Notices
 
 

  

User Tag List

Thread: Audi A6 Allroad (2006 3.0 TDI) - Rear Air Bag and Rear Control Arm Replacement Advice

Results 1 to 7 of 7
  1. Question Audi A6 Allroad (2006 3.0 TDI) - Rear Air Bag and Rear Control Arm Replacement Advice 
    #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2019
    Location
    Newcastle upon Tyne
    Posts
    6
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quoted
    0 Post(s)
    Hi All,

    I have recently purchased my first Audi - an 2006 A6 Allroad 3.0 tdi. I picked it up privately on 144k miles with one previous owner. Unfortunately it appears that it wasn't given the TLC it needed in recent years and so inevitably I'm starting to notice a range of faults and issues. I've identified 2 key priorities in terms of repairs and would welcome advice:

    1) The rear of the car (particularly let side), sinks when left standing overnight. This happens when it is set to a 'lower' level (e.g. dynamic) but not when in Allroad or Lift mode. From researching various posts I'm aware that this points to leaking air bags and so I therefore intend to change both. I've found Dunlop bags with 2 year warranty for approx. £300 as well as some videos online showing how to change them; A-2960 - Video Installation Guide - YouTube. Is it really that easy? I don't have a lift but do have jacks and axle stands. Has anyone done this themselves on their drive without specialist equipment and/or does a DIY guide exist anywhere?


    Specifically, based on research to date I plan to leave the front wheels on the ground and jack up the rears (with battery disconnected) and put on axle stands. I will then swap out the rear bags which looks fairly easy before putting the wheels back on. I then plan to 'semi-support' the vehicle with 2 trolley Jacks lowering it to the height it was at before I swapped out the bags (I'll measure from the ground to the top of each wheel arch before I start). I'm assuming I can then reconnect the battery and allow the car to reinflate the bags knowing that they won't be required to support the whole weight of the car from empty?


    2) I have a noticeable creek from the rear of the car. My local garage have diagniosed this as the bushes on the lower rear control arms and have suggested replacing both arms in their entirety. They're awaiting a price on the parts from Audi but I'm guessing this won't be cheap. To avoid confusion the the part I'm referring to is the same as this one listed on eBay; Audi A6 Avant C6 control arm rear right WITH AIR DAMPER 4F0505312L | eBay. Specifically:

    a) does anyone know of a supplier who offer these parts at a reasonable cost?
    b) You can get replacement bushes from Strongflex. Any good? DIY job to change bushes (I can get a 12 tonnes hydraulic press)?
    c) Could a competent DIYer change both arms using standard tools on a driveway?
    d) Do I need to replace any bolts with new when doing this as I know VW/AUDI frequently use stretch bolts for a lot of applications?

    Thanks in advance for any help on this.

    Alex


     
    0 0 0
     

  2. Re: Audi A6 Allroad (2006 3.0 TDI) - Rear Air Bag and Rear Control Arm Replacement Advice 
    #2
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Darlington
    Posts
    1,364
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    3 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quoted
    78 Post(s)
    Audi are the only maker of that lower arm, and you are looking at around £500 from Audi for a new one! As it's the alloy version you should be able to buy the bushes and have them pressed in (Cost about £10 each for the lemforder bushes) if it was the pressed steel version for the standard suspension you would be stuffed and have to buy the arm.!

    I would as a minimum replace the nuts, but some of the bolts will be well rusted and for me it's best just to replace the lot. Also some of the bolts are camber bolts so you will need the alignment done. I replaced the suspension on my old A6 C6 on my drive but did it during the summer months, would not like to be tackling this job in the current temperatures/weather. Also touching the rear end is like opening Pandora box, it won't just be the one arm that is knackered the hole lot will be shot, however replacing the inner bush on the upper arm is a massive job with the rear subframe, differential and fuel tank that needs to be lowered so you can get the bolt out as fowls against the fuel tank. That was the only bush I left alone, as dropping the rear subframe, differential & fuel tank was not an option on the drive.

    Personally in this weather I would chuck it at a specialist, but good luck if you get the spanners out yourself.
     
    0 0 0
     

  3. Re: Audi A6 Allroad (2006 3.0 TDI) - Rear Air Bag and Rear Control Arm Replacement Advice 
    #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2019
    Location
    Newcastle upon Tyne
    Posts
    6
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quoted
    0 Post(s)
    Thanks B5NUT for your reply. It's good to know that this can potentially be tackled on a DIY basis. Have you come across the strongflex bushes? Also, did you have to drop the air bags out when you did your lower control arms? I really need to put new bags in anyway but can I replace the lower arms without taking the air bags out if I wanted to?
     
    0 0 0
     

  4. Re: Audi A6 Allroad (2006 3.0 TDI) - Rear Air Bag and Rear Control Arm Replacement Advice 
    #4
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Darlington
    Posts
    1,364
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    3 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quoted
    78 Post(s)
    I've seen powerflex but never used them, you would need to contact them and see if they make them for that lower arm. I had a A6 Avant 3.0 quattro with standard suspension, so not 100% sure on the air bags.
     
    0 0 0
     

  5. Re: Audi A6 Allroad (2006 3.0 TDI) - Rear Air Bag and Rear Control Arm Replacement Advice 
    #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2019
    Location
    Newcastle upon Tyne
    Posts
    6
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quoted
    0 Post(s)
    Ok no problem I understand and thanks again for your response.
    Last edited by JACQuattro7; 15-12-2019 at 12:45 AM. Reason: Typo
     
    0 0 0
     

  6. Re: Audi A6 Allroad (2006 3.0 TDI) - Rear Air Bag and Rear Control Arm Replacement Advice 
    #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2019
    Location
    Newcastle upon Tyne
    Posts
    6
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    0 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quoted
    0 Post(s)
    Ok quick update. Think I've managed to get 2 used rear lower control arms in decent condition from eBay. Hopefully I've got the correct parts (4F0 505 312 L - RIGHT and 4F0 505 312 L - LEFT). As a precaution I want to get a set of decent bushes so I can replace if necessary. I'm having trouble locating OEM bushes. Does anyone know the part numbers or a good site to purchase from?
     
    0 0 0
     

  7. Re: Audi A6 Allroad (2006 3.0 TDI) - Rear Air Bag and Rear Control Arm Replacement Advice 
    #7
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Darlington
    Posts
    1,364
    Post Thanks / Like
    Mentioned
    3 Post(s)
    Tagged
    0 Thread(s)
    Quoted
    78 Post(s)
    Try the lemforder online catalog https://webcat.zf.com/?SPR=4
     
    0 0 0
     

Similar Threads

  1. Please Help Audi A4 Avant 2006 2.5 V6 TDI Repeated rear crankshaft oil seal leak advice please.
    By Hatton VR6 in forum Audi A4 - B7 Forum - 2005 - 2008
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 29-01-2018, 09:41 PM
  2. A6 Allroad 2006 rear suspension dropping
    By mhobson in forum Audi A6 - C6 Forum - 2005 - 2010
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 03-11-2016, 10:01 PM
  3. 2006 Allroad Left Rear Rattle
    By motionpotion in forum Audi A6 - C6 Forum - 2005 - 2010
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 05-05-2014, 11:02 AM
  4. Please Help Audi A3 2.0T S-Line Special Edition 2006 (56) Rear Disc's Replacement!
    By Litters in forum Audi A3 - 8P - 2004 - 2012
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 15-05-2012, 09:46 PM
  5. Allroad rear damper (C6 2006)
    By TheMatador in forum Audi A6 - C6 Forum - 2005 - 2010
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 15-06-2010, 02:55 PM
Tags for this Thread

View Tag Cloud

Bookmarks
Bookmarks
Posting Permissions
  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  


 



  


Disclaimer: VW Audi Forum is an "independant enthusiast website", administered in line with guidelines supplied by VAG in the UK, and is in no way related to any of the Worldwide Volkswagen,Audi,Seat,Skoda,Bentley,Bugatti,Porsche or Lamborghini group of Companies. For official up to date information on any of there vehicles, please visit the official websites. Any comments made throughout this website, are the views of the respective poster, and in no way represent the views of the VW Audi Forum Administration, or the worldwide Volkswagen & Audi Group of companies.


VW Audi Forum do not vet and are not responsible for any information which is posted in this forum. All content is viewed and used by you at your own risk and we do not warrant the accuracy or reliability of any of the information.


Copyright: Certain "words", "phrases" and "Images" used on this website by the Administration are "Copyright" of Volkswagen GB, Volkswagen AG (Germany), Audi GB, Audi AG (Germany), Volkswagen Motorsport GB, Volkswagen Motorsport AG (Germany), Audi Motorsport AG (Germany), Volkswagen Racing GB, Bentley, Bugatti, Porsche and Lamborghini. No image can be replicated by anyone WITHOUT the relevant Companies written permission.


All trademarks and copyrights remain property of their respective owners.

No part of the VW Audi Forum website or forum may be reproduced without written permission from the site administration


PLEASE NOTE - PERSONAL ABUSE, ABUSE AGAINST THIS OR ANY OTHER WEBSITE OR ANY COMPANY WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. OFFENDERS WILL BE MODERATED OR EVEN BANNED.


This website and forum are best viewed at a minimum resolution of 1024 by 768.



  



- VW AUDI Forum - The #1 Volkswagen (VW) Group Forum - Volkswagen (VW) - Audi - Seat - Skoda - Bentley - Bugatti - Lamborghini - Porsche - Scania - MAN - Ducatti - VW Audi Forum -


- www.vwaudiforum.co.uk - www.vwaudiforum.co.uk -