Servicing suspension strut (air spring strut): Audi A6/A7 C7

🧭 Before you start

Fits: Audi A6/A7 C7 (4G, 2011–2018)

• Special tools named: torque wrench
• Renewed: air spring strut

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• Wheel bearing housing must be supported to avoid damaging joints of upper links.
• Mark installation position of fastening lug (1) and retainers (2) and (3) using a felt-tip pen or similar.
• Before fitting the dust boot, check the surface of the piston for U-bellows and the rubber boot for damage and dirt, and rectify if necessary.
• Check rubber boot (1) for damage. Surface must be regular and even.
• Install hose clip (1), but do not tighten.

📋 Procedure

1. Tie up wheel bearing housing with tensioning strap T10038(1), as shown in illustration. [Note: Wheel bearing housing must be supported to avoid damaging joints of upper links.]
2. Remove shock absorber fork (see the separate procedure).
3. Unclip wiring and pipe from retainer (arrow) and move clear.
4. Remove bolt (arrow) and detach bracket (1) for brake line and electrical wiring from wheel bearing housing.
5. Mark installation position of fastening lug (1) and retainers (2) and (3) using a felt-tip pen or similar.

6. Detach hose clip (1).
7. Carefully pull dust boot (4) downwards off collar on suspension strut housing (at top end) and collar of piston for U-bellows (at bottom end) and remove boot from air spring strut. [Note: Before fitting the dust boot, check the surface of the piston for U-bellows and the rubber boot for damage and dirt, and rectify if necessary.]
8. Check rubber boot (1) for damage. Surface must be regular and even.
9. Replace air spring strut if damaged.
10. Check piston for U-bellows (2) for damage and dirt; re-work surface with fine sandpaper if necessary. Take care to avoid scoring and scratches.
11. Carefully slide new dust boot over shoulder of piston for U-bellows (at bottom end).
12. Install shock absorber fork (see the separate procedure).
13. Raise suspension to reference position (see the separate procedure).
14. Slide dust boot (4) over collar onto suspension strut housing (at top end).
15. Fit wiring retainer (front) (2) onto hose clip (1).
16. Install hose clip (1), but do not tighten.
17. With only one wiring retainer fitted, position hose clip (1) so that fastening lug (3) is aligned with marking made earlier for wiring retainer (rear).
18. Align wiring retainer (front) with marking made earlier.
19. Before tightening hose clips ensure that boot is not twisted; straighten boot if necessary.
20. Use hose clip pliers V.A.G 1682 to tighten hose clip.
21. Apply clamp tensioner V.A.G 1682 as shown. Make sure tips of tool are applied centrally (arrow A) to clip.
22. Tighten hose clip by turning spindle with torque wrench (take care to keep clamp tensioner straight).
23. Tighten loosened bolt connections.

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