A6 FWD Front shock/strut cartridge - big problems
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
A6 FWD Front shock/strut cartridge - big problems
Not sure why I am the first person to have taken days to do a job every else seems to do before lunch, but I now have a disabled car, so any help would be urgently appreciated. I have completed the rears, and this is the first front.
I have used Bentley together with the many archived posts and have finally, after 2 hours and with the of a MAPP torch, a chisel and 5 lb hammer, followed by an 18" pipe wrench with 2ft of pipe extension, got the lower 'nut' off. Removing the three upper flange nuts released the shock cartridge which, as expected, slammed against the tower. However, after two more hours, I still cannot lift the shock out. Perhaps this is because I also cannot remove the sideways pressure from the cartridge, and I have tried all positions of the steering wheel together with various jacking height positions. In a word: HELP!
I have used Bentley together with the many archived posts and have finally, after 2 hours and with the of a MAPP torch, a chisel and 5 lb hammer, followed by an 18" pipe wrench with 2ft of pipe extension, got the lower 'nut' off. Removing the three upper flange nuts released the shock cartridge which, as expected, slammed against the tower. However, after two more hours, I still cannot lift the shock out. Perhaps this is because I also cannot remove the sideways pressure from the cartridge, and I have tried all positions of the steering wheel together with various jacking height positions. In a word: HELP!
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,139
Likes: 0
From: N.E. Ohio
Re: A6 FWD Front shock/strut cartridge - big problems
not sure if it will help but seems like when i did mine, i had to let the car back down after I removed the big nut, then I removed the top, it should slip right out with no effort?? I assume the assembly has moved and is now tight against the shock tower, if thats the case, you may need to reassemble it if you can, and drop the car down and start over, you will not want to pry it out and have the case move even more, you must get it back in position and lower the car down so it stays in place..... Good Luck
You may be able to use your jack depending on which way it is cramped and put your jack in the fender well to crank it back to positon it, or get a spring compressor from autozone
You may be able to use your jack depending on which way it is cramped and put your jack in the fender well to crank it back to positon it, or get a spring compressor from autozone
Thread Starter
New Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 219
Likes: 0
Re: A6 FWD Front shock/strut cartridge - big problems
I discovered that my Craftsman spring compressors are almost useless for the Audi front springs. The threaded rods are too close to the spring and the rest of the rod doesn't clear the spring mounting flange. Also, the S/compressor need to be for a shorter range, because there is nowhere to hide the unused portion of acme threaded rod, which hits just about everything, and you can't reach the bolt heads to turn the rods. Anyway, by using the car's weight to compress and then hand tightening the s/compressor, and then jacking up again, I was able to take enough pressure off the shock to move it further toward the center.
I still cannot extract the shock body. I have hammered what little I can see of it with a chisel, and applied WD40, but so far, its like its welded in place! Still marooned!
I still cannot extract the shock body. I have hammered what little I can see of it with a chisel, and applied WD40, but so far, its like its welded in place! Still marooned!
New Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Re: A6 FWD Front shock/strut cartridge - big problems
I used the correct tool on mine and was done with each side in about 45 minutes. Sounds like there in a lot of crap in your strut housing that is causing it to stick.
This is a bit off the wall, but how about attaching a slide hammer to the top of the strut and slamming it upwards to see if it can be shocked free. If this isn't it, then it's blue wrench (torch) time.
If it is really messed up, maybe get a used housing and swap
This is a bit off the wall, but how about attaching a slide hammer to the top of the strut and slamming it upwards to see if it can be shocked free. If this isn't it, then it's blue wrench (torch) time.
If it is really messed up, maybe get a used housing and swap
New Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Re: what tool was that? the spring compressor?
Nope. There is no need (usually) for a spring compressor to do the front strut cartridges. The procedure is simple, jack up the car, outline the positioning of the top plate against the sheet metal (I used a grease pencil), remove the top plate. Then slide the strut tool over the strut shaft (this is the correct tool that I referred to) This tool is about 15" long, the bottom is octagonally shaped and fits into the large retainer nut that keeps the cartridge in the strut housing. The other end is just a 1/2" socket receiver. Put on a breaker bar, right tightie, left loosey and Bob's your uncle. I am a decent shadetree mechanic and it took me about 45 minutes a side.
The issue in this gas is that it seems the strut cartridge is REALLY stuck in that housing
Hey Limey, how is the progress on this? Any chance the strut housing got 'dinged' and is pinching the cartridge in place?
The issue in this gas is that it seems the strut cartridge is REALLY stuck in that housing
Hey Limey, how is the progress on this? Any chance the strut housing got 'dinged' and is pinching the cartridge in place?
Trending Topics
New Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
Re: I am not familiar with that tool, where did you get it?
Hey.. that's my car in your pic!
I am fortunate enough to have a Audi parts guy near me from rent me his when I bought the struts from him
Try the local stealership, maybe they will rent out tools?
I am fortunate enough to have a Audi parts guy near me from rent me his when I bought the struts from him
Try the local stealership, maybe they will rent out tools?
AudiWorld Stories
Bringing Audi to Life for Audi Fans
Top 10 Most Expensive Audis Ever Sold on Bring-A-Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Audi Features & Options We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Audi Recreates Crazy-Looking Speed Record Breaker From 1935
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilder Recreates the 1995 Audi TTS Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Every Audi V10 Car Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
9 Audi Designs That Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
2026 Audi Q5 Buyer's Guide (Every Model Explained)
Brett Foote
Ranking Every Current Audi 'S' Model From Worst to First!
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Audis That are FINALLY LEGAL to Import to the U.S.!
Joe Kucinski
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 0
Limey: Bolt the strut bearings back to the strut cartridge
What I did was this:
The car is on a chassis lift, with a jack stand under the steering knuckle.
Raise the body of the car so that the spring is near max extension.
Undo the nut that you got off of the strut body.
Shoot the shock body full of WD40 (just in case)
Lower the car some until the strut rod pokes well above the shock tower.
Re-attach the strut bearing to the top of the strut rod with the 22mm nut.
Raise the car on the lift, leaving the spring to push the cartridge out of the strut.
You basically use the power of the spring to top out the cartridge (maximum extension) and jerk it out of the strut body. Once it is free, lower the car on the lift a bit and then remove the strut and strut bearing from the top of the car.
Good luck, buddy!
The car is on a chassis lift, with a jack stand under the steering knuckle.
Raise the body of the car so that the spring is near max extension.
Undo the nut that you got off of the strut body.
Shoot the shock body full of WD40 (just in case)
Lower the car some until the strut rod pokes well above the shock tower.
Re-attach the strut bearing to the top of the strut rod with the 22mm nut.
Raise the car on the lift, leaving the spring to push the cartridge out of the strut.
You basically use the power of the spring to top out the cartridge (maximum extension) and jerk it out of the strut body. Once it is free, lower the car on the lift a bit and then remove the strut and strut bearing from the top of the car.
Good luck, buddy!
AudiWorld Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 0
Limey: Bolt the strut bearings back to the strut cartridge
What I did was this:
The car is on a chassis lift, with a jack stand under the steering knuckle.
Raise the body of the car so that the spring is near max extension.
Undo the nut that you got off of the strut body.
Shoot the shock body full of WD40 (just in case)
Lower the car some until the strut rod pokes well above the shock tower.
Re-attach the strut bearing to the top of the strut rod with the 22mm nut.
Raise the car on the lift, leaving the spring to push the cartridge out of the strut.
You basically use the power of the spring to top out the cartridge (maximum extension) and jerk it out of the strut body. Once it is free, lower the car on the lift a bit and then remove the strut and strut bearing from the top of the car.
Good luck, buddy!<ul><li><a href="http://www.hembrook.com/automotive/audi/100/suspension/index.html">Have a look at my procedure</a></li></ul>
The car is on a chassis lift, with a jack stand under the steering knuckle.
Raise the body of the car so that the spring is near max extension.
Undo the nut that you got off of the strut body.
Shoot the shock body full of WD40 (just in case)
Lower the car some until the strut rod pokes well above the shock tower.
Re-attach the strut bearing to the top of the strut rod with the 22mm nut.
Raise the car on the lift, leaving the spring to push the cartridge out of the strut.
You basically use the power of the spring to top out the cartridge (maximum extension) and jerk it out of the strut body. Once it is free, lower the car on the lift a bit and then remove the strut and strut bearing from the top of the car.
Good luck, buddy!<ul><li><a href="http://www.hembrook.com/automotive/audi/100/suspension/index.html">Have a look at my procedure</a></li></ul>
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
in2audi
Audi 100 / A6 (C4 Platform)
1
Mar 16, 2004 03:18 PM
