m1964

Hi everyone,
I am going to take our 2010 Q5 for the front suspension components replacement in a couple of days. Both front upper links, rearward and forward lower arms, possibly sway bar links and ball joints.
I read somewhere that the bushing bolts have to be tightened when the car is on the ground and not on the lift.
Is that true?
Are there any other Audi-specific "secrets" a mechanic should do when replacing the front suspension on this vehicle?
Thanks a lot.

PS
I am going to take it to a VW/Audi specialist so hopefully they know how to do it right, but I'd like to know too.

motoguy128

Das ist Aluminium! Don't pound on it too hard and it's probably heat treated so don't torch it.

MurrayA4

How many miles has your Q5 run ? And what are your intentions, I sound like a father, If you want longevity I'll make some recommendations.
Yes all the bushing bolts must be torqued when loaded.Multi-Post runway lift - ramps is how this accomplished as the suspension is bearing the vehicle's weight.

m1964

Hi Murray,
The vehicle has 79K miles, most of it around New York city ( not in Manhattan) but the roads here are not that good.

We considered trading it in but our daughter is applying to graduate schools so we concluded that as of today we may be better off putting new suspension and new tires for about $2000 and will try to keep it another year or even two.
If trading it in, we narrowed the replacement to be subaru Outback 3.6R
What do you think?
Thank you for replying to my post.

MurrayA4

M1964 a couple of comments.Who diagnosed your suspension replacement requirements? Sounds a little excessive, I'm in Quebec and we have perfected the art of bad roads and I have many more miles than you with zero issues.What are your symptoms ?
As for your daughter going to graduate school the Q5 is one of the longest lasting vehicles out there and it's also pretty cool so.....
The Subaru Outback 3.6 is a solid machine but it's not an Audi.My GF had one which I drove quite a bit.The engine is good but the suspension is far from evolved.The back end. even though it's independant, hops around like a live axle on bad corners.The Subby is an appliance the Audi is a machine. Your call.

m1964

Since about a year ago, the Q started making "creaking" noise when coming off a 2 inch/5cm curb of our driveway. Started from the left and then on both front wheels. Later , the noise got worse ( louder) and it started happening when hitting a small pothole while braking, and also when braking and making turns. About 8 months ago an independent Audi/VW specialist told me that bushings on rearward arms needed replacement, and recently a good independent mechanic showed me torn bushings on upper links.

That is exactly why I am taking it to the Audi specialist tomorrow morning to replace the front suspension and, as soon as it is done, I will be ordering new set of tires.
Thanks for your advice.

PS
We were in Quebec City last summer and the roads were OK.
Where we live, the city was replacing sewers so the roads around here were patched very badly. Driving over those roads would kill any suspension esp. one as complicated as Audi's.