Disclaimer

How to change front suspension strut on Audi A3 8PA – replacement guide

downloads: 40

Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) 1.6 E-Power, AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) 1.6, AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) 1.9 TDI, AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) 1.6 FSI, AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) 2.0 FSI, AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) 3.2 V6 quattro, AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) 2.0 TDI 16V, AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) 2.0 TFSI, AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) 2.0 TFSI quattro, AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) 2.0 TDI, AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) 2.0 TDI 16V quattro, AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) 2.0 TDI, AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) 2.0 TDI quattro, AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) 2.0 TDI, AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) 2.0 TDI quattro, AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) 1.8 TFSI, AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) 1.4 TFSI, AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) 1.8 TFSI quattro, AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) 1.6 TDI, AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) 1.6 TDI, AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) 2.0 TDI, AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) 1.2 TSI … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change a front shock strut on AUDI A3 2 (8PA) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

Alternative products

Shock absorber

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A3 8PA. Tools you might need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      HEX bit No.H6.
                    
                      HEX bit No.H7.
                    
                      XZN socket bit # 14 
                    
                      Drive socket # 13 
                    
                      Drive socket # 16 
                    
                      Drive socket # 18 
                    
                      Drive socket # 21 
                    
                      Drive socket # 24 
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Tap wrench
                    
                      Shock absorber socket
                    
                      Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Fender cover
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

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

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.
Please note: all work on the car – Audi A3 8PA – should be done with the engine switched off.

Carry out replacement in the following order:

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

Clean the fasteners of the shock strut upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 6

Loosen the upper fastener of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 7

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 8

Loosen the fastener of the driveshaft. Use a drive socket #24. Use a tap wrench.
Step 9

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 10

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 11

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A3 8PA. AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 12

Remove the wheel.
Step 13

Clean the stabiliser link fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 14

Unscrew the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 15

Remove the stabilizer rod.
Step 16

Clean the fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 17

Unscrew the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use XZN #14. Use a drive socket #18. Use a tap wrench. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 18

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 19

Unscrew the fastener connecting the drive shaft to the wheel hub. Use a drive socket #24. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 20

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 21

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

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A3 8PA. Tip:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.Wear protective goggles.
Step 22

Unscrew the fastener connecting the ball joint to the suspension control arm. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 23

Disconnect the spherical joint from the arm.
Step 24

Remove the drive shaft.
Step 25

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 26

Release the lower fastener connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a special drive socket to remove the shock absorber. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 27

Disconnect the steering knuckle from the shock absorber strut.
Step 28

Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts. Audi A3 8PA
Step 29

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 30

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A3 8PA. 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 31

Compress the spring.
Step 32

Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 33

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use HEX No.H7. Use a drive socket #21. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 34

Remove the shock absorber mount, boot and bump stop.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A3 8PA. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 35

Release the coil spring.
Step 36

Remove the spring.
Step 37

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

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A3 8PA. AUTODOC recommends:
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 38

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 39

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 40

Compress the spring.
Step 41

Install the mount, boot and bump stop onto a new shock absorber.
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 A3 8PA. AUTODOC experts recommend:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 43

Treat the shock strut rod. Use copper grease.
Step 44

Decompress the spring.
Step 45

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 46

Treat the mounting seats of the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 47

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 48

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

AUTODOC recommends:
Audi A3 8PA – To avoid injury, hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 49

Treat the shock strut mounting seat on the steering knuckle. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 50

Fix the shock absorber strut on the steering knuckle.
Step 51

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 52

Clean the splines of the drive shaft CV joint. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 53

Clean the mounting seats and the thread of the suspension arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 54

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Audi A3 8PA – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 55

Mount the drive shaft into the wheel hub.
Step 56

Attach the ball joint to the control arm.
Step 57

Screw the fasteners of the ball joint. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 58

Install and tighten the drive shaft bolt. Use a drive socket #24. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 59

Screw in the fastener that connects the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18. Use XZN #14. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 60

Ιnstall the transverse stabilizer link.
Step 61

Tighten the stabiliser link fastener. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 62

Tighten the lower fasteners connecting the shock strut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 70 Nm torque.+90°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 63

Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the shock strut. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 65 Nm torque.
Step 64

Tighten the ball joint fastener. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 60 nm torque.
Step 65

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Treat all joints of the arm. Use copper grease.
Step 66

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 67

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A3 8PA. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 68

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts. Audi A3 8PA
Step 69

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 70

Lower the car.

Step 71

Tighten the bolt connecting the drive shaft to the wheel hub. Use a drive socket #24. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 200 Nm torque.+180°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 72

Tighten the wheel bolts using a criss-cross pattern. Use wheel impact socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 Nm torque.
Step 73

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 74

Tighten the upper fastener of the shock absorber strut mount. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 15 Nm torque.+90°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 75

Install and secure the cowl grille.
Step 76

Install the cowl grille seal.
Step 77

Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 78

Close the hood.

Was this manual helpful?

Please rate this manual on a scale from 1 to 5. If you have any questions, feel free to ask us.

Need New Tyres?

Find out which tyre and wheel sizes are compatible with the AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) model

Audi A3 8P Sportback tyre size

How to change rear shock absorbers on Audi A3 8PA – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.35 MB
How to change front coil springs on Audi A3 8PA – replacement guide

Free download PDF
3.9 MB
How to change rear coil springs on Audi A3 8PA – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.9 MB
How to change rear brake pads on Audi A3 8PA – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.55 MB
How to change front brake pads on Audi A3 8PA – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.53 MB
How to change rear brake discs on Audi A3 8PA – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.95 MB

How to change rear shock absorbers on Audi A3 8PA – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.35 MB
How to change rear shock absorbers on AUDI A3 Hatchback (8P1) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.3 MB
How to change front suspension strut on AUDI A3 Hatchback (8P1) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
3.71 MB
How to change rear shock absorbers on AUDI A3 Sportback (8VA, 8VF) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.71 MB
How to change front suspension strut on AUDI A3 Sportback (8VA, 8VF) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
3.85 MB
How to change rear shock absorbers on AUDI A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.7 MB

Unlock your car maintenance assistant!

Track expenses, manage logs, schedule replacements, and more.

How to Polish Your Car Yourself and Save Money on Garage Services | AUTODOC tips

6K views

Published on: 31/03/2022
Three ways to change oil without a lift

10K views

Published on: 18/09/2025
Understanding Airbag Light Warnings | Essential Tips for Car Safety

6K views

Published on: 10/04/2023
Top 5 possible reasons your car is shaking or vibrating

6K views

Published on: 14/02/2025