Arnott Shocks

[Skianddestroy]

My front end isn't handling bump and rough roads that great lately. I know the PO replaced the air springs but the shocks I think are original (164k). I know the arnott's will fit my OEM bags, should I replace the o-rings when I'm in there? The write up that europaparts posted seems pretty straightforward.....
Thanks

[PaperToast]

rule #34 - always replace the o-rings. i mean why not when you have it apart?

[JTown77]

Their shocks are a bit mushy for my taste, not nearly as "sporty" as the OEM shocks. I am not sure the OEM's are worth the money, but dont expect much improvement with the new arnott's v. the old worn out OEM's.

[mooseclap05]

try and find a full set that is used under 100k, i know its not easy to find but it'll do you a huge favor knowing the shocks will actually last. Going new is great if you can afford it.

[chris86vw]

Their shocks are a bit mushy for my taste, not nearly as "sporty" as the OEM shocks. I am not sure the OEM's are worth the money, but dont expect much improvement with the new arnott's v. the old worn out OEM's.

That really depends on what worn is. Blown, even the wrong shocks for the car would be better in most cases.

My shocks right now when in level 1 offer 0 damping, its so bad the GF and I could do nothing but laugh when it dropped to level 1 on our last trip. One little bump and it would bounce for 5-10 seconds. It forced me on the way home to make sure it never dropped from 2.

If I wasn't planning on going to the airlift stuff I'd have the arnotts on the way.

[quattrosnrabbit]

I understand Igor and others have tried the Chinese bags with decent results. Have folks tried the non-audi replacement shocks?

As I understand it, Arnott stopped offering Bilstein shocks altogether. Comments I saw circa 2015 weren't glowing. Anyone have any recent or updated experience with their current offering? SK-2779 from their website pics shows their Arnott assembled in the US sticker and made in china stamped into shock.
What about the shocks through
* Aerosus? $125 for a front, $205 for a rear?
* Suncore Industries? Looks like they're remanning the OEM stuff, and buying back cores.
* Limak, Miessler, or any of the other European options?

I had been looking for oring sizes so I could source them without coughing up Audi's "kit" prices. This is what I found. I think Igor had made other measurements recently, but I couldn't relocate his post.
Front:
4Z7616045 (91.67x3.53) - Larger upper oring
Arnott bags use a different size upper oring (88x4mm) - confirmed
4Z7616045A (52x5) - Smaller lower oring

Rear: (not 100% sure on this, this may be A6 not allroad)
4B0409133 (82x3) - Larger lower oring

I called theoringstore.com and they gave me the following part numbers for the above. Six of each was less than $25...
B70239: 4Z7616045 => 3 5/8"ID X 3 7/8"OD X 1/8"CS Buna-N 70 Duro (NBR)
N4.00x088: Arnott upper front replacement => 4mm x 88mm Buna-N 70 Metric
N5.00x052: 4Z7616045A => 5mm X 52mm Metric Buna-N 70
N3.00x082: 4B0409133 => 3mm X 82mm Metric Buna-N 70

or if you prefer OringsAndMore.com (part number: placement)
239: 239-70D (3 5/8"ID X 3 7/8"OD X 1/8") OEM front upper 4Z7616045
884MMB70: Arnott front upper
52.5MMB70: OEM front lower 4Z7616045A

[Skianddestroy]

Thanks for the replies guys. I somewhat fixed my problem with the shocks. I had the front 402'd down in the front to get rid of the saggy looking rear, so now I raised the front back to lvl2 and the rear to lvl3 and the shocks handle way better(not great) but better.
Does anyone have experience with an aftermarket air compressor for the AR off Ebay or something? I don't really want to shell out 700 bucks for an OEM one.

[Bordom]

You can wire in an aftermarket compressor to feed the air tank and keep it full, thus greatly saving the life of the OEM compressor.

Come next spring I'll be doing just that with a pair of Viair 444cc compressors and a second OEM tank to double the capacity.

Sent from my SM-G935W8 using Tapatalk

[beardman]

I bought this one 6 months back. The dump valve had to get pulled off the old one and mine is mounted in the spare tire well, but I think the mounting brackets were slightly different. Much cheaper though.
Mophorn Air Spring Compressor Low Noise Air Suspension Compressor for Audi A8 D3 2004-2010 Reduce Frequency of Vibration (for Audi A8) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01NAUBSL2..._p6a5zbRVZH1CM


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[DreamInRotary]

You can wire in an aftermarket compressor to feed the air tank and keep it full, thus greatly saving the life of the OEM compressor.

Come next spring I'll be doing just that with a pair of Viair 444cc compressors and a second OEM tank to double the capacity.

I'll keep an eye out for this, sounds awesome!