Alignment after bumper removal?

[Mavfan1]

I want to respray my front bumper cover. Shop said I have to hat an alignment because of the sensors. Anybody pay $600 for the alignment and recalibration?


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[SpectreGadget]

If you have Adaptive Cruise, the radar sensors are mounted to the bumpers. Remounting after painting, will inevitably alter the alignment and will require re-alignment. Audi Atlanta charges $500 for that job. You might get lucky and the system won't realize, but don't bet on it. I've had my bumper replaced twice due to damage, and needed alignment both times.

[eveleth]

Like spectre said, an alignment is the right answer. However I’ve had my bumper off a couple times now, and as long as you’re careful and don’t start the car with stuff unplugged, everything should still work fine.

[widebodyfx]

I expected to have to realign the ACC after repainting the RS7 front bumper but was surprised it hasn’t popped up as an error and the system works perfectly fine. This is with removing the ACC sensors from the bumper not just disconnecting them. On my previous S6 with RS style front bumper it did need realignment but that’s moving to entirely new sensor positions.


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[gk1]

Same here, no alignment needed after bumper repair. 2015 S6 w/ all driving aids.

[fixedhat313]

I had front bumper repainted with lane assist /ACC. Battery was unplugged before bumper removal, plugged back in after bumper was put back on. Car has been fine for about 8k miles since, use ACC and lane assist whenever I drive.

[GasMan]

I was planning on having Audi calibrate ACC after I get my bumper repainted. They do a 4 wheel alignment at the same time and mine is just ever so slightly off. This makes me wonder if it's really worth the money since the alignment isn't THAT bad.

[RAF_S7]

I was planning on having Audi calibrate ACC after I get my bumper repainted. They do a 4 wheel alignment at the same time and mine is just ever so slightly off. This makes me wonder if it's really worth the money since the alignment isn't THAT bad.

Alignment of the ACC sensors is something completely different to drive train alignment.

As a general rule, if you’re removing the bumper and do not remove or disturbed the ACC sensors, then the likelihood is that you wont require An ACC alignment procedure.

If your removing the bumper for any repair or modification work that includes repainting and an oven curing process, then the sensors will be removed to protect them from the heat process. This will require a specialist alignment procedure.

If you don’t align the sensors, and throw codes, you are likely to get a whole bunch of associated failures since ACC is integrated into a number of car safety systems.

[GasMan]

My dealer told me they have to do wheel alignment at the same time. Cost for that plus ACC calibration is around $500.

Sound right, pricewise?

[digdah]

My bumper has been off at least 5 times in the last rolling calander year with no ACC alignment done. In fact, I even replaced the grill and the sensors in one of those removals and no issues.

[GasMan]

My bumper has been off at least 5 times in the last rolling calander year with no ACC alignment done. In fact, I even replaced the grill and the sensors in one of those removals and no issues.

Do you disconnect the battery each time? What's your method to keep the computer from wigging out?

[Mavfan1]

My dealer told me they have to do wheel alignment at the same time. Cost for that plus ACC calibration is around $500.

Sound right, pricewise?

I was quoted $600 so that sounds about right


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[Mavfan1]

Thanks for everyone responding.


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[Mathews]

Search "ACC sensor adjustment" on Google, you'll find a post that could save you $600 if you have a VCDS.

[digdah]

I have not been present for all but one of the takedowns and I can tell you for sure when replacing my grill and sensors the battery stayed connected throughout. Just do NOT start the car when stuff is disconnected.

Do you disconnect the battery each time? What's your method to keep the computer from wigging out?

[gk1]

I have not been present for all but one of the takedowns and I can tell you for sure when replacing my grill and sensors the battery stayed connected throughout. Just do NOT start the car when stuff is disconnected.

FWIW I can almost guarantee the shop turned my car on with the bumper removed, probably moving it around the shop, there was a ton of codes when I got it back. After I cleared them though, no issues.

[a4huey09]

On a similar note, does anyone know if you can paint the ACC covers?

[digdah]

Yeah same happened when I changed out my turbos. I was very relieved when the errors didnt come back. Thank goodness for VGCOM.

FWIW I can almost guarantee the shop turned my car on with the bumper removed, probably moving it around the shop, there was a ton of codes when I got it back. After I cleared them though, no issues.

[Mavfan1]

FWIW I can almost guarantee the shop turned my car on with the bumper removed, probably moving it around the shop, there was a ton of codes when I got it back. After I cleared them though, no issues.

100%. Half the cars at the Audi shop are missing panels and sitting outside.


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[Ahad5058]

From my experience if you disconnect the batter BEFORE unplugging the sensors the computer won’t realize you disconnected them.


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