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D3 - Axles, Brakes, Suspension and Steering Brakes, Springs, shocks, steering racks, steering columns, suspension arms, wheel hubs etc.

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  #1  
Old 17th December 2020, 04:01 PM
NightOwl NightOwl is offline
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Default Front strut leak, repairable or...?

Lately I've noticed the front left of the car is getting lower within a few hours. After locating the leak, I was wondering if its repairable or do I need to get a new strut? I think I've seen somewhere that there is available some kind of repair kit? The car has Sport Suspension.

The leak is where I've indicated bubbles on the picture below. May think it could be the air bag internally?

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A8 W12/S8 Brakes front and rear (385mm/335mm)
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Old 17th December 2020, 04:56 PM
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homer simpson homer simpson is offline
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Quite possibly the bag itself. I have seen a video where it was replaced although it will have to be a 3rd party part as Audi only sell a complete strut at £1000+

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zfhuv5gpWIw&t=274s
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Last edited by homer simpson; 17th December 2020 at 04:58 PM.
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Old 17th December 2020, 08:12 PM
NightOwl NightOwl is offline
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Thanks for the feedback, is there any 3. party suppliers making repair kits for the struts?
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2006 Audi A8 3.0 TDI Quattro Sport
A8 W12/S8 Brakes front and rear (385mm/335mm)
Focal and JBL speakers, Helix amps
S8 anti-roll bars front and rear
Complete rear LED taillight
Xenon fog lights
All interior LED
S8 rims 9x20"
Stage II tune
S8 Grill
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Old 18th December 2020, 01:34 PM
irelandbuyer irelandbuyer is offline
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Nightowl, i've just been through this process.

My suspension was dropping overnight and the compressor was working hard to get it up to level when driving. We diagnosed leaking struts on both front sides. I'd looked at various options including Aerosus and also replacing the bags. TBH, the latter felt like a cheap out, short term option so I went with RMT based out of Florida.

https://rebuildmastertech.com/audi/a...rt-suspension/

They offered me two rebuilt cores for a total of USD$589. The deal is that you pay a deposit of USD$300 for cores and they refund this to you when you return yours back to them. Obviously you can decide not to return them and your other option is to remove yours and send to them.

It took them a day to source the cores and from placing the order to receiving a shipping advice note it took 5 days.

They're currently being fitted as I write. I'll let you know here if there's anything untoward but overall my experience with RMT was excellent.....

I've also taken the opportunity to replace all of the suspension arms with TRW parts so looking forward to seeing how it ends up ride wise.
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Old 18th December 2020, 03:17 PM
NightOwl NightOwl is offline
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As I'm replacing only on one side, I'm a bit reluctant to get a new shock as they normally should be replaced in pairs. Don't knowing the mileage, I think it could be better to get the air bag only this time. I've seen a couple, although it could be the same producer, on eBay from China.

Here and here.
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2006 Audi A8 3.0 TDI Quattro Sport
A8 W12/S8 Brakes front and rear (385mm/335mm)
Focal and JBL speakers, Helix amps
S8 anti-roll bars front and rear
Complete rear LED taillight
Xenon fog lights
All interior LED
S8 rims 9x20"
Stage II tune
S8 Grill
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Old 18th December 2020, 03:34 PM
irelandbuyer irelandbuyer is offline
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No worries....
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Old 9th January 2021, 07:25 PM
NightOwl NightOwl is offline
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The replacement air bag came about a week ago and I've only got time to do the job today. Nothing difficult, just to take it apart and then put it all together again with the the new air bag. Had a short test drive after it was all done and no fault codes, and the ride was as good as before.
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2006 Audi A8 3.0 TDI Quattro Sport
A8 W12/S8 Brakes front and rear (385mm/335mm)
Focal and JBL speakers, Helix amps
S8 anti-roll bars front and rear
Complete rear LED taillight
Xenon fog lights
All interior LED
S8 rims 9x20"
Stage II tune
S8 Grill
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Old 9th January 2021, 09:20 PM
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homer simpson homer simpson is offline
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Excellent! Where did you buy the bag from in the end?
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2008 (facelift) S8 with B&O, ACC, glass sunroof, reversing camera, front and rear heated seats, ceramic brakes, homelink, electric side and rear blinds, ski load through, heated fan washer jets, remote boot closing, de-flapped manifold, fridge, umbrella holder
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Old 10th January 2021, 07:03 AM
NightOwl NightOwl is offline
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I bought it from eBay and it came with the upper and lower o-ring. Couple of things the keep in mind doing this. You would need a 41mm pipe, and a deep/long 18mm pipe. And you would have to cut the cable going to the shock, or you may be able to disconnect the cables from the connection too as it wont be able to in the hole where the rod goes through the air bag. I just cut the cable and soldered it back together in the end.
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2006 Audi A8 3.0 TDI Quattro Sport
A8 W12/S8 Brakes front and rear (385mm/335mm)
Focal and JBL speakers, Helix amps
S8 anti-roll bars front and rear
Complete rear LED taillight
Xenon fog lights
All interior LED
S8 rims 9x20"
Stage II tune
S8 Grill

Last edited by NightOwl; 11th January 2021 at 09:11 AM.
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  #10  
Old 10th January 2021, 11:34 AM
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Thanks
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