Shock Absorbers, Checking On Shock Tester
Special tools and workshop equipment required
- Sachs Shock Tester VAG1975 or
- Maha Shock Absorber Tester VAS1990 or
- Boge Shock Tester
Shock absorbers can be checked while installed using the shock tester (shock absorber testing device). The damping effect can be evaluated based on the dial reading or print-out.
Temperature +10° - 40 °C (50° - 104 °F)
Driver in vehicle.
Tire pressure OK
Drive vehicle straight onto center of wheel contact plates.
Front wheels in straight position.
Parking not engaged, foot brake not activated.
Threshold
Shock absorber condition can only be judged as follows:
- Sufficient damping effect
or
- Insufficient damping effect
Intermediate values for reduced damping performance cannot be read out.
A prognosis on service life is not permitted.
Measured values that occur with the involvement of the suspension travel end stops are incorrect.
The following values apply only to the test stands named above. If the values specified are exceeded, the shock absorber has lost enough of its effectiveness that it should be replaced.
Example:
Threshold = 70
- -a- = greater than 70: insufficient damping effect
- -a- = less than 70: sufficient damping effect
The shock absorber combination installed in the vehicle is indicated by the corresponding PR number on the vehicle data plate.
Production Control Number (PR number) explanation. Refer to EXPLANATION OF PRODUCTION CONTROL NUMBERS (PR NUMBER) .
Threshold "a" in mm
If the readout value is greater than the limit value "a" (table value): insufficient damping effect → replace shock absorber.
If the readout value is less than the limit value "a" (table value): sufficient damping effect → shock absorber does not need to be replaced.
A4 Sedan/Avant
| Suspension type | Front Axle | Rear Axle | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1BA standard suspension front axle | 55 | / | Applies to Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| 1BA standard suspension rear axle | / | 54 | Applies to Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| 1BE sport suspension front axle | 53 | / | Applies to Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| 1BE sport suspension rear axle | / | 50 | Applies to Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| 1BD sport suspension front axle | 53 | / | Applies to All Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| 1BD sport suspension rear axle | / | 50 | Applies to All Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| 1BK chassis with electronic damping, front axle | 46 | / | Applies to Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| 1BK chassis with electronic damping, front axle, rear axle | / | 38 | Applies to Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| 1BV sport chassis front axle | 53 | / | Applies to Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| 1BV sport chassis rear axle | / | 50 | Applies to Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| 1BR/1BB heavy duty suspension front axle | 55 | / | Applies to Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| 1BR/1BB heavy duty suspension rear axle | / | 53 | Applies to Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) |
A5 Coupe/Cabriolet
| Suspension type | Front Axle | Rear Axle | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1BA standard suspension front axle | 53 | / | Applies to Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| 1BA standard suspension rear axle | / | 50 | Applies to Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| 1BE sport suspension front axle | 53 | / | Applies to Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| 1BE sport suspension rear axle | / | 50 | Applies to Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| 1BD sport suspension front axle | 53 | / | Applies to All Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| 1BD sport suspension rear axle | / | 50 | Applies to All Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| 1BK chassis with electronic damping, front axle | 46 | / | Applies to Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| 1BK chassis with electronic damping, front axle, rear axle | / | 38 | Applies to Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| 1BV sport chassis front axle | 53 | / | Applies to Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| 1BV sport chassis rear axle | / | 50 | Applies to Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| 1BR/1BB heavy duty suspension front axle | 55 | / | Applies to Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| 1BR/1BB heavy duty suspension rear axle | / | 53 | Applies to Front Wheel Drive (FWD) and All Wheel Drive (AWD) |
| Applies to All Wheel Drive (AWD) | |||
| Applies to All Wheel Drive (AWD) |