mishar

I've never heard it (yet) but people say yes, you can hear it.

Pressure is not that high in struts. Just around 4 bar, depending on the load.

awdinut

would the compressor shake because it is unbalanced ? The compressor on the 06 in question shakes when it runs...if you look down in there with a light you can see it shaking or vigrating.

mishar

It is a single cylinder, it can't be balanced. But it shouldn't jump around either. I believe if it can't reach designed speed it would shake more.

Edit: Loose magnet would slow it down, but it is stator (?), it wouldn't cause unbalance.

aTOMic

My understanding is that if the magnet separates from the motor housing it grinds against the stator and creates a racket. Vibrating is probably a good indication that your ring is gone and the repair kit would not fix it at that point.
My advice is to either remove the panel to access the fuse and relay and leave it off, or familiarize yourself with accessing the power wire to the compressor, so you can stop the thing from running. This thing is a ticking (vibrating?) time bomb. There is at one case on here somewhere where the temp sensor failed and the compressor caught fire. Someone suggested using "Jack" mode to shut it off but then you can't drive more than 5-10 MPH; and I don't know if that will definitely shut it off.

Here's a thread which includes the place I got mine as well as a great link from Mishar to an SSP which details the system, very interesting reading.

Compressor Autopsy

05SilverA8

If you need a new compressor these guys are very responsive and have new ones in stock. After core refund price is $500.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/550-NEW-WABCO-Audi-A8-Air-Suspension-Compressor-4E0616005-Relay-/190729244573?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AAudi&hash=item2c68594f9d&vxp=mtr

mishar

They say NEW, but buying cores says it is rebuilt???

05SilverA8

If you want they will sell you a rebuilt one for quite a bit less. I tried this without success. Luckily I can put one of these in now in about 30 minutes.

The partially working rebuilt unit was returned without questions for a credit towards the new unit.

Mister Bally

A stockpile f core are being gathered so that WABCO Reman Solutions can start a rebuild program. Note that during this phase you could get a new one at the price of a reman unit. This is called "seeding".