continue to monitor, but dubious about driving the car over about 50 mph until I know what caused the steering problem..

allroadowner

Hi,

I replaced one air bag with an Arnott bag. The replacement failed in about 2 months so I decided to replace the entire air system. I did the exact same thing with my car including the air compressor. I did not disable the air system in the trunk so the electronic stability control is not working properly (cannot be disabled on the dash next to the old up-down buttons).

I experienced the same floating feeling and I think that it can be fixed by disabling the computer in the trunk.

augustom

Allroadowner, I have a question for you, what happened to the Arnott bag? Two months of use an it failed!!! Doesn't it have a lifetime warranty, what did they say? Please let us know for I believe many allroad owners were looking foward to use the Arnott bag once their original factory bag fails, I have a 2002 allroad with the original bags.

Bests,

Augusto

allroadowner

The Arnott bag ruptured at the top seal (rubber ripped).
I waited too long to replace the leaking factory bag so the compressor was tired. The level sensors also were acting up so I opted to get rid of the air system.

Arnott offered to replace the bag but I chose a credit on the suspension replacement kit.

My first replacement kit resulted in clunking coming from rear, which burned out a set of tires in 1k or so.
Arnott replaced both rear shocks and that seems to have fixed the problem.

My only remaining issue is to get the traction control system straigntened out.
Since I have a 2002 the check engine light should not remain on when I unplug the air suspension computer in the trunk.

Arnott has good customer service which makes up for possibly releasing a product before adequate QC/QA is complted. Would have saved me some installation labor, or I could have waited for others to do it first and learned from them.

If I did it again I would go straight to the stiffer replacement suspension from Arnott.