Auto Service

How to Lower an Audi TT

Replacing Front Springs
1. Raise the front of the vehicle and secure it so that both front wheels are off the ground. Remove the wheels.
2. Remove the ABS (antilock brake) wire grommet and cable from the strut and remove the lower pinch bolt that connects the strut to the steering knuckle.
3. Compress the spring with the spring compressor to relieve pressure from the suspension. Separate the strut from the steering knuckle (which might take some effort), lowering the lower control arm as needed. Remove the axle from the steering knuckle and lay it on the lower suspension.
4. Remove the windshield wipers and cover (later model Audi TTs) to access the upper strut bolt. Remove the single strut bolt while an assistant supports it from the bottom. Allowing the strut to simply fall without support may cause the spring clamp to jar loose, sending the highly pressurized spring flying across your garage.
5. Slowly remove the spring clamp from the strut assembly and lift the spring free of the strut. Replace the stock spring with one of the front springs from your kit; Audi TT springs arent reversible, so make sure you put it on right-way-up.
6. Reverse the removal procedure to reinstall your strut and its new, lower spring. Repeat the entire removal/replacement procedure on the other side.
Rear Spring Installation
7. Raise the rear of the vehicle (allowing the suspension to fully droop), support it with jack stands and remove both tires. Remove the antilock brake sensor cable from the inner fenders (if so equipped). If replacing the shock absorber at this time, youll need to partially remove the inner fender lining to access its top bolt.
8. Put the spring compressor on the coil spring to relieve pressure from the suspension. Remove the shock-absorber-to-control arm bolt. Remove the compressed spring, then carefully remove the compressor from your spring.
9. Apply the compressor to your new spring and install it in place of the old. Depending on the amount of suspension drop, you may or may not need to use the spring compressor to install the new springs. If this is the case, simply slip the spring into place and use your floor jack to raise the rear suspension far enough to reinstall the shock absorber bolt. The remainder of installation is the reverse of removal. Take your now-lower Audi to a qualified shop and have the suspension realigned.