Important!

This replacement procedure can be used for:
AUDI A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) 1.4 TFSI, AUDI A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) 1.8 TFSI, AUDI A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) 2.0 TDI, AUDI A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) 2.0 TDI, AUDI A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) 1.8 TFSI quattro, AUDI A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) 1.6 TDI, AUDI A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) 2.0 TDI, AUDI A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) 2.0 TDI quattro, AUDI A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) 2.0 TDI quattro, AUDI A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) 1.4 TFSI, AUDI A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) 1.2 TFSI, AUDI A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) S3 quattro, AUDI A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) S3 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

All the parts you need to replace – Control Arm for A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) and other AUDI models

Suspension arm

        Suspension arm for A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) Petrol (122 hp)
      
        Suspension arm for A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) Petrol (180 hp)
      
        Suspension arm for A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) Diesel (143 hp)
      
        Suspension arm for A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) Diesel (150 hp)
      
        Suspension arm for A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) Petrol (180 hp)
      
        Suspension arm for A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) Diesel (105 hp)
      
        Suspension arm for A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) Diesel (110 hp)
      
        Suspension arm for A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) Diesel (150 hp)
      
        Suspension arm for A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) Diesel (184 hp)

Replacement: rear suspension lower control arm – AUDI A3 (8V1). List of the tools you'll need:

                        Wire brush
                      
                        WD-40 spray
                      
                        Brake cleaner 
                      
                        Copper grease 
                      
                        Combination spanner #18
                      
                        Drive socket # 18 
                      
                        Wheel impact socket #17
                      
                        Ratchet wrench
                      
                        Torque wrench
                      
                        Hydraulic transmission jack
                      
                        Wheel chock

Buy tools

Replacement: rear suspension lower control arm – AUDI A3 (8V1). AUTODOC recommends:

The replacement procedure is identical for the left and right lower control arms.
All work should be done with the engine stopped.

Replacement: rear suspension lower control arm – AUDI A3 (8V1). Recommended sequence of 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.

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Hold the wheel while unscrewing the fastening bolts. AUDI A3 (8V1)
Step 5

Remove the wheel.
Step 6

Clean all joints of the arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 7

Make a mark on the camber adjustment bolt.
Step 8

Unscrew the arm fastening to the beam. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 9

Support the arm. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 10

Loosen the fastener that connects the control arm to the rear knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 11

Remove the fastening bolt. Use a crowbar.
Step 12

Remove the support from under the arm.

Replacement: rear suspension lower control arm – AUDI A3 (8V1). Tip:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 13

Remove the spring.
Step 14

Unscrew the fastener connecting the control arm to the rear knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.
Step 15

Remove the fastening bolt.
Step 16

Remove the arm.

Step 17

Clean the mounting seats and the thread of the suspension arm. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 18

Install a new arm.

Replacement: rear suspension lower control arm – AUDI A3 (8V1). Tip from AUTODOC experts:
During the installation process, use only new bolts and nuts.
Step 19

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 20

Clean the coil spring mounting seats. Use a wire brush. Use WD-40 spray.
Step 21

Install the coil spring together with the rubber mounts into the mounting seats.
Step 22

Support the arm. Use a crowbar. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 23

Install the fastening bolt.
Step 24

Screw in the fastener connecting the control arm to the rear subframe. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a ratchet wrench.

Replacement: rear suspension lower control arm – AUDI A3 (8V1). AUTODOC experts recommend:
Adjust the position of the alignment bolt according to the mark.
Step 25

Remove the support from under the arm.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: rear suspension lower control arm – AUDI A3 (8V1). Lower the transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging components and mechanisms.
Step 26

Support the stub axle. Use a hydraulic transmission jack.
Step 27

Tighten the arm fastening to the beam. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 95 Nm torque.
Step 28

Tighten the fasteners connecting the control arm to the rear knuckle. Use a combination spanner #18. Use a drive socket #18. Use a torque wrench. Tighten it to 90 Nm torque.+90°

AUTODOC recommends:
Important! Be sure to use new fasteners.
Step 29

Remove the support from under the stub axle.

Replacement: rear suspension lower control arm – AUDI A3 (8V1). Professionals recommend:
Lower the hydraulic transmission jack smoothly, without jerks, to avoid damaging assemblies and mechanisms.
Step 30

Treat all joints of the arm. Use copper grease.
Step 31

Treat the surface where the brake disc contacts the wheel rim. Use copper grease.
Step 32

Clean the brake disk surface. Use a brake cleaner.

AUTODOC recommends:
Replacement: rear suspension lower control arm – AUDI A3 (8V1). After applying the spray, wait a few minutes.
Step 33

Install the wheel.

Replacement: rear suspension lower control arm – AUDI A3 (8V1). Tip from AUTODOC:
To avoid injury, hold up the wheel when screwing in the fastening bolts.
Step 34

Screw in the wheel bolts. Use wheel impact socket #17.
Step 35

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 36

Remove the jacks and chocks.

Was this manual helpful?

Please rate this manual on a scale from 1 to 5. If you have any questions, feel free to ask us.

Searching for the right tyres?

Find out which tyre and wheel sizes are compatible with the AUDI A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) model.

AUDI A3 8v tyre size

How to change rear wheel bearing on AUDI A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.04 MB
How to change front anti roll bar links on AUDI A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.22 MB
How to change track rod end on AUDI A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.47 MB
How to change rear anti roll bar links on AUDI A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.2 MB
How to change front wheel bearing on AUDI A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
2.5 MB
How to change front strut mount on AUDI A3 Hatchback (8V1, 8VK) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
3.41 MB

How to change front lower arm on Audi A3 8PA – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.94 MB
How to change rear suspension lower control arm on AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.63 MB
How to change rear suspension lower trailing arm on AUDI A3 Sportback (8PA) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.67 MB
How to change front lower arm on AUDI A3 Hatchback (8P1) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.9 MB
How to change rear suspension lower control arm on AUDI A3 Hatchback (8P1) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.63 MB
How to change rear suspension lower trailing arm on AUDI A3 Hatchback (8P1) – replacement guide

Free download PDF
1.67 MB

Your profile is your personal assistant.

It can track car expenses, keep a car log and replacement schedule, and save favourite materials, notes and documents

Install the AUTODOC CLUB app!

Your personal car expenses manager, maintenance tips, reminders about upcoming appointments and service intervals, DIY repair instructions – all this on your phone.

Scan

To download the app:

- scan the QR code
- download from App Store
- download from Google Play

How to repair a chipped or cracked windscreen | AUTODOC tips

7K views

Published on: 14/12/2023
How to put on a steering wheel cover | AUTODOC tips

5K views

Published on: 14/03/2024
Replacing your engine cooling fan | AUTODOC tips

3K views

Published on: 15/11/2020
Top 5 mistakes when buying car parts

4K views

Published on: 10/03/2022