Time to replace the shocks?

Lee Taylor

Lee Taylor

Member
Shock Pic 1.jpg
Shock Pic 2.jpg

Good morning,
I am NOT a mechanic, nor do I have any facility to work on my car. So I turn to your expertise and seek your collective advice please.
Bought this car recently.
Work abroad, so zero time or experience or toolage to do this myself.
However, I would like to look after the car and restore it to it's former glory.
A recent tyre replacement revealed the state of my rear shocks!
The ride is good however. Do you think I should replace these?
If your think 'Yes' then I will search the site for previously suggested after market suppliers and versions and get it sorted.
I'm NOT a car mechanic or DIY'er, so you advices are much appreciated.
Thanks
Lee
 

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In absence of another reply, the springs (in these photos) look fine ; for the shocks a pair of Bilstein B4s would do the job - I've put them on all three of our A2s. If those are being done you can also replace the spring seats and bump stops as part of the same job - they aren't expensive. I'm not a DIYer either, so bought the parts and our mechanic put them on.

For part numbers, see this diagram :

suspension; shock absorbers Audi A2 (A2) 2003 year Audi EUROPA 511010

suspension<br/>shock absorbers Audi A2 (A2) 2003 year Audi EUROPA 511010 spare parts
audi.7zap.com audi.7zap.com
 
Robin_Cox said:
In absence of another reply, the springs (in these photos) look fine ; for the shocks a pair of Bilstein B4s would do the job - I've put them on all three of our A2s. If those are being done you can also replace the spring seats and bump stops as part of the same job - they aren't expensive. I'm not a DIYer either, so bought the parts and our mechanic put them on.

For part numbers, see this diagram :

suspension; shock absorbers Audi A2 (A2) 2003 year Audi EUROPA 511010

suspension<br/>shock absorbers Audi A2 (A2) 2003 year Audi EUROPA 511010 spare parts
audi.7zap.com audi.7zap.com
Click to expand...
Thank you Robin, your adivice is VERY much appreciated. Thanks
 
If the car doesn't wallow low down or bounce on the springs (no damping action) and you can't see wet oil seeping out of the shocks seals then they can be fine. What you are seeing is surface rust. As long as you can see its light surface and ride seems okay then wait for mot. If the shocks fail then you're left riding around on a spring, so I think you'll hear it bobbling around at back. If you get some one to bounce the back of the car make sure it just comes back up and stops not carry on bouncing, it's okay.
 
Shocks dropping the outer dust cover is quite common on the A2. It does not affect operation or handling of the shocks BUT it can make a horrendous rattling noise. If they are making a noise they can be relocated up onto the bump stops and either tie wrapped or siliconed back in place until they are replaced as units.
 
Depends on the mileage of the car; anything approaching 80K then, (IMO) it makes good sense to change them. The performance of car shock absorbers tends (unless there is a leak when it is obvious) to deteriorate slowly over the years and miles. Most will not notice a change until new ones are installed and there is a revelation. The bottom rubber pads do take a lot of abuse and are frequently missing or damaged. I recently changed some on a project, prior to the change the ride was fine but, well, let the picture explain.
 

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Hi, this might help. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MEYLE-Sh...=p2349624.m2548.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/For-Mazd...=p2349624.m2548.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Coil-Spr...=p2349624.m2548.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0



My rear shocks were just as rusty & soon started leaking after brushing with wire brush.

I fitted the above parts from eBay last year. The most difficult part was removing the plastic wheel arch liner to get to the top mounts. Spray plenty of penertrating fluid on the the nuts & bolts.
 
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carlston said:
The Meyle 126 725 0015 rear shock absorbers that you've linked to on ebay aren't correct for the Audi A2, as non of the Audi A2 OEM part numbers are shown on the Meyle listing on autodoc.

Meyle 126 725 0015 rear shock absorbers (not for Audi A2)
Click to expand...
Your right, I’ve changed the eBay link. I’ve just looked up the correct part 126 725 0040 in the Meyle catalogue. These shocks fit all the A2’s
I have fitted 126 725 0015 & all is well so I don’t know what the difference is apart from the addition of a washer in the box?
update:- I contacted Meyle techinical & 126 725 0040 is made only to fit the A2. They did not recommend fitting 126 725 0044 even though the dimensions are similar. They did not divulge the internal damping difference.
 
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CrispyEdd said:
If the car doesn't wallow low down or bounce on the springs (no damping action) and you can't see wet oil seeping out of the shocks seals then they can be fine. What you are seeing is surface rust. As long as you can see its light surface and ride seems okay then wait for mot. If the shocks fail then you're left riding around on a spring, so I think you'll hear it bobbling around at back. If you get some one to bounce the back of the car make sure it just comes back up and stops not carry on bouncing, it's okay.
Click to expand...
Excellent - thank you very much
 
audifan said:
Shocks dropping the outer dust cover is quite common on the A2. It does not affect operation or handling of the shocks BUT it can make a horrendous rattling noise. If they are making a noise they can be relocated up onto the bump stops and either tie wrapped or siliconed back in place until they are replaced as units.
Click to expand...
That's great feedback - thank you very much
 
audiquattro59 said:
Hi, this might help. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MEYLE-Sh...=p2349624.m2548.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/For-Mazd...=p2349624.m2548.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Coil-Spr...=p2349624.m2548.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0



My rear shocks were just as rusty & soon started leaking after brushing with wire brush.

I fitted the above parts from eBay last year. The most difficult part was removing the plastic wheel arch liner to get to the top mounts. Spray plenty of penertrating fluid on the the nuts & bolts.
Click to expand...
Awesome advice - thank very much
 
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