Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
AUDI A4 Avant (8D5, B5) 1.8, AUDI A4 Avant (8D5, B5) 2.6, AUDI A4 Avant (8D5, B5) 1.9 TDI, AUDI A4 Avant (8D5, B5) 1.9 TDI, AUDI A4 Avant (8D5, B5) 2.8, AUDI A4 Avant (8D5, B5) 2.4, AUDI A4 Avant (8D5, B5) 2.5 TDI, AUDI A4 Avant (8D5, B5) 1.9 TDI, AUDI A4 Avant (8D5, B5) 1.8 T, AUDI A4 Avant (8D5, B5) 1.9 TDI, AUDI A4 Avant (8D5, B5) 1.8, AUDI A4 Avant (8D5, B5) 1.6, AUDI A4 Avant (8D5, B5) 2.4, AUDI A4 Avant (8D5, B5) 2.8 … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

DIY How to change front shock absorbers on AUDI A4 B5 | AUTODOC

Alternative products

Shock absorber

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B5 Avant. Tools you need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner
                    
                      Copper grease
                    
                      HEX bit No.H6.
                    
                      Drive socket # 13
                    
                      Drive socket # 17
                    
                      Drive socket # 18
                    
                      Combination spanner #17
                    
                      Combination spanner #18
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Hammer
                    
                      Pin punch
                    
                      Flat chisel
                    
                      Rubber mallet
                    
                      Flat Screwdriver
                    
                      Pliers 
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                    
                      Fender cover
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B5 Avant. 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.

Carry out replacement in the following order:

Step 1

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 2

Loosen the wheel mounting bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 3

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 4

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B5 Avant. AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 5

Remove the wheel.
Step 6

Clean the fastening bolt that connects the shock absorber fork with the lower control arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 7

Unscrew the fastening bolt that connects the shock absorber fork with the lower control arm. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 8

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 9

Unscrew the upper arm fastenings. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a drive socket #17. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 10

Remove the fastening bolt. Use a pin punch. Use a hammer.
Step 11

Remove the control arms. Use a flat metal-working chisel. Use a hammer.
Step 12

Detach the bottom part of the shock strut.
Step 13

Lower the car.
Step 14

Open the bonnet.
Step 15

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

Step 16

Remove the protective caps out of the shock absorber mounting fastener. Use a flat screwdriver. Use pliers.
Step 17

Unscrew the upper fasteners of the shock strut. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while unscrewing the fastening bolts. Audi A4 B5 Avant
Step 18

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 19

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B5 Avant. AUTODOC experts recommend:
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 20

Compress the spring.

Step 21

Treat the shock strut rod. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 22

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 23

Remove the top strut mount.
Step 24

Release the coil spring.

Step 25

Remove the spring.
Step 26

Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B5 Avant. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 27

Remove the rubber spring spacer.

Step 28

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

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B5 Avant. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 29

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 30

Install the rubber spring spacer.

Step 31

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 32

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

Step 33

Compress the spring.
Step 34

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 35

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #18. Use HEX No.H6. Use a ratchet wrench. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 50 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B5 Avant. Tip from AUTODOC:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 36

Decompress the spring.

Step 37

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 38

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 39

Secure the upper fasteners of the shock strut.

AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when screwing the fastening bolts in.
Step 40

Tighten the upper fasteners of the shock strut. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 20 Nm torque.
Step 41

Put the protective caps onto the shock absorber mounting fastener. Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 42

Remove the fender protection cover.

Step 43

Close the hood.
Step 44

Raise the front of the car and secure on supports.
Step 45

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 46

Attach the bottom part of the shock strut.
Step 47

Install the fastening bolt. Use a pin punch. Use a hammer.
Step 48

Install the control arms Use a rubber mallet.
Step 49

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 50

Tighten the upper arm fastenings. Use a combination spanner #17. Use a drive socket #17. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 40 Nm torque.
Step 51

Raise the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.
Step 52

Tighten the fastening bolt that connects the shock absorber fork to the lower control arm. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 90 Nm torque.
Step 53

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Audi A4 B5 Avant – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 54

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 55

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 56

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B5 Avant. Tip:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 57

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts. Audi A4 B5 Avant
Step 58

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 59

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 60

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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