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mika_fuchs1

RS6 Front End Sag Points to Failed Air Suspension System

My 2007 RS6 developed a concerning suspension issue recently. The front end sits noticeably lower than the rear, and the headlights are badly misaligned as a result. The ride quality has gotten really harsh, and theres a warning light on the dash. The leveling system seems to be malfunctioning completely. The car has only 28610 km on it, but my last mechanic experience wasnt great. Has anyone dealt with similar automotive suspension problems? Particularly interested in whether this points to a faulty leveling sensor or something more serious, and what kind of repair costs I should expect.

4 comment(s)

alfredmayer5

I encountered similar height adjustment issues on my 2013 RS7. The symptoms match exactly what you describe, uneven ride height, harsh suspension response, and warning lights indicating a leveling system fault. In my case, the control rod connecting to the height sensor had completely failed, causing the air suspension system to receive incorrect readings. This led to the system being unable to maintain proper ride height and causing the misalignment you mentioned. While the control rod itself is not an expensive component, the repair requires careful calibration of the entire leveling system once replaced. The job needs specialized diagnostic equipment to properly reset and test the height sensors. The severity comes from potential damage to other suspension components if left unaddressed, as incorrect ride height puts unusual stress on struts, bushings and other parts. The repair should be handled by a shop familiar with air suspension systems. They will need to: Test all height sensors, Replace the faulty control rod, Recalibrate the complete leveling system, Verify proper suspension geometry, Reset all related warning lights This is not a repair to postpone, as continued driving with malfunctioning height adjustment can lead to more extensive suspension damage. The low mileage on your RS6 suggests this is likely an age-related failure of the control rod rather than wear and tear.

mika_fuchs1 (Author)

Thanks for sharing your experience. I had very similar symptoms with my RS6 last year when the air suspension started acting up. The height sensor replacement and recalibration fixed it for me, but I am curious about your repair costs. The control module diagnostics alone were quite expensive on my end. Could you share what you ended up paying for the complete fix? Also wondering if youve had any other suspension issues pop up since the repair? The leveling system can be tricky, and sometimes one component failure leads to others.

alfredmayer5

The repair turned out well, I paid 110 Euro for the control rod replacement and sensor calibration, which seems reasonable compared to what others have reported. The Height control restricted warning disappeared immediately after the fix. The air suspension has been working flawlessly since the repair, with no additional leveling system problems. The ride height stays perfectly balanced now, and the harsh ride issue is completely resolved. The diagnostic equipment they used confirmed all height sensors are functioning correctly. Its been about 8 months since the repair, and the car maintains proper leveling without any warning lights or suspension concerns. The key was getting it fixed promptly before it could damage other components in the air suspension system. For anyone else facing similar issues, a faulty leveling sensor or control rod might seem minor, but its critical to address it quickly to prevent more extensive suspension damage. The calibration process after replacement is just as important as the repair itself.

mika_fuchs1 (Author)

Thanks for the input. After seeing your experiences, I finally bit the bullet and took my RS6 to a specialist shop. The control module diagnostics revealed a faulty ride height sensor, just as suspected. Total repair cost came to 450 Euro including labor and parts. The mechanic found the original height sensor had corroded over time, giving false readings to the control module. They replaced both front sensors and recalibrated the entire leveling system. The automotive suspension is now perfectly balanced, no more misaligned headlights or harsh ride. The repair took about 4 hours, but the results were worth it. The load sensor readings are now accurate, and the warning light is gone. The front end sits at the correct height, and the ride quality is back to normal. Really glad I didnt wait longer, as the mechanic mentioned the uneven ride height was starting to stress other suspension components. For anyone facing similar issues, dont hesitate to get it checked. The longer you wait, the more damage you risk to the entire suspension system. Just make sure to find a shop that specializes in air suspension work and has the right diagnostic equipment.

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