Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
AUDI A3 Limousine (8YS) 30 TDI, AUDI A3 Limousine (8YS) 35 TDI, AUDI A3 Limousine (8YS) 35 TFSI Mild Hybrid, AUDI A3 Limousine (8YS) 35 TFSI, AUDI A3 Limousine (8YS) 30 TFSI, AUDI A3 Limousine (8YS) 30 TFSI Mild Hybrid, AUDI A3 Limousine (8YS) S3 quattro, AUDI A3 Limousine (8YS) 40 TDI quattro … View more

The steps may slightly vary depending on the car design.

This video shows the replacement procedure of a similar car part on another vehicle

Alternative products

Shock absorber

Replacement: shock absorbers – AUDI A3 Limousine (8YS). Tools you might need:

                      Wire brush
                    
                      WD-40 spray
                    
                      Brake cleaner 
                    
                      Ceramic grease
                    
                      Copper grease 
                    
                      Torque wrench
                    
                      Combination spanner #18
                    
                      Drive socket # 13
                    
                      Drive socket # 16
                    
                      Drive socket # 18
                    
                      Shock absorber socket DD#5,2
                    
                      Shock absorber socket DD#6
                    
                      Torx bit T25
                    
                      Wheel impact socket #17
                    
                      Ratchet wrench
                    
                      Vice
                    
                      Crow bar
                    
                      Hydraulic transmission jack
                    
                      Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: shock absorbers – AUDI A3 Limousine (8YS). AUTODOC experts 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.
Please note: all work on the car – AUDI A3 Limousine (8YS) – should be done with the engine switched off.

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 car.

Replacement: shock absorbers – AUDI A3 Limousine (8YS). AUTODOC experts recommend:
If you are using a jack, make sure it rests on a flat surface without any unevenness.Be sure to additionally secure the car with jack stands.
Step 4

Unscrew the wheel bolts.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. AUDI A3 Limousine (8YS)
Step 5

Remove the wheel.
Step 6

Clean the lower shock absorber fastener. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 7

Support the rear knuckle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 8

Unscrew the lower fastener of the shock absorber. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 9

Clean the locker fasteners. Use a wire brush.
Step 10

Unscrew the locker fasteners. Use Torx T25. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 11

Move the locker aside to gain access to the upper shock absorber fasteners.
Step 12

Clean the charcoal canister fastener. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 13

Unscrew the charcoal canister fastener. Use a drive socket #13. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 14

Move the charcoal canister aside to gain access to the upper shock absorber fasteners.
Step 15

Clean the fasteners of the shock absorber upper mount. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 16

Unscrew the shock absorber mount fasteners. Use a drive socket #16. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 17

Remove the fastening bolts.
Step 18

Lower the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.
Step 19

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 20

Remove the shock absorber.
Step 21

Clean the shock absorber mounting seats. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 22

Grip the shock absorber in a vice.
Step 23

Remove the shock absorber mount cap. Use a crowbar.
Step 24

Clean the shock absorber rod fastener. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 25

Remove the fastener of the shock absorber piston rod. Use a drive socket #16. Use a shock absorber socket DD№5,2. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 26

Remove the shock absorber mount, boot and bump stop.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: shock absorbers – AUDI A3 Limousine (8YS). Carefully inspect the mount, the boot, and the bump stop of the shock absorber. Replace if necessary.
Step 27

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

AUTODOC recommends:
Before installing a new shock absorber you should pump it manually 3-5 times.
Step 28

Tighten the shock absorber rod nut. Use a drive socket #16. Use a shock absorber socket DD№6. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 25 Nm torque.
Step 29

Treat the shock absorber rod fastener. Use copper grease.
Step 30

Install the shock absorber mount cap.
Step 31

Release the vice and take out the shock absorber.
Step 32

Place the shock absorber in the wheel arch and secure it.
Step 33

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 34

Raise the hydraulic transmission jack by 10-15 cm.
Step 35

Install the fastening bolts.
Step 36

Tighten the shock absorber mount fasteners. Use a drive socket #16. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 50 Nm torque.+45°
Step 37

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

Reinstall the charcoal canister.
Step 39

Tighten the charcoal canister fastener. Use a drive socket #13. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 12 Nm torque.
Step 40

Treat the charcoal canister fastener. Use copper grease.
Step 41

Install the wheel arch cover to its mounting seat.
Step 42

Screw in the locker fasteners. Use Torx T25. Use a ratchet wrench.

AUTODOC recommends:
For tightening the fasteners correctly, you have to jack up the suspension components to their working position.
Step 43

Tighten the lower fastener of the shock absorber. 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 44

Remove the support from under the rear knuckle.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: shock absorbers – AUDI A3 Limousine (8YS). Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 45

Treat the shock absorber fasteners. Use copper grease.
Step 46

Clean the wheel rim mounting seat. Use a wire brush.
Step 47

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use ceramic grease.
Step 48

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: shock absorbers – AUDI A3 Limousine (8YS). After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 49

Install the wheel.

AUTODOC recommends:
Warning! To avoid injury, hold the wheel while screwing in the fastening bolts on the car. AUDI A3 Limousine (8YS)
Step 50

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 51

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 52

Remove the jacks and chocks.

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