Important!

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

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change a front shock strut on AUDI A3 1 (8L1) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

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

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Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A3 8L1. List of the tools you'll need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Drive socket # 18 
                    
                      Drive socket # 13 
                    
                      Combination spanner #18
                    
                      Combination spanner #19
                    
                      Combination spanner #21
                    
                      Drive socket # 19 
                    
                      HEX bit No.H6.
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      12-point socket 1-3/16”
                    
                      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: suspension strut – Audi A3 8L1. Professionals recommend:

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.
You might need other tools.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A3 8L1. Use the following procedure:

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.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A3 8L1. 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.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A3 8L1. AUTODOC experts recommend:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
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.

AUTODOC recommends:
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.
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: suspension strut – Audi A3 8L1. Tip:
If necessary, use a rubber mallet.
Step 21

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

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.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A3 8L1. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when undoing the fastening bolts.
Step 23

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

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A3 8L1. Tip from AUTODOC:
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

Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.
Step 30

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

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A3 8L1. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 31

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 32

Install the dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 33

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 34

Compress the spring.
Step 35

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 36

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a combination spanner #19. Use HEX No.H6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A3 8L1. Professionals recommend:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 37

Decompress the spring.
Step 38

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 39

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 40

Tighten the upper fastening nut of the shock absorber strut. Do not tighten it.
Step 41

Clean the splines of the drive shaft CV joint. Use a wire brush.
Step 42

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

Step 43

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A3 8L1. AUTODOC recommends:
If necessary, use a rubber mallet.
Step 44

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 45

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

Step 46

Mount the drive shaft into the wheel hub.
Step 47

Attach the ball joint to the control arm.
Step 48

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 49

Screw the nut of the drive shaft.
Step 50

Fasten the brake hose on the strut. Connect the fastener of the ABS sensor cable to the shock absorber strut.
Step 51

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush. Treat the contacting surface. Use copper grease.
Step 52

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 53

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 54

Tighten the drive shaft nut. Use 1-3/16" drive 12-point socket. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 180 Nm torque.
Step 55

Lower the car and working in a cross order, tighten the wheel bolts. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 Nm torque.
Step 56

Tighten the shock strut top mount. Use a drive socket #19. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 Nm torque.
Step 57

Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 58

Close the hood.
Step 59

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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