A4 B5 Avant rear shock absorber removal

[amatty]

My shock absorbers need replacing. I understand the mechanics of this operation and have the tools/clamps etc, but how do I remove the trim at the rear to get at the top bolts please.

Matty

[spartacus 68]

My shock absorbers need replacing. I understand the mechanics of this operation and have the tools/clamps etc, but how do I remove the trim at the rear to get at the top bolts please.

Matty

Read this: B6/B7 A4: Suspension Removal and Install

Its for B6, but B5 exactly the same.

[amatty]

Have replies from other sources now thanks but they are for b6 or B7 cars which are completely different from my 1.8 A4 B5 avant.

All I want to know please is how to remove the trim inside the vehicle so that I can get at the top shock absorber mountings from inside the rear.

Matty

[Crasher]

We have a 1998 A4 Avant we use as a courtesy car and we had to do rear dampers a few months back. Whenever we have to do rear dampers on an 8D estate, I cringe because getting those trims out is awful, they are held by inaccessible spring loaded clamps that need the opposing forces of two elephants to pull apart and when they do, the clamp and a section of the trim stay in the slot and the trim is left with a jagged hole in it....

[zollaf]

i remember doing a passat, about 95 vintage a while back. 10 mins to do both shocks, 3 hours to remove and replace the trim to get to the top bolts. seriously, a proper ball ache of a job.

[Crasher]

I've done a few type 35 and 3A rear dampers and it drives me mad that you can get to one bolt on each top mount but not the other so it's hours of trim hell.