Audi Suspension Maintenance

Known for their high-end, tech-filled luxury vehicles, Audi manufactures premium cars that road users up and down the country love. In spite of this, these premium cars still require regular maintenance of their suspension systems.

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Your Audi’s suspension effectively absorbs all bumps and uneven road surfaces. Eventually, however, your Audi’s suspension components will wear down and you will have to replace them.

This blog will discuss why suspension maintenance is important, how suspensions work, how to identify suspension issues, the risks of driving with a defective suspension and how our team of skilful professionals at Quality Care Service can assist you whenever an Audi suspension issue arises with your vehicle.

Read on to learn more about your Audi suspension system.

Why It Is Important to Maintain the Audi Suspension System

You need a suspension system that can absorb road impacts for your Audi to perform well. As well as providing a comfortable ride, it also maintains handling and keeps all four wheels and tyres in contact with the road.

Keeping your Audi suspension in good shape will keep you stable when braking and turning corners so if your suspension is not properly maintained,  you may experience poor handling, low fuel economy, uneven tire wear, and poor safety.

Our Audi experts at Quality Car Service are always ready to inspect your suspension system and keep it in excellent working condition. Book an appointment today with our friendly reception team.

The Signs of a Malfunctioning Suspension System

Early detection of Audi suspension problems is essential for ensuring safety and preventing further damage.

Among the most common Audi suspension problems are:

Uneven Tyre Wear: If one tyre or set of tyres wears out faster than the others, it may indicate suspension trouble. It is often caused by a misalignment or a problem with the shock absorbers.

Rough Drive: If your Audi rides rough and vibrates a lot, it may have worn or damaged shock absorbers or struts.

Pulling To One Side: Due to alignment or suspension issues, your Audi might pull to one side when driving on a straight road.

Noticeable Bouncing: Good working suspension systems should provide controlled and minimal bounce after bumps. If your Audi bounces excessively, it may be due to worn shocks or struts.

Unusual Noises: Unusual noises might indicate worn suspension components or loose parts in rough terrain or during turns.

Steering Problems: Problems with the suspension can affect power steering. If the steering is stiff or difficult to control, it may be time to check the suspension.

Leakage of Fluid: There might be a leak in your Audi’s shocks or struts if you notice damp or oily spots under your vehicle. In addition, leaking fluid can affect performance.

Visual Damage: The suspension components of your Audi should be examined for visible damage, such as bent or broken control arms, sway bars or damaged bushings.

Height Deficiency: In case one corner of your Audi appears lower than the others, the suspension system on that side may be malfunctioning.

Warning Lights: In modern Audi models, dashboard warning lights are triggered when the suspension system is malfunctioning. If your dashboard displays any warning lights, have your vehicle inspected right away.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of Audi suspension parts. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

When you notice any of these symptoms, we recommend you call  our team of qualified experts at Quality Car Service. In order to ensure your vehicle’s safety, handling and overall performance, suspension issues should be addressed as soon as possible. 

Moreover, regular inspections and maintenance can prevent more serious problems from developing.

Here’s What You Need to Know About the Audi Suspension System

An Audi vehicle’s suspension system contributes to its performance and handling. Across their range of vehicles, Audi offers different suspension types based on the model and driving experience.

In the Audi A8, Audi has introduced a system called “Predictive Active Suspension”. As a result of this advanced system, each wheel has its own actuator that adjusts the suspension springs independently. 

Consequently, the car’s ride height can be actively managed, ensuring a comfortable ride on a variety of terrains. In addition, this system can adjust the Audi’s body height by up to 85mm every 0.5 seconds.

The Front Suspension of Audi Vehicles Comes in Several Types:

• MacPherson Strut: The MacPherson Strut can be found in models such as the Audi TT despite being less common in Audi vehicles. Because of its simple and space-efficient design, it is ideal for compact vehicles.
• Double-Wishbone: With this suspension type, models such as the Audi R8 and Audi Q7 offer precise handling and independent wheel movement. Moreover, in order to enhance comfort, the Audi Q7 is equipped with air springs.
• Multi-Link or Five-Link Suspension: Most Audi suspensions use four control arms per side. This configuration allows camber, caster, and toe to be fine-tuned, improving handling and stability, especially on larger models, such as the A6.

The Rear Suspension of Audi Vehicles Comes in Several Types:

• Double-Wishbone: A high-performance model such as the Audi R8 is equipped with this suspension type, which allows for independent wheel movement.
• Four-Link: As a result of the upper links and lower trailing arms of this set-up, axle movement and articulation are controlled on models such as the Audi TT Quattro.
• Self-Tracking Trapezoidal-Link: In addition to providing high torsional and bending stiffness, this configuration isolates vibrations from the body of the car. It’s typically found in larger models such as the Audi A6.

Audi’s Drive Select system enables drivers to customise the suspension dynamics and performance of their vehicle.

In Dynamic mode, the throttle response is sped up, gear shifts occur at higher RPMs, and steering is stiffened. For a smoother ride, Comfort mode softens the suspension and steering, while Auto mode balances comfort and performance. Individual settings are also available for personalised settings.

If you have questions about your Audi’s suspension system or are experiencing suspension issues, we can assist you. Our Audi suspension service technicians and repair specialists at Quality Car Service are experts in the field. Maintaining the performance and handling characteristics of your Audi is our speciality.

What Causes Suspension Problems?

Over time, the suspension system components in your Audi can wear out. There are a variety of parts in high-mileage vehicles that wear out and become ineffective, including wheel bearings, control arm bushes, tie rods, ball joints, and sway bar links. 

If you drive your Audi hard, such as braking sharply and accelerating quickly, the problem is exacerbated. It is also possible for Audi suspensions to break down over time due to off-roading and uneven surfaces. This is especially true if you live in an area with unpaved or pothole-filled roads.

Audi suspension systems can be serviced in a wide range of ways. In addition, your service manual may specify when suspension components should be replaced. 

When you have a suspension issue, our Audi technicians at Quality Car Service will analyse the underlying cause. Our team will also inspect related parts for damage and leave you with peace of mind.

It Is Dangerous to Drive an Audi With a Faulty Suspension System

The suspension system of your Audi is extremely important, and when it is compromised, driving it becomes extremely dangerous. These faulty components within the system may cause you to experience the following:

Damaged Struts: Struts that are damaged make driving dangerous. In addition to absorbing road bumps, struts contribute to steering and protecting other suspension parts. Breaking a strut can cause discomfort, hamper handling, or even structural damage.

Damaged Springs: In the event that your springs are damaged, you should not drive. As a result of sagging or noisy springs, the vehicle will ride rough and lack control, especially during emergency situations.

Damaged Control Arms: Driving with damaged control arms requires extra caution. Consequently, suspension articulation and alignment issues may result in handling issues and accelerated tyre wear.

Damaged Shock Absorbers: When your shock absorber is broken, you can still drive, but it will be uncomfortable and affect your control, especially at high speeds.

At Quality Car Service, we are a certified Audi garage that can maintain, service, repair and  replace Audi suspension systems. Get in touch with us today if you need a safe and reliable fix.

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What are your thoughts on or experience with the available brand's price vs. quality? Know of any other options that I should check out?

I will be replacing the front suspension components (control arms and tie rod ends) on a Passat TDI. I'm kind leaning towards the Meyle, so far.

Here is what I have found for complete kits:

Delphi @ $200
MevoTech Supreme @ $400
Meyle HD @ $600
Lemforder @ $900 From every Meyle part I've seen, they seem to be....less than stellar. Example: Some Audi TT-style solid lower control arm bushings with the Meyle name on them on a car that came to me - looked fairly new, apart from the fact that the centre portion of the bushing had totally ripped away from the rubber already; on the flip side, I've had many Lemforder same style bushings and never saw anything remotely close to that.

My impression is that they are trying to gain brand traction by mimicking Mahle's name and producing a grossly inferior product.
See also SKP vs. SKF bearings.

Where's Koni and Bilstein in your list?

What are your thoughts on or experience with the available brand's price vs. quality? Know of any other options that I should check out?

I will be replacing the front suspension components on a Passat TDI. I'm kind leaning towards the Meyle, so far.

Here is what I have found for complete kits:

Delphi @ $200
MevoTech Supreme @ $400
Meyle HD @ $600
Lemforder @ $900

if you’re talking about the eight control arms, FCPEuro has (had?) a full kit, including hardware, for a reasonable price. I installed it on my old B5 A4 years ago, worked great for many miles. I sold the car to my son, who pot a bunch more miles on it. After about 80k miles all told, he did have to replace one or two of the lower arms because of a torn bj boot. Rest are still fine. There wasn’t any real brand that I remember. Meyle is sometimes the only option for old VWs and they have been hit or miss over the years. it seems they have improved their rubber (which was their problem) some years back. i haven't seen a full on failure like nuje is describing in some time.

lemforder is the OEM supplier to VW.

i would recommend against bilstien shocks & struts.

i would recommend against bilstien shocks & struts.

I'm curious why? I've been happy with the bilstein shocks and struts I've purchased over the years. Perhaps a monotube isn't for everyone but I'm intrigued by the blanket statement. I've been happy with the kyb stuff as well, at less cost, for what it's worth. But given the choice with no cost difference I'd go bilstein. I have Bilstein struts, touring I believe, on both Jettas. There's 1" spacers in Donna's, 2" in mine. Both cars have Moog rear wagon springs and Whiteline bushings front and rear. I prefer the ride and handling on mine despite being 1" higher, only difference is stock TDI Auto springs in the front of mine and an aftermarket "VR6" spring from a previous strut change on hers.
The stock springs make a noticeable difference, far superior to the spring from the previous loaded strut. so don't discount springs when making your choice. I wish I would have grabbed another set of TDI Autos when the boneyard was littered with them. Since it seems nobody here realized what car the OP is talking about, a B5 Passat, which is 100% completely different than ANY of the Ax cars, I'll chime in.

I'd only use Lemforder or TRW parts. You may not even need a whole kit. The upper links' inner bushes are often the first to go, the lowers may all be perfectly fine. You can also R&R the strut assembly withOUT messing with the suspension at all. It is easier to do this with the CV axles removed, which is also super easy.

Sachs is OEM struts, but the Bilsteins will fit and work perfectly too. I have the yellow HDs on my TDI sedan, and had them on my 4Mo wagon I just sold. They work great, and last indefinitely. But they are for sure stiffer.

Since it seems nobody here realized what car the OP is talking about, a B5 Passat, which is 100% completely different than ANY of the Ax cars, I'll chime in.

I'd only use Lemforder or TRW parts. You may not even need a whole kit. The upper links' inner bushes are often the first to go, the lowers may all be perfectly fine.

So, you wouldn't be worried about replacing everything, having 1 or 2 new components mixed with the old ones? I'm taking it to a specialty shop for a second opinion, since the tire shop said it was the right rearward lower joint that was bad. I realize that the car is 20 years old now, but it only has 73k miles on it so far and no accidents or anything. Would you normally expect the components to start going bad just due to age? Thank you to everyone for your input. I came across another brand on idparts if anyone has experience with it. Spidan-GKN seems to be manufactured in Europe, but only $400 for the kit makes me a little wary.

Front Control Arm Kit (B5.5)

Full front control arm link kit for the B5.5 Passat TDI. The kit includes the following: Two lower control arms Two wishbone lower links Two front upper links Two rear upper links Two tie rod ends ... My Passat has 265k miles, and other than the Billy HD struts I upgraded to at 80k miles, the rest of the front end components are original and are in perfect working order. I service the car every 10k miles, and check it all thoroughly every time. Although part of the reason I think the bushings have lasted this long is BECAUSE I ditched the squishy OEM Sachs struts when the car was still fairly new.

But obviously if you have a bad joint, then it may be in your best interest to do both on that quadrant for ease.

Thank you to everyone for your input. I came across another brand on idparts if anyone has experience with it. Spidan-GKN seems to be manufactured in Europe, but $400 for the kit makes me a little wary.

Front Control Arm Kit (B5.5)

Full front control arm link kit for the B5.5 Passat TDI. The kit includes the following: Two lower control arms Two wishbone lower links Two front upper links Two rear upper links Two tie rod ends ...

Personally, I would buy that kit and install the whole thing myself. But if you’re paying a shop to do it, just replace the bad arm. Oh, and if you’re thinking of DIYing it, do yourself a favor and first loosen the nut from the upper pinch bolt and try to turn it. If it spins, you should be fine. If not, I’d pay a shop just to pull & reinstall them with anti seize beforehand. We have recently replaced the control arm links on two B5.5 TDI Passats (04 and 05) with this kit:


They are OK so far. I think the bushing material may be stiffer than OEM, it seems I feel minor road bumps more. But Aaron at Cascade German says they've sold many of these kits and they haven't had issues with them.

I would have loved to install Lemforder for OEM level arms. I have no doubt @oilhammer is giving the best advice. But if budget constraints dictate otherwise, this is another option.

GM

There is an SST for those upper links, FWIW.

And if the removal SST doesn't do the trick, there is another SST to remove broken fasteners, although I've never needed that one.

And of course the raised toe alignment fixture to properly align them afterwards.

My neighbor tried drilling out a seized pinch bolt on his B5. Took a loooong time, and when he was almost done drilling, he tried tapping out the remainder of the bolt. And promptly broke the outer ear of the spindle off, the part after the factory slot. So all for naught.

I've seen the sst and it's basically a screw-driven press. I think a 20 yo salt-belt car would laugh at it. Torch and an air hammer is the usual method. Never seen the one for broken fasteners.