Shock Absorbers, Checking On Shock Tester

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 13 other vehicles, including the 2017 Audi SQ5, 2017 Audi Q5, 2016 Audi SQ5, 2016 Audi Q5, and 2015 Audi SQ5. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools and workshop equipment required

Boge Shock Tester or
Sachs Shock Tester VAG1975 or
Suspension Tester VAS1990S or
Suspension Strut Test Bed VAS6636 or
Suspension Strut Test Bed VAS6640

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 printout.

NOTE:

Temperature 10 to 40 °C (50 to 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

Insufficient damping effect

NOTE:

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 specified values are exceeded, the shock absorber action has weakened enough that a replacement is recommended.

Example:

Fig 1: Damping Effect Measurement

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

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.

PR number explanation, refer to PRODUCTION CONTROL NUMBER (PR NUMBER) EXPLANATIONS .

Threshold "a" in mm

NOTE:

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.

Vehicle type	Front Axle	Rear Axle	Comment
1BA standard suspension front axle	53	/	Applies to FWD and AWD
1BA standard suspension rear axle	/	50	Applies to FWD and AWD
1BV sport chassis front axle	42	/	Applies to FWD and AWD
1BV sport chassis rear axle	/	41	Applies to FWD and AWD
1BK chassis with electronic damping, front axle	46	/	Applies to FWD and AWD
1BK chassis with electronic damping, front axle, rear axle	/	38	Applies to FWD and AWD