Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 1.6, AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 2.0, AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 1.8 T, AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 3.0, AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 1.9 TDI, AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 2.4, AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 2.5 TDI quattro, AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 2.5 TDI, AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 1.8 T quattro, AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 3.0 quattro, AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 1.9 TDI quattro, AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 2.0 FSI, AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 1.8 T, AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 1.8 T quattro, AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 2.5 TDI, AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 2.4, AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 1.8 T, AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 1.8 T quattro, AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 1.9 TDI, AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 3.0, AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 3.0 quattro, AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 1.8 T quattro … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change a front shock strut on AUDI A4 B6 (8E5) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

All the parts you need to replace – Shock Absorber for A4 Avant (8E5, B6) and other AUDI models

Shock absorber

Suspension Strut

        Shock absorber for AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 1.6 Petrol (102 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 2.0 Petrol (130 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 1.8 T Petrol (150 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 3.0 Petrol (220 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 1.9 TDI Diesel (130 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 2.4 Petrol (170 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 2.5 TDI quattro Diesel (180 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 2.5 TDI Diesel (155 hp)
      
        Shock absorber for AUDI A4 Avant (8E5, B6) 1.8 T quattro Petrol (150 hp)

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B6 Avant. List of the tools you'll need:

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

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B6 Avant. Tip from AUTODOC experts:

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 A4 B6 Avant. Recommended sequence of steps:

Step 1

Open the bonnet.
Step 2

Remove the cowl grille seal.
Step 3

Raise up and remove the cowl grille.
Step 4

Use a fender protection cover to prevent damaging paintwork and plastic parts of the car.
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 #16. 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.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. Audi A4 B6 Avant
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. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 14

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 15

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 16

Clean the stabiliser link fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 17

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 18

Remove the stabilizer rod. Use a crowbar.
Step 19

Clean the shock strut fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 20

Unscrew the lower fastener of the shock absorber strut. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 21

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 22

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B6 Avant. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 23

Release the fastener that connects the control arm ball joint to the steering knuckle. Use a flat metal-working chisel. Use a hammer.
Step 24

Detach the upper control arm from the steering knuckle (2 pieces). Use a pin punch. Use a hammer.
Step 25

Detach the bottom part of the shock strut. Use a crowbar.
Step 26

Unscrew the top fastening of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B6 Avant. Tip:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when undoing the fastening bolts.
Step 27

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 28

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B6 Avant. AUTODOC recommends:
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 29

Treat the shock strut rod. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 30

Treat all joints of the arm. Use WD-40 spray.

Step 31

Unscrew the fasteners connecting the control arms to the shock strut mount. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 32

Remove the arm.
Step 33

Unscrew the fasteners connecting the control arms to the shock strut mount. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 34

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 35

Remove the arm.
Step 36

Compress the spring.
Step 37

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use HEX No.H6. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 38

Remove the top strut mount.
Step 39

Remove the shock absorber mount, boot and bump stop.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B6 Avant. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 40

Release the coil spring.
Step 41

Remove the spring.
Step 42

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

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B6 Avant. AUTODOC experts recommend:
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 43

Install the new shock absorber on the hydraulic coil spring compressor.
Step 44

Install the spring on the shock absorber.
Step 45

Compress the spring.
Step 46

Install the mount, the boot and the bump stop on the shock absorber.

Step 47

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 48

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use HEX No.H6. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 50 nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B6 Avant. Professionals recommend:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 49

Decompress the spring.
Step 50

Clean the mounting seats and the thread of the suspension arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 51

Install the control arms.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B6 Avant. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
Position the control arm according to its mounting holes.
Step 52

Install the fastening bolt.

Step 53

Screw in the fasteners connecting the control arms to the shock strut mount. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 54

Tighten the fastener connecting the control arms to the shock strut mount. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 50 Nm torque.+90°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 55

Treat the shock strut rod. Use copper grease.
Step 56

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 57

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 58

Screw the top fastening of the shock strut mount. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench. Do not tighten it.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B6 Avant. AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when screwing the fastening bolts in.
Step 59

Clean the mounting seats of the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 60

Attach the bottom part of the shock strut.
Step 61

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 62

Screw in the lower fastener of the shock strut. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 63

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 64

Treat all joints of the arm. Use a multipurpose grease. Use a flat screwdriver.
Step 65

Attach the upper control arm to the steering knuckle (2 pieces).
Step 66

Install the fastening bolt. Use a crowbar.
Step 67

Screw in the fasteners (2 pieces) of the upper control arm. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18.
Step 68

Ιnstall the transverse stabilizer link.
Step 69

Tighten the stabiliser link fastener.
Step 70

Raise the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.
Step 71

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 45 Nm torque.
Step 72

Tighten the fastener connecting the stabilizer link to the stabilizer bar. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 40 Nm torque.+90°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 73

Tighten the lower fastening of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 90 nm torque.
Step 74

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:
Audi A4 B6 Avant – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 75

Treat all joints of the arm. Treat the shock strut fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 76

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 77

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B6 Avant. Professionals recommend:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 78

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts on the car. Audi A4 B6 Avant
Step 79

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 80

Lower the car.
Step 81

Tighten the upper fastener of the shock absorber strut mount. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 75 Nm torque.
Step 82

Treat the fasteners of the shock strut mount. Use copper grease.
Step 83

Install the shock strut mount cap.
Step 84

Install and secure the cowl grille.
Step 85

Install the cowl grille seal.
Step 86

Tighten the wheel bolts using a criss-cross pattern. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 Nm torque.
Step 87

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 88

Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 89

Close the hood.

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