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) S3 quattro, AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) 1.2 TSI, AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) S3 quattro … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

How to change rear shock absorber on AUDI A3 2 (8PA) [TUTORIAL AUTODOC]

Alternative products

Shock absorber

Replacement: shock absorbers – Audi A3 8PA. Tools you might need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Combination spanner #18
                    
                      Drive socket # 16 
                    
                      Drive socket # 18 
                    
                      Torx bit T27
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Shock absorber socket #DD6
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Vice
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: shock absorbers – Audi A3 8PA. Professionals recommend:

Both shock absorbers of the rear suspension should be replaced simultaneously.
The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right shock absorbers of the rear suspension.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: shock absorbers – Audi A3 8PA. Take the following steps:

Step 1

Secure the wheels with chocks.
Step 2

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

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

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

Replacement: shock absorbers – Audi A3 8PA. Tip:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when unscrewing the bolts.
Step 5

Remove the wheel.
Step 6

Clean the fasteners of the locker. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 7

Unscrew the wheel arch cover fasteners. Use Torx T27.
Step 8

Move the part aside.
Step 9

Clean the shock absorber fasteners. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 10

Unscrew the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 11

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 12

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 13

Unscrew the upper fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.

AUTODOC recommends:
Audi A3 8PA – To avoid injury, hold the shock absorber while unscrewing the fastening bolts.
Step 14

Remove the support from under the arm.

Replacement: shock absorbers – Audi A3 8PA. AUTODOC experts recommend:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 15

Remove the shock absorber.
Step 16

Grip the shock absorber in a vice.
Step 17

Remove the protective cap of the shock absorber mount. Use a crowbar.
Step 18

Clean the shock absorber rod fastener. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 19

Remove the shock absorber piston rod fastening. Use a shock absorber socket DD№6. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 20

Remove the shock absorber mount, boot and bump stop.

Replacement: shock absorbers – Audi A3 8PA. Tip from AUTODOC:
Τhoroughly examine the shock absorber mount, dust boot, bump stop. Replace them if necessary.Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 21

Install the mount, boot and bump stop onto a new shock absorber.
Step 22

Screw the shock strut piston rod upper fastening. Use a shock absorber socket DD№6. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 25 nm torque.
Step 23

Treat the shock absorber rod fastener. Use copper grease.
Step 24

Install the protective cap of the shock absorber mount.
Step 25

Release the vice and take out the shock absorber.

Step 26

Clean the shock absorber mounting seats. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 27

Place the shock absorber in the wheel arch and secure it.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the shock absorber while screwing in the fastening bolts. Audi A3 8PA
Step 28

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 29

Screw in the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a combination spanner #18.
Step 30

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 31

Tighten the top shock absorber fastening. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 50 Nm torque.
Step 32

Treat the shock absorber fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 33

Tighten the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 120 Nm torque.
Step 34

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:
Audi A3 8PA – Do not lower the transmission jack sharply to avoid damaging components and mechanisms of the car.
Step 35

Install the wheel arch cover to its mounting seat.
Step 36

Screw in the fasteners. Use Torx T27.
Step 37

Treat the shock absorber fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 38

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 39

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

Replacement: shock absorbers – Audi A3 8PA. Tip from AUTODOC experts:
After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 40

Install the wheel.

Replacement: shock absorbers – Audi A3 8PA. Tip:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 41

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 42

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 43

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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