A Guide to Audi Suspension Parts

The suspension in your Audi car, truck or SUV is comprised of a number of sophisticated components designed to absorb the bumps as you drive your vehicle. By smoothing your ride, the system helps keep your tires on the road. This improves handling and braking so that you can maintain control of your A5, Q5, or TT . Because the suspension system is so important, it should not be overlooked when you perform routine maintenance on your vehicle. The salty moist air of coastal Florida can foster rust. As a result, it is important that you regularly clean the underside of your vehicle as well as the exterior and interior. Correct suspension system alignments are based on a specific set of formulas. Refer to your particular vehicle’s repair manual for the exact part measurements.

While your owner’s manual outlines the recommended time and mileage intervals that various suspension components should be inspected, problems that occur with the system usually exhibit warning signs. Take your vehicle for a test drive with the windows down and the radio off. Be alert for symptoms like abnormal sounds, vibrations and unusual tire wear. Another potential warning sign is that the vehicle pulls to one side. Use the following information for assistance to pinpoint and diagnose the problem so that you look you best when you drop the top and cruise Gulf Boulevard at St. Petersburg Beach. 

Bad Shock Absorbers

If your vehicle rides poorly on rough roads, it could have defective shock absorbers. You can quickly diagnose this problem. Park your vehicle on a flat, level surface. Use your weight to push down on one corner of your automobile. Release the pressure and then count the number of times that the vehicle bounces before stopping. Good shocks only allow a vehicle to bounce two or three times. If the car continues to bounce after you have replaced the shocks, the strut is worn. Check each corner of your vehicle. You can also visually inspect the shocks. If they are covered in liquid, it means that hydraulic fluid is leaking. Replace shocks if they are worn.

Spring Fatigue

Working in conjunction with the shock absorbers, springs help stabilize and support your vehicle. With the vehicle parked on a flat surface, check its curb height to see if it is lower than the specs listed in your owner’s manual. Determine whether the vehicle tilts to one side or if one corner is noticeably lower. Old springs will not support the weight of a vehicle. This issue can cause a steering problem because of the misalignment of your wheels. Bad springs may also allow your vehicle to bottom out as it crosses over large bumps. Another symptom of bad springs is excessive sway when it turns a corner. Listen for noise from the shocks or coil springs when you turn or drive over bumps. Replace the springs if necessary. If the springs appear in good working order, inspect the struts, which can cause many similar problems when defective.

Worn Ball Joints

Mounted on the front wheels, ball joints act like the ball-and-socket joint in your shoulder. Abnormal clunking or popping sounds when you turn or drive over bumps may also indicate that there are problems with this component. While these parts eventually wear out through use, they may experience premature failure if they are not lubricated regularly. In addition to inspecting the wear indicators, check the upper and lower ball joints on each of the front wheels for excessive play. Other indicators of worn ball joints include wobbly steering and shimmying. Lift the front tires off the ground with a jack. Properly support the weight of the vehicle. Grab the tire and then try to push and pull the top and bottom inward and outward. If the tire rocks back and forth, the ball joint should be replaced, especially if you hear clinking sound while moving the tire.

Bad Struts

In addition to excessive bouncing, bad struts can also cause your vehicle to lean excessively when cornering. The affected side of your car will take longer to return to its normal position, which adds an extra load to the steering system making it more difficult for you to control the vehicle. A weak or blown strut may also cause the vehicle to nosedive when braking or to squat when it accelerates because the suspension system cannot support the increased forces. As struts lose their ability to cushion your vehicle, you may hear a loud clunking sound when the chassis bottoms out and make contact with the suspension system. This can cause severe damage to your automobile.

Worn Bushings

Automotive suspension systems contain a number of bushings that can be manufactured from various materials, such as polyurethane, rubber and graphite composites. Featuring a variety of shapes, sizes and thicknesses, bushings are designed to limit contact between components and prevent premature wear. They cushion the vertical and lateral forces that occur when you travel over an uneven road surface. When you inspect your suspension system, you need to check for the presence and condition of the bushings. Replace any that are worn, cracked or missing. 

Computerized Suspensions

Also known as computerized ride control, an active suspension system uses computer inputs to adjust ride height and stiffness as well as handling characteristics. Use a diagnostic tool to scan for applicable codes and troubleshoot the system. Repair codes can indicate faulty relays, sensors, solenoids or actuator motors. 

Why Use Genuine Toyota Parts

Worn suspension parts negatively affect the stability and performance of your car, truck or SUV. When it comes time to make repairs on your vehicle, you should only use name brand Audi replacement parts. Made from high-quality materials, Toyota OEM parts are manufactured to the same stringent requirements as components installed at the factory. This ensures that OEM Audi parts will fit and function correctly without the requirement to use additional parts or make special modifications. In addition to saving time and money, opting for name brand parts eliminates the guesswork that is often required when evaluating aftermarket parts.

At oemvehicleparts.com, we stock a wide range of Audi suspension parts. We will ship them right to your door. Along with selecting the correct year, make and model from the drop-down, you can locate the components that you need in our extensive catalog by VIN, keyword or part number. Our professional parts specialists are also on hand to answer any questions that you may have.