Removing and installing shock absorber — AUDI

🔩 Torque settings

Values can differ between engine variants — check the code stamped on your block.

ℹ️ Always cross-check the exact figure against your vehicle's factory manual before final tightening — a wrong torque can damage the engine. These values are extracted from workshop data and may not cover every variant or revision.

📋 Procedure

1. On vehicles with sound system "Premium" (BOSE) or sound system "Advanced" (Bang & Olufsen), remove effect loudspeaker Communication91Sound system; Overview of fitting locations - sound system.
2. On vehicles with sound system "Standard", remove loudspeaker trim General body repairs, interior70Door trim (rear); Exploded view - door trim (rear).
3. Position vehicle on lifting platform .
4. Remove wheel .
5. Bleed air spring struts of rear axle by starting appropriate program on diagnostic tester.

6. Move noise insulation aside.
7. Remove nuts (1) for air spring strut. [Note: For illustration purposes, bolt connections for air spring strut are shown with rear shelf removed.]
8. Remove wheel housing liner General body repairs, exterior66Wheel housing liner; Removing and installing wheel housing liner (rear).
9. Unplug connector (1).
10. Unscrew connection piece at residual pressure valve (2). This will allow air to escape.
11. Mark installation position of bracket (arrow).
12. Unclip pipes/wiring from bracket (arrow).
13. Remove bolt (1) and detach bracket (2) with pipes/wiring.
14. Unscrew bolt (1) for coupling rod.
15. Remove bolt (1). [Note: The bolt connection between the coupling rod and lower transverse link is under tension.Press the lower transverse link slightly downwards when removing bolt (1) for the reason above.]
16. Remove bolt (1) and use suitable lever to press air spring strut (2) off wheel bearing housing.
17. ⚠ The connection between the air spring strut and wheel bearing housing is under tension.There is a risk of injury when pressing the air spring strut off the wheel bearing housing, as the wheel bearing housing will recoil rapidly upwards. — Let air spring strut down between brake caliper and brake line and swivel strut out upwards.
18. If a new air spring strut is being installed, insulation (1) must be transferred from old air spring strut to new strut.
19. Attach cable tie (1).
20. Use assembly aid (1) to insert air spring strut. [Note: Assembly aid (1) is supplied with new air spring struts.After completing the work, please keep the assembly aid for further assembly work, as it is not available as a replacement part.]
21. Insert air spring strut into wheel housing (at top end) and bring into position at wheel bearing housing (at bottom end).
22. Attach new bolt (1) to wheel bearing housing.
23. Tighten new nuts (1) in diagonal sequence.
24. Remove assembly aid (1).
25. Charge air spring struts of rear axle .
26. Fit and secure wheel .
27. Set down vehicle on its wheels .

🎬 Related video tutorial

Independent AUTODOC tutorial for the same job, filmed on a different model (A6 2 (C6)) — the technique carries over, the fasteners and figures on this page are the ones for your car.

How to change rear shock absorber on AUDI A6 2 (C6)

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