Get rid of air ride on rs7 or s6

[slowguy]

Has anyone changed the air ride system on the s6 or rs7 to something like coilovers or individual shocks? These cars have bags as well as electro-hydraulic shocks so something would need to be done with the computer to get rid of it and now cause errors. I was thinking you could simply code out the control module via vcds and tell it you have a conventional ride system but not sure. I just hate spending $950 for a single shock.

[AudiInMyA7]

People swap over to coil overs often from air rides, mainly because of cost of repair, so i know that its very doable.

I've personally never done it, i'm looking to actually put air suspension on my car, but its quite a hefty switch. going to springs/coilovers is much less of a feat but still a lot of work.

[slowguy]

I don't even necessarily want to get rid of the air ride - it's not the issue. It's the electro hydraulic shocks. One of the rear ones is making a click noise and it's driving my nuts. I just figured for the price of one electric shock I could replace all four with standard shocks. The only issue is you'd either have to code out the control module for the shocks or use a "dummy" device to fool the module into believing there are still electric shocks. From what I gather, it's the air backs that adjust the height but the shocks are what can soften or stiffen the ride. It's a cool feature to change the ride height with a button, but honestly, this not being a "track" car I set the ride to comfort and just leave it there. Don't really need the corner on public roads like a madman :)

[gk1]

Did you ever look into the Bilstein B4 Damptronic replacement?
I think they only run about $400
20-264765

https://www.bilstein.com/us/en/produ...10577160640976

[tuscani66]

I used the OEM part number (took picture of my rear driver side shock as my rear passenger was blown) and found a shock for $210 shipped new on eBay, though maybe you're referencing the front? I can upload a photo of my receipt if you like.

REAR : 4G0616031AE
https://parts.audiusa.com/p/Audi__S7...0616031AE.html

[robocop47]

The cost, time/labor to convert to static would be tons more than just fixing the issue you have at hand. If you aren’t making some crazy track car, which would probably be pretty sloppy boat still, it’s not really feasible to make the swap

[Akakios]

The cost, time/labor to convert to static would be tons more than just fixing the issue you have at hand. If you aren’t making some crazy track car, which would probably be pretty sloppy boat still, it’s not really feasible to make the swap

This ^

If you go to sell the car, you’ll find far fewer buyers interested in a converted car.


Sent from my iPhone using Audizine Forum

[DoItAllGarage]

Will you do the work yourself?

I recently had to do some repairs on my air suspension and was also pricing out alternatives.

Arnott has a swap kit I believe.

Lucky, my repair didn't cost much, but if the Oem parts would have been $1500 , I would have switched over to air ride!

[slowguy]

It's not the air that has the issue, it's the electro shocks. The right rear has made a click since I bought the car and I've just lived with it. It seems to be getting a little louder lately. There's been tons of threads on a "mysterious" noise coming from the rear. I searched and searched - it's the shock (internally). I purchased two of those shocks from ebay for $200 and they were both garbage. Got them on the car and they squeaked/clunked worst than the original I pulled out. The only option for me, really, is OE replacement or swap over to something static. Yes, I do the work myself. I've built tons of cars including multiple older Audis. Easy stuff to change out just INSANE on the prices.

[Alabama]

It's not the air that has the issue, it's the electro shocks. The right rear has made a click since I bought the car and I've just lived with it. It seems to be getting a little louder lately. There's been tons of threads on a "mysterious" noise coming from the rear. I searched and searched - it's the shock (internally). I purchased two of those shocks from ebay for $200 and they were both garbage. Got them on the car and they squeaked/clunked worst than the original I pulled out. The only option for me, really, is OE replacement or swap over to something static. Yes, I do the work myself. I've built tons of cars including multiple older Audis. Easy stuff to change out just INSANE on the prices.

As gk1 wrote, Bilstein makes a replacement rear shock that FCP Euro sells for $422 and lifetime warranty (but back ordered at the moment). ECS Tuning has in stock for same price but with limited warranty. That's probably as good a price as you'll get for good quality.