Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
AUDI A6 Saloon (4F2, C6) 2.0 TDI, AUDI A6 Avant (4F5, C6) 2.0 TDI

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change a front shock strut on AUDI A6 2 (C6) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A6 4F2. Tools you'll need:

                        Wire brush
                      
                        WD-40 spray
                      
                        Brake cleaner 
                      
                        Copper grease 
                      
                        Combination spanner #16
                      
                        Combination spanner #18
                      
                        Drive socket # 15 
                      
                        Drive socket # 16 
                      
                        Drive socket # 18 
                      
                        Drive socket # 21 
                      
                        HEX bit no.H6.
                      
                        Wheel impact socket #17
                      
                        Ratchet wrench
                      
                        Torque wrench
                      
                        Hammer
                      
                        Flat chisel
                      
                        Crow bar
                      
                        Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                      
                        Hydraulic transmission jack
                      
                        Fender cover
                      
                        Wheel chock

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for A6 Saloon (4F2, C6) and other AUDI models

AUDI A6 Saloon (4F2, C6) 2.0 TDI

AUDI A6 Avant (4F5, C6) 2.0 TDI

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A6 4F2. AUTODOC recommends:

Both shock struts of the front suspension should be replaced simultaneously.
The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right shock struts of the front suspension.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A6 4F2. Take the following steps:

Step 1

Open the bonnet.
Step 2

Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.
Step 3

Remove the cowl grille seal.
Step 4

Raise up and remove the cowl grille.
Step 5

Remove the shock strut mount cap.Use a crowbar.
Step 6

Loosen the upper fastener of the shock strut mount.Use a drive socket #15.Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 7

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 8

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts.Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 9

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 10

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A6 4F2. Professionals recommend:

To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 11

Remove the wheel.
Step 12

Clean all joints of the arm.Use a wire brush.Use WD-40 spray.
Step 13

Unscrew the upper control arm fasteners (2 pieces). Use a combination spanner #18 (2 pieces).Use a drive socket #18.
Step 14

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 15

Release the fastener that connects the control arm ball joint to the steering knuckle.Use a flat metal-working chisel.Use a hammer.
Step 16

Detach the upper control arm from the steering knuckle.Use a crowbar.
Step 17

Clean the fastening bolt that connects the shock absorber fork with the lower control arm. Use a wire brush.Use WD-40 spray.
Step 18

Unscrew the fastener connecting the shock strut to the suspension control arm.Use a combination spanner #18 (2 pieces).
Step 19

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 20

Clean the stabiliser link fasteners.Use a wire brush.Use WD-40 spray.
Step 21

Unscrew the fasteners connecting the stabiliser link to the stabiliser bar.Use a combination spanner #16.Use a drive socket #16.Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 22

Remove the stabilizer rod.Use a crowbar.
Step 23

Detach the fastener that connects the shock strut to the control arm.Use a crowbar.
Step 24

Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount.Use a drive socket #15.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A6 4F2. AUTODOC experts recommend:

To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when undoing the fastening bolts.
Step 25

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 26

Make marks on the control arms and the shock strut mount.
Step 27

Unscrew the fasteners connecting the control arms to the shock strut mount.Use a combination spanner #18 (2 pieces).
Step 28

Remove the control arms.
Step 29

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A6 4F2. Tip:

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 30

Compress the spring.
Step 31

Treat the shock strut rod.Use a wire brush.Use WD-40 spray.
Step 32

Remove the strut piston rod nut.Use HEX No.H6.Use a drive socket #21.Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 33

Remove the top strut mount.Use a crowbar.
Step 34

Release the coil spring.
Step 35

Remove the spring.Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.

AUTODOC recommends:

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A6 4F2. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 36

Remove the old shock absorber from the hydraulic coil spring compressor.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A6 4F2. Tip from AUTODOC experts:

Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 37

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 38

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 39

Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 40

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 41

Compress the spring.
Step 42

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use HEX No.H6.Use a drive socket #21.Use a torque wrench.Tighten it to 60 nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A6 4F2. Tip from AUTODOC:

Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 43

Decompress the spring.
Step 44

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 45

Install the control arms.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A6 4F2. AUTODOC recommends:

Position the control arm according to its mounting holes.
Step 46

Screw in the fasteners connecting the control arms to the shock strut mount.Use a combination spanner #18 (2 pieces).
Step 47

Tighten the fastener connecting the control arms to the shock strut mount.Use a combination spanner #18.Use a drive socket #18.Use a torque wrench.Tighten it to 80 nm torque.
Step 48

Treat the shock strut rod.Use copper grease.
Step 49

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 50

Screw the top fastening of the shock strut mount.Do not tighten it.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A6 4F2. Tip from AUTODOC experts:

To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when screwing the fastening bolts in.
Step 51

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 52

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 53

Tighten the fastener connecting the shock strut to the suspension control arm.Use a combination spanner #18 (2 pieces).Use a torque wrench.Tighten it to 92 nm torque.
Step 54

Clean the mounting seats and the thread of the suspension arm. Use a wire brush.Use WD-40 spray.
Step 55

Release the fastener that connects the control arm ball joint to the steering knuckle.Use a flat metal-working chisel.Use a hammer.
Step 56

Treat all joints of the arm.Use copper grease.
Step 57

Attach the upper control arm to the steering knuckle.
Step 58

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 59

Tighten the upper control arm fasteners (2 pieces).Use a combination spanner #18.Use a drive socket #18.Use a torque wrench.Tighten it to 82 nm torque.
Step 60

Ιnstall the transverse stabilizer link.
Step 61

Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the stabilizer bar.Use a drive socket #16.Use a torque wrench.Tighten it to 65 nm torque.
Step 62

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A6 4F2. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 63

Treat all joints of the arm.Treat the shock strut fasteners.Use copper grease.
Step 64

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush.Treat the contacting surface.Use copper grease.
Step 65

Clean the brake disk surface.Use a brake cleaner.

AUTODOC recommends:

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A6 4F2. After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 66

Install the wheel.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A6 4F2. Tip from AUTODOC experts:

To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 67

Screw in the wheel bolts.Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 68

Lower the car.
Step 69

Tighten the upper fastener of the shock absorber strut mount.Use a drive socket #15.Use a torque wrench.Tighten it to 65 Nm torque.
Step 70

Install the shock strut mount cap.
Step 71

Install and secure the cowl grille.
Step 72

Install the cowl grille seal.
Step 73

Tighten the wheel bolts using a criss-cross pattern.Use a torque wrench.Tighten it to 120 Nm torque.
Step 74

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 75

Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 76

Close the hood.

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