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Audi A6 C6: How to Replace Front and Rear Shocks

If your teeth chatter as you ride over bumps, it is possible that the shock absorbers are worn and need replacement on your vehicle.

By Piyush Kayastha - June 10, 2016
Contributors: BlauParts

This article applies to the Audi A6 C6 (2005-2011).

Shock absorbers or struts control the motion of the coil springs that suspend your car. Like most vehicles, this is a wear and tear item and they should be serviced regularly. Worn shocks will result in a bumpy or bouncy ride, and in some cases, increased suspension noise may be noticed. There are several companies who provide quality shock absorbers for your Audi A6 from Audi themselves, to aftermarket suppliers like Koni. The job can be done on a weekend by yourself or with a partner, so if your shocks need to be replaced, let's get it done.

Audi A6 C6 How to Replace Front and Rear Shocks

Materials Needed

  • 18 millimeter wrench and socket
  • Socket wrench
  • Allen Key (7mm)
  • Crescent/gear wrenches
  • Jack
  • Jack stands (4)
  • Spring compressors
  • Air wrench
  • Pry bar
  • PB Blaster
  • Spring compressor
  • Vice grips

Step 1 – Raise the vehicle

Loosen the lug bolts on all four wheels.

  • Raise the vehicle with a jack.
  • Secure front of vehicle with jack stands.
  • Remove front wheels and set aside.
audi a6 c5 c6 strut shock spring remove change replace how to DIY
Figure 1. Front jack stand points on the crossmember.

Step 2 – Remove strut mounting bolts

  • Use a socket wrench or impact wrench to release the lower strut mounting bolt.
  • Drive the bolt out with a hammer.
audi a6 c5 c6 strut shock spring remove change replace how to DIY
Figure 2. Lower strut bolt being removed with impact gun.

Pro Tip

You may need to pry a pry bar between axle and control arm to gain clearance. It is also wise to use a block of wood when striking the bolt to avoid damaging the threads.

After the lower strut mounting bolt is removed, you need to remove the upper strut mount bolts to be able to remove the strut assembly from car.

  • Open the hood and secure with hood prop rod.
  • Remove weatherstripping and rain tray cover.
  • Remove grommets and locate three upper strut bolts.
  • Use impact wrench or socket wrench to remove upper three bolts.
audi a6 c5 c6 strut shock spring remove change replace how to DIY
Figure 3. Top of the strut shown and location of three bolts.

Step 3 – Disassemble front struts

  • Guide the entire unit out from under the wheel well.
  • Use the spring compressor to hold assembly in place while you remove top strut nut with impact gun.
  • Separate dust boot, washer and nut from the entire assembly.
  • Remove spring and set aside.
  • Discard old strut.
audi a6 c5 c6 strut shock spring remove change replace how to DIY
Figure 4. Strut assembly with spring mounted in spring compressor.

Step 4 – Assemble and install new struts

  • Assemble your new strut with the coil spring and get the top hat in place.
  • Compress the spring sufficiently for the top hat mounting bolts to peek through.
  • Tighten the strut top bolt to 20 ft/lbs.
audi a6 c5 c6 strut shock spring remove change replace how to DIY
Figure 5. New strut being held by vice while spring is compressed as one unit.

With the strut assembly put back together, all that is required is to refit it to the car.

  • Guide entire unit as one assembly under the wheel well.
  • Line up with guide pin.
  • Reinstall top strut nuts.
  • Line up lower strut bolt hole with control arm holes.
  • Reinsert long 18mm bolt and tap into place.
  • Tighten nut with an impact gun and wrench.
audi a6 c5 c6 strut shock spring remove change replace how to DIY
Figure 6. Shows where to line up the strut under the wheel well to guide the bolts correctly.

Step 5 – Remove rear strut assembly

The rear suspension is a touch different, but the general premise is the same. This means we need to drop the strut from the car as a complete assembly to service it.

  • Remove rear wheels.
  • Secure rear with jack and jack stands.
  • Mount spring compressor assembly to the rear spring and compress, to reduce tension on the strut assembly.
  • Use a combination of sockets and extension to remove three upper strut mount bolts.
  • Use impact wrench to undo the lower strut bolt.

With the strut mounting bolts removed, you should be able to drop the whole assembly down, remove the strut top and safely release the spring from the strut assembly.

  • audi a6 c5 c6 strut shock spring remove change replace how to DIY
    Figure 7. Spring compressor affixed to the rear springs.
  • audi a6 c5 c6 strut shock spring remove change replace how to DIY
    Figure 8. Extensions shown being used to undo the three upper strut mount bolts for the rear strut.

Step 6 – Assemble and install rear struts

  • Use spring compressor and impact wrench to separate the two units.
  • Transfer the compressed spring over to the new strut, and secure it in place with the strut top mount. Tighten the strut nut until it bottoms out at 20 ft/lb of torque.
audi a6 c5 c6 strut shock spring remove change replace how to DIY
Figure 9. All parts separated from rear assembly.
  • Guide the entire unit as a whole into the wheel well.
  • Install the lower bolt first.
  • Use a pry bar to extend the control arm to give clearance to guide the top of strut in.
  • Secure the upper strut mount bolts.
audi a6 c5 c6 strut shock spring remove change replace how to DIY
Figure 10. New rear strut assembly installed, the pry bar is shown providing clearance for installation.

After this, bolt the wheels back up to the car and drop it from the jack stands. After replacing the struts, we highly recommend you take your vehicle for a fresh wheel alignment.

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