Socal_Tom

So I completed the '88 S4 front suspension swap to the '84. Yikes, check out the ride height.

Yep, I know it needs to be driven and bounce around some before settling.

Yep, I know that having the radiator, alternator, A/C compressor and A/C radiator out will have it sit higher but not THAT high.

Any ideas for me - kind of hard to put it together wrong....not that I couldn't find a way mind you.



Thanks!

Speedtoys

Do what youve been told. Drive it.

GT6ixer

Yep. That's a normal height after lifting. She'll settle down.

Socal_Tom

I wish, need an engine that runs first!

Thanks for the response.

Socal_Tom

Phew, thanks Nate!

GregBBRD

You are aware that there are several pieces in the front suspension that can't be tightened (actually they get barely "snugged") until the car is pulled down to the proper ride height, right?

jbrob007

Greg, You mind expanding upon that thought...? I've heard there's a few bolts that we're not supposed to torque until the car is on the ground and settled. Can't for the life of me figure out which ones and I'm sure my front end is not where it needs to be... Any assistance you may provide us novices would be GREATLY appreciated!

BTW, crack that whip on the young whipper-snapper you got working for you and let Jake know I said "Hello Youngin'... hope you're doing well"

Thanks,

Joel

Socal_Tom

Hi Greg!

Hope you are sitting down, but yes, I am and they are still not fully torqued down in that picture.

Just for grins I put the '84s Koni/spring on the driver side and it is about 1/2 lower on that side.

Would the S4 springs be stiffer to help handle the extra weight and thus have the car be extra high (pending that swap)?

Thanks!

Socal_Tom

Hi Joel, get other input before relying on me but the UCA and LCA are the two I believe are in question here.

Imo000

Anything with a rubber bushing should not be tightened until the car is pulled down or pushed up to near ride height.

Socal_Tom

Thanks

Catorce

Think of it this way - when the car is lifted up with the suspension off the ground, it naturally settles to a really strange angle. The front wheels alone have a ton of POSITIVE camber when lifted and hanging free in the air.

When you set the car down, that same posture is more or less retained and the springs compress very little until the car is driven a ways.

Oh, so when are you running the Dakar?:-)

GregBBRD

This is a very common conversion, for me, with the exception that I never do all this work and install the old worn out shocks. Therefore, I'm not 100% sure about what you are going to end up with.

With the adjustment purchases cranked all the way down (with new Bilsteins), the cars end up looking like a "Paris to Dakar" 928, in the front.

I end up doing some machining to get the ride height down and get back some height adjustability from the perches.

Have you already lowered your perches with the adjustment collar? That would be where I would start.

Socal_Tom

Now that is just mean

:-)

Socal_Tom

Hi Greg, I've got other fish to fry now to get these things out of my drive way, I know I've created more work in all likelihood if these shocks don't turn out to be ok. The shell they came from only has 76k on it.

I have not tried to adjust the perches yet, but will need to. Will start there after I press on with the engine removal x2. Seems like a good idea to get the final weight on the suspension and bounce it around some before I freak out (anymore) on the ride height.

Thank you for all of the support and coaching!