Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
AUDI A3 Hatchback (8L1) 1.8, AUDI A3 Hatchback (8L1) 1.6, AUDI A3 Hatchback (8L1) 1.8 T, AUDI A3 Hatchback (8L1) 1.9 TDI, AUDI A3 Hatchback (8L1) 1.9 TDI, AUDI A3 Hatchback (8L1) 1.8 T quattro, AUDI A3 Hatchback (8L1) S3 quattro, AUDI A3 Hatchback (8L1) 1.8 T quattro, AUDI A3 Hatchback (8L1) 1.8 T, AUDI A3 Hatchback (8L1) 1.9 TDI, AUDI A3 Hatchback (8L1) 1.6, AUDI A3 Hatchback (8L1) 1.9 TDI quattro, AUDI A3 Hatchback (8L1) 1.9 TDI, AUDI A3 Hatchback (8L1) S3 quattro … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change front springs / front coil springs on AUDI A3 1 (8L1) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Springs for A3 Hatchback (8L1) and other AUDI models

Coil spring

Supplementary Spring

Coil spring buffer

        Coil spring for AUDI A3 Hatchback (8L1) 1.6 Petrol (101 hp)
      
        Coil spring for AUDI A3 Hatchback (8L1) 1.8 Petrol (125 hp)
      
        Coil spring for AUDI A3 Hatchback (8L1) 1.8 T Petrol (150 hp)
      
        Coil spring for AUDI A3 Hatchback (8L1) 1.9 TDI Diesel (90 hp)
      
        Coil spring for AUDI A3 Hatchback (8L1) 1.9 TDI Diesel (110 hp)
      
        Coil spring for AUDI A3 Hatchback (8L1) 1.8 T quattro Petrol (180 hp)
      
        Coil spring for AUDI A3 Hatchback (8L1) S3 quattro Petrol (210 hp)
      
        Coil spring for AUDI A3 Hatchback (8L1) 1.8 T quattro Petrol (150 hp)
      
        Coil spring for AUDI A3 Hatchback (8L1) 1.8 T Petrol (180 hp)

Replacement: coil springs – Audi A3 8L1. Tools you need:

                        Wire brush
                      
                        WD-40 spray
                      
                        Combination spanner #18
                      
                        Combination spanner #21
                      
                        Drive socket # 13 
                      
                        Drive socket # 18 
                      
                        Drive socket # 22 
                      
                        Copper grease 
                      
                        Torque wrench
                      
                        Wheel impact socket #17
                      
                        12-point socket 1-3/16”
                      
                        HEX bit No.H6.
                      
                        Flare nut socket №22
                      
                        Pin punch
                      
                        Hammer
                      
                        Shock absorber socket
                      
                        Hydraulic transmission jack
                      
                        Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                      
                        Rubber mallet
                      
                        Wheel chock 
                      
                        Fender cover

Buy tools

Replacement: coil springs – Audi A3 8L1. Tip:

Both coil springs of the front suspension should be replaced simultaneously.
The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right coil springs of the front suspension.
You might need other tools.
Warning! Shut down the engine before starting any work – Audi A3 8L1.

Carry out replacement in the following order:

Step 1

Open the bonnet.
Step 2

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 3

Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.
Step 4

Remove the wheel rim cover.
Step 5

Unscrew the hub lock nut. Use 1-3/16" drive 12-point socket.

AUTODOC recommends:
Do not unscrew the fastener by more than 90 degrees.
Step 6

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 7

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 8

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. Audi A3 8L1
Step 9

Remove the wheel.
Step 10

Disconnect the wiring and the brake hose from the bracket on the shock strut.
Step 11

Unscrew the fastener connecting the drive shaft to the wheel hub. Use 1-3/16" drive 12-point socket.
Step 12

Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Clean the fasteners connecting the ball joint to the suspension control arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 13

Unscrew the fastener connecting the ball joint to the suspension control arm. Use a drive socket #13.
Step 14

Disconnect the spherical joint from the arm.

Step 15

Pull the drive shaft out of the steering knuckle and lifting it, tie to the body. Use a hammer. Use a pin punch.

Replacement: coil springs – Audi A3 8L1. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Make sure that the drive shaft is not unloaded (when the car is jacked).
Step 16

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 17

Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18.
Step 18

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Audi A3 8L1 – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 19

Release the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a special drive socket to remove the shock absorber.
Step 20

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.

Replacement: coil springs – Audi A3 8L1. AUTODOC experts recommend:
If necessary, use a rubber mallet.
Step 21

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.

Replacement: coil springs – Audi A3 8L1. AUTODOC recommends:
Make sure that the steering knuckle is not released from load.
Step 22

Unscrew the upper fastening of the shock absorber strut. Use a combination spanner #21. Use HEX No.H6.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts. Audi A3 8L1
Step 23

Remove the suspension strut. Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: coil springs – Audi A3 8L1. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Note that when using a spring compressor, spring coils need to be securely gripped, compressing the spring on the opposite sides.Ensure the correct position of the spring in the retainer.Make sure that the spring coils tightly entered the lock handles.
Step 24

Compress the spring.
Step 25

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use flare nut socket #22. Use HEX No.H6.
Step 26

Remove the top strut mount.
Step 27

Release the coil spring.
Step 28

Remove the spring.
Step 29

Clean the coil spring mounting seats. Clean the shock absorber rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 30

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 31

Compress the spring.
Step 32

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 33

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use flare nut socket #22. Use HEX No.H6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.

Replacement: coil springs – Audi A3 8L1. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 34

Decompress the spring.
Step 35

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 36

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 37

Tighten the upper fastening nut of the shock absorber strut. Do not tighten it.
Step 38

Clean the splines of the drive shaft CV joint. Use a wire brush.
Step 39

Treat the shock strut mounting seat on the steering knuckle. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 40

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.

Replacement: coil springs – Audi A3 8L1. AUTODOC experts recommend:
If necessary, use a rubber mallet.
Step 41

Install and tighten a new bolt of the steering knuckle. Important! Be sure to use new fasteners. Use a drive socket #18. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.+90°
Step 42

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Audi A3 8L1 – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 43

Mount the drive shaft into the wheel hub.
Step 44

Attach the ball joint to the control arm.
Step 45

Screw in the fasteners of the ball joint lock plate (3 pieces). Important! Be sure to use new fasteners. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 20 Nm torque.+90°
Step 46

Screw the nut of the drive shaft.

Step 47

Fasten the brake hose on the strut. Connect the fastener of the ABS sensor cable to the shock absorber strut.
Step 48

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Treat the contacting surface. Use copper grease.

Step 49

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts on the car. Audi A3 8L1
Step 50

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 51

Tighten the drive shaft nut. Use 1-3/16" drive 12-point socket. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 180 Nm torque.
Step 52

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 Nm torque.
Step 53

Install the wheel rim cover.
Step 54

Tighten the shock strut top mount. Use a drive socket #22. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.
Step 55

Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 56

Close the hood.

Step 57

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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