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How to change front suspension strut on Audi A4 B7 – replacement guide

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Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 2.0 TFSI quattro, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 3.2 FSI, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 3.2 FSI quattro, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 2.0 TDI, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 2.0 TDI 16V, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 3.0 TDI quattro, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 1.8 T, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 1.8 T quattro, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 2.0, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 1.6, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 1.9 TDI, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 2.5 TDI, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 2.0 TFSI, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 2.0 TFSI quattro, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 3.0, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 2.0 TDI quattro, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 2.0 TDI, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 2.0 TDI quattro, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 2.7 TDI, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 3.0 TDI quattro, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 2.0 TDI, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 2.0 TFSI, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 3.0 quattro, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 2.0 TDI, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 2.0 TDI, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 2.0 TDI quattro, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 2.0 TDI, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 2.7 TDI, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 2.0 TFSI, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 3.2 FSI, AUDI A4 Saloon (8EC, B7) 1.8 T … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change a front shock strut on AUDI A4 (B7) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

Alternative products

Shock absorber

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B7. List of the tools you'll need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner
                    
                      Copper grease
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Combination spanner #13
                    
                      Combination spanner #16
                    
                      Combination spanner #18
                    
                      Drive socket # 13
                    
                      Drive socket # 15
                    
                      Drive socket # 16
                    
                      Drive socket # 18
                    
                      Drive socket # 19
                    
                      HEX bit No.H5.
                    
                      HEX bit No.H6.
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Hammer
                    
                      Pin punch
                    
                      Flat chisel
                    
                      Flat Screwdriver
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Hydraulic strut spring compressor
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Fender cover
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B7. 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 A4 B7. Recommended sequence of 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

Raise up and remove the cowl grille.
Step 4

Remove the shock strut mount cap. Use a flat screwdriver.
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 #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 B7
Step 11

Remove the wheel.
Step 12

Clean all joints of the arm. Clean the fastener connecting the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Clean the shock strut fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 13

Unscrew the upper arm fastenings. Use a combination spanner #16.
Step 14

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 15

Loosen the tie rod end fastening bolt. Use a combination spanner #13.
Step 16

Unscrew the end fastening nut to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #15. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 17

Remove the fastening bolt. Use a pin punch. Use a hammer.
Step 18

Disconnect the tie rod end from the steering knuckle. Use a flat metal-working chisel. Use a hammer.
Step 19

Remove the control arms. Use a flat metal-working chisel. Use a hammer.
Step 20

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 21

Unscrew the fastener connecting the shock strut to the suspension control arm. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 22

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

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B7. AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injuries, hold the shock strut when undoing the fastening bolts.
Step 23

Clean all joints of the arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 24

Unscrew the rear fastener connecting the control arm to the subframe. Use a combination spanner #18 (2 pieces).
Step 25

Unscrew the front arm fastener. Use a combination spanner #18 (2 pieces).

Step 26

Lower the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B7. Tip:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 27

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 28

Remove the suspension strut.
Step 29

Set the shock absorber strut on the spring compressor tool.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B7. 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 30

Treat the shock strut rod. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 31

Compress the spring.
Step 32

Remove the strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #18. Use HEX No.H5. 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.
Step 36

Remove the shock absorber dust cap and the bump stop.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B7. Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 37

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

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B7. Tip:
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 dust sleeve and the bump stop on the new shock absorber.
Step 42

Install the upper strut mount and the strut mount bearing.
Step 43

Tighten the shock strut piston rod nut. Use a drive socket #19. Use HEX No.H6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 50 Nm torque.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B7. AUTODOC recommends:
Check to make sure the spring is positioned correctly. Avoid its misalignment.
Step 44

Decompress the spring.

Step 45

Treat the shock strut rod. Use copper grease.
Step 46

Remove the assembled shock strut.
Step 47

Treat the mounting seats of the shock strut. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 48

Install the shock strut into the wheel arch.
Step 49

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

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the suspension strut while screwing in the fastening bolts. Audi A4 B7
Step 50

Install the fastener connecting the shock strut to the suspension control arm.
Step 51

Screw in the fastener connecting the suspension strut to the control arm. Use a combination spanner #18 (2 pieces).

Step 52

Clean the mounting seats and the thread of the suspension arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 53

Raise the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.

Step 54

Install the control arms.
Step 55

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 56

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Audi A4 B7 – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 57

Clean the mounting seats of the tie rod end. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 58

Connect the tie rod end to the steering knuckle.
Step 59

Install the fastening bolt.

Step 60

Screw in the tie rod end fastening bolt. Use a combination spanner #13.
Step 61

Screw on the fastening nut that connects the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #15. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 62

Tighten the tie rod end fastening bolt. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 7 nm torque.
Step 63

Tighten the fastening nut connecting the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Use a drive socket #15. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 45 nm torque.
Step 64

Tighten the upper arm fastenings. Use a combination spanner #16. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 40 nm torque.
Step 65

Prop up the steering knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 66

Tighten the fastener connecting the shock strut to the suspension control arm. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 90 Nm torque.
Step 67

Tighten the front fastener connecting the control arm to the subframe. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 70 Nm torque.+180°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 68

Tighten the rear fastener connecting the arm to the body subframe. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 70 Nm torque.+180°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 69

Remove the support from under the steering knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B7. Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 70

Treat the shock strut fasteners. Treat the fastener connecting the tie rod end to the steering knuckle. Treat all joints of the arm. Use copper grease.
Step 71

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush.
Step 72

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 73

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: suspension strut – Audi A4 B7. Tip:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 74

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 75

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 76

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 77

Remove the jacks and chocks.
Step 78

Tighten the upper fastener of the shock absorber strut mount. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 50 Nm torque.
Step 79

Treat the fasteners of the shock strut mount. Use copper grease.
Step 80

Install the shock strut mount cap.
Step 81

Install and secure the cowl grille.
Step 82

Remove the fender protection cover.
Step 83

Close the hood.

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