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Audi Q5: How to Replace Shocks and Review

The shock absorbers are critical components to your ride and handling. When they go bad, you'll lose that luxury ride and the precise handling Audi is known for.

By Bryan Wood - April 18, 2016

This article applies to the Audi Q5 (2009-2016).

The shock absorbers in your Audi Q5 are designed for a comfortable ride, and sporty handling. As they get older, they can allow the wheels to bounce more on rough surfaces, negatively affecting handling, ride, braking, and stability. To detect a bad shock, look for an indication that oil is leaking on the shock absorber itself, or you can do the bounce test by pushing the corner of the car down and noting the compression as well as rebound. The car should bounce back from being pushed down, then settle. Read on for how to replace the front and rear shocks in the Audi Q5, plus a review of some popular brands.

Table of Contents

How to Replace Your Shocks

Audi Q5: How to Replace Front and Rear Shocks

Materials Needed

  • Socket set
  • Ratchet with extension
  • Jack and jack stands
  • Wrench
  • Tire iron
  • T20 torx screwdriver
  • Flat head screwdriver

Rear Shocks

Step 1 – Jack up car

Loosen the lug nuts on the wheel you will be replacing the shocks on, then raise your car with your jack. Secure the car with the jack stands, then remove the wheel.

Raise and secure your car.
Figure 1. Raise and secure your car.

Step 2 – Remove wheel liner

The wheel well liner covers the upper shock mounting bolts, but it is only held in place by a series of clips and torx screws. Use your flat head screwdriver to pop off the clips, and use your T20 screwdriver to remove the screws. Remove the liner from the wheel well.

  • Remove clips and screws.
    Figure 2. Remove clips and screws.
  • Remove liner.
    Figure 3. Remove liner.

Step 3 – Remove top bolts

Locate the two bolts holding the top of the shock absorber in place and remove them.

Remove top two bolts
Figure 4. Remove top two bolts.

Step 4 – Remove lower bolt

Remove the one bolt on the bottom of the shock absorber holding it in place. Pull the shock absorber out from the top first, then remove the bottom. To install the new one, transfer the upper mount to the new unit, then slide it back into position. Put the lower bolt in first, loosely, then the top, exactly the opposite of the removal. Tighten the bolt on the bottom and the two on top, then reinstall the liner.

Remove lower bolt
Figure 5. Remove lower bolt.

Front Shocks

Step 1 – Disconnect tie rod and end link

The tie rod steers the car, and the end link connects the steering knuckle/spindle to the sway bar in front. Take off the nut on the tie rod end, and use a pickle fork or ball joint separator to free it from the steering knuckle. Unbolt the end link from both the sway bar and the suspension, then remove. To avoid breaking them, unplug the ABS sensor wires so they don't get pulled out. On the driver's side, disconnect the link for the ride height sensor as well.

Red=sway bar end links, blue=tie rods
Figure 6. Sway bar end links (red) and tie rods (blue).

Step 2 – Remove the upper control arm mounts

The Q5 has two individual control arms from the upper shock mount to the steering knuckle, instead of an A-arm. Unbolt both of these, and swing them out of the way. This will allow the steering knuckle to be moved out of the way so you can more easily work with the shock extension, and mounting bolts.

Unbolt the control arms and swing out of the way
Figure 7. Unbolt the control arms and swing out of the way.

Step 3 – Remove shock extension

Follow the shock down to the pinch bolt, where the shock extension mounts, and the Y at the bottom where it mounts to the lower control arm. Unbolt that one bolt, and the pinch bolt at the top. You may need to use your floor jack to take the force off the bolts by pushing up on the bottom of the control arm. If the upper part doesn't want to come off of the shock, drive a screwdriver in the split to spread it apart more. Once the extension is free, maneuver it and take it out, leaving the shock hanging from just the upper mounting bolts.

  • Shock extension lower bolt
    Figure 8. Shock extension lower bolt.
  • Pry upper pinch bolt apart if need be
    Figure 9. Pry upper pinch bolt apart if need be.

Step 4 – Remove upper shock mount

The upper shock mount is held to the body by four bolts on each side. In order to remove them, you must first remove the plastic covers by the windshield, and on the driver's side, then the washer reservoir. Now you can reach all four bolts on both sides and remove them. Once out, it should be a simple matter to maneuver the shock and spring assembly out of the way and off of the car.

  • The red arrow points to 3 of the 4 bolts, the other being hidden in the picture
    Figure 10. The red arrow points to three of the four bolts, the other being hidden in the picture.
  • The passenger side is almost exactly the same, but the bolts are easier to get to
    Figure 11. The passenger side is almost exactly the same, but the bolts are easier to get to.

Step 5 – Remove spring from shock

Audio uses non adjustable coilover shock/spring assemblies on their cars, which means you will need a spring compressor in order to remove and transfer the spring to the new shock. Loosen the big nut at the top of the shock, then compress the spring and take the nut completely off. Transfer the spring and upper mount to the new shock unit, tighten the bolt and remove the spring compressor. Now reassembly is just the opposite of what you already did.

Use cation whenever using a spring compressor to remove coil over springs.
Figure 12. Use cation whenever using a spring compressor to remove coilover springs.

Featured Videos: Shock Replacement

  • Rear

  • Front

Shocks Review

When it comes to shocks, there are not a lot of different aftermarket brands available for the Q5. Whether you're looking for the stiffer shocks that will allow you to take the turns faster, or if you're looking to restore the smooth ride, there is always an option. This guide will shine some light on the most popular shock absorber brands for your Audi Q5, so read on to choose the best shocks for you, your need, and your budget.
Bilstein OEM Touring
Bilstein Heavy Duty (HD)
Bilstein Sport
KYB Excel-G
Price
 $90 each wheel $300 front, $150 rear $300 front, $150 rear $80 each wheel
Adjustable
 No No Yes No
Use
 Daily Driver Spirited Driving Street and Track Daily Driving
Durability
 Good Heavy Duty Excellent Good
Warranty
 Limited Lifetime Limited Lifetime Limited Lifetime Limited Lifetime
Best Quality: Bilstein HD
Best Value: KYB

Bilstein OEM Touring

Price – $90 each

Adjustable – No

Use – Daily Driver

Durability – Good

Warranty – Limited Lifetime

Bilstein has a deserved reputation for making some of the best suspension parts out there. For the Q5, they offer four different levels. Their OEM replacement shocks are from the B4 Touring line, and offer Audi factory replacement quality, or better. You'll get no less of a luxury car ride, the German car handling you expect from an Audi, and at least factory durability. Recommended if you want factory ride and handling on a budget.

Bilstein HD

Price – $300 front, $150 rear

Adjustable – No

Use – Sporty Driving

Durability – Heavy Duty

Warranty – Limited Lifetime

If you're looking for the best rated shocks, the Bilstein HD B6 series shocks will always come on top. These are heavy duty shock absorbers, and although they are more expensive than the lower level OEM model, it is money well spent. These are the most durable shocks on the market, with a sportier ride than stock, but without ruining the luxury you expect in your Q5. These shocks feature a high pressure gas construction, and have a reputation for lasting the lifetime of the vehicle. For the extra expense, you are getting not just yellow paint, but a much better damping unit. Recommended if you're looking for durable, heavy duty shocks.

Bilstein Sport

Price – $300 front, $150 rear

Adjustable – Yes

Use – Street and Track use

Durability – Excellent

Warranty – Limited Lifetime

The Bilstein Sport B8 series shock is about as sporty as you can get on the Q5 SUV, without moving to full coilover suspension. When people talk about Bilstein shocks, the Sport is what they are typically referring to, because these have been the parts to have if you are planning on driving your sporty car on a track since the 1960's. However, considering the similar price, it may be a toss up whether you should go with the Sport or HD model shocks. If you value a quiet, smooth ride over edge of the envelope handling, the HD is the way to go. But if you want that last sliver of performance and traction, you can't beat the Sport. Recommended for drivers looking for the ultimate handling, who don't mind a stiff ride.

KYB

Price – $80 each

Adjustable – No

Use – Daily Driver

Durability – Good

Warranty – Limited Lifetime

If you're looking to get as close as you can to the OEM ride, these shocks will do just that, and for less money. Make no mistake about it, the KYB are some of the most popular amongst Audi Q5 owners, they are cheap, easy to install, and boast OEM quality and durability. Although most people praised these shocks, and some went as far as to say they are better than the OEM units, others have complained about noises like squeaks when on a bumpy road. Recommended if you want OEM feel without spending too much money.

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