I have been hearing a loud low pitched squeaking (woooo instead of weeee) from the driver's side rear for the last week or so when the suspension loads and unloads. It went away after driving through rain and came back upon the suspension drying out. I finally pulled the wheel off tonight ready to start greasing bushings and found the bottom half coil was broken off and sitting there. Easy enough, but more expensive than the free fix I was hoping for!

I'm new to Audi and am not sure where to get parts or what options I have. It's a 98 2.8 Quattro Avant so I'm sure my choices are limited. I'd really like to avoid dropping the car at all, and ideally I'd track down something that will be a little beefier than stock, I tend to haul things around a lot. What are my options and where do I look?

Thanks for all of your help. You guys really are a wealth of knowledge.

 

Regular: Audi B5 A4 Quattro V6 30v > Suspension > Springs > ES#434917 Coil Spring - Priced Each - 8D9511115D

S-Line: Audi B5 A4 Quattro V6 30v > Suspension > Springs > ES#434918 Coil Spring - For Sports Running Gear - 8D9511115E

If you don't want to spend that much then you could also try a local salvage yard. And you can either buy a spring compressor or rent one from Advanced Auto.

 

Thanks airguard! I have a spring compressor already so I'm good to go in that respect. Since the shocks are needing replacement too, I might as well do them at the same time and save the money on an additional alignment. The kyb shocks seem fine, but i honestly won't be tracking this car so I doubt the bilsteins will be necessary. Is it pretty much those 2 brands before getting into spendier stuff?

Any aftermarket springs that won't drop the car considerably?

 

The H&R Sport springs will drop the car about an inch or so, and KYB's are good for the money. Shop around at FCP Groton, Blauparts, and even your local autoparts stores. Sometimes they have a decent price on aftermarket OEM replacement parts.

 

We'd need the vin# to your car, but from early 98 and on B5's like yours, there are some spring options from Audi that might work for you. First we'd need to figure out what you have in there now, from your vin and if you can provide the color bands off your car now to double check. Then see what the heavier duty options are in Etka. You should have a white and violet color band spring now, but there are 3 choices listed.

 

I'd say look into a used set of S4 springs and struts. They're heavier-duty and ride more firmly but it's completely in keeping with the car's character. I had them at one time and am hoping to go back to them. They'll lower the car about a fingerwidth (negligible) but will show a lot better ride control and flatter cornering. Well worth it.