Audi A3 & S3 Suspension & Brake Diagnostic Guide (Audi MQB 2015-2020)

►The Audi MQB platform is nearly ten years old now, which means that most of the suspension and brake systems are either due for an overhaul or are very soon to be. While most of this is standard for any new car, you should be aware of some intricacies of the Audi A3 & S3 MQB platform.
The MQB Audi platform, specifically the A3 and S3 spans a wide range of years, from 2015 straight through 2020. They suffer most of the common maintenance issues with newer European cars. No matter what you do, bushings, ball joints, bearings, shocks, and struts will begin to wear out and fail. The same goes for the brakes, especially on the S3. With the added performance capabilities of the S3, you can expect the brake pads and rotors to wear faster and the brake fluid to need replacing more frequently.
Join us as FCP Euro's Audi Catalog Manager, Aaron Davis, gets up underneath these cars to show us everything we need to look out for on the suspension and brakes when owning one of these Audi A3s or S3s.
00:00 - Intro
01:24 - Jacking Up an Audi S3
02:58 - Front Struts
03:58 - Sway Bar End Links
05:10 - Front Ball Joint
05:43 - Tie Rods
07:02 - Lower Control Arm
09:08 - Front Brakes
11:04 - Rear Suspension
11:10 - Rear Shock Assembly
12:32 - Trailing Arm
13:19 - Rear Control Arm
13:53 - Rear Lower Control Arm
14:18 - Rear Sway Bar End Link
14:49 - Springs & Shocks Layout
15:23 - Rear Upper Control Arm
15:50 - Wrap-Up
Buy Suspension Components Here:
Front Sway Bar End Links -
www.fcpeuro.com/products/audi...
Front Ball Joint Kit -
www.fcpeuro.com/products/audi...
Tie Rod Kit -
www.fcpeuro.com/products/audi...
Front Control Arm -
www.fcpeuro.com/products/vw-c...
CTA 1430 Tool -
www.fcpeuro.com/products/manu...
Rear Shock Mounts -
www.fcpeuro.com/products/audi...
Rear Trailing Arm -
www.fcpeuro.com/products/vw-t...
Rear Sway Bar End Links -
www.fcpeuro.com/products/audi...
Rear Upper Control Arm -
www.fcpeuro.com/products/audi...
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[@sajjeel123]

Just wanted to say how much I enjoyed this, fantastic guide for anybody who doesn't know much about suspension components

[@Davoet]

You know you can trust the advice given when the mechanic has an Audi tattoo

[@benzbenzm646]

Thank you for this video, we enjoyed this work and thank you for all the information 👌

[@nootahs]

I have a 2015 A3 and can confirm that the arrows are still present on the cars body even without the side skirts. It's very convenient and I'm glad they included that instead of having to inspect underneath for the welded points.

[@fcpeuro]

Thank you for letting us know, Brandon!

[@beeayyee9977]

Fantastic video! Thank you for all the helpful information.

[@douglascollus]

Perfect guide !! Very useful info. Thanks

[@Tre-g7f]

Very useful info for me and my A3. Thanks

[@NA-xz4wj]

New Drinking game: take a sip every time he says "Actually" 😂. This was actually very helpful though.... actually.

[@HanifEFIMechanical]

Good 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@gombie72]

Could we get an in depth video about replacing/rebuilding the alternator/one way clutches on the volvo Si6? seems to me its a pretty involved process and would cover some good maintenance. intake gaskets, coolant maybe? general intake cleaning? Im seeing quite a few starting to go bad now that the p3 3.2s and 3.0s are getting into the higher mileage. even local shops are quoting around $2500

[@fcpeuro]

Noted!

[@andrewnakhla6125]

Hey what tools do you need to replace tie rods ?

[@ajeetm]

Such an awesome walkthrough, thank you! My inner front control arm bushing is wet/leaking. Is it time to replace, or do I have a while?

[@fcpeuro]

Thank you for watching Ajeet! At this point, you will want to replace them before they wear too far and start to stress out the surrounding components.

[@ajeetm]

@@fcpeuro the video says swapping the front contol arm is "easy" however on the RS3, doesn't the entire subframe need to be lowered so there's enough clearance for the outer bolt on the left side (driver side in US)?

[@andrewburke612]

the inner and outer tie rod has no movement or play so that means they are bad?

[@waynesworld6020]

Hello. I have a 2018 a3 5 door 8v any tips about a creaking and groaning noise when nearly full lock turning when parking . Any problems that can cause this . Don't seem to have any oil leaks or play in any of the mounts or bushes

[@angeloj.6460]

Power steering issue I think, my 2015 had the exact issue before I sold it

[@kyleferreira5032]

I have a popping noise, my dad sat in back seat it happened. I leave my driveway over a few bumps it happned, i was driving 10 mph and turned left and right fast and it popped each time i changed direction. Any idea? i was thinking something with rear sway bar or the lower control arms.

[@fcpeuro]

Sway bar was the first thing we thought of. If it's an aftermarket bar that's pretty common - check the bushings and lubricate if needed. If that is fine, check the endlinks for wear or play.

[@kylejg85]

I've got a 2015 A3 that seems to have some rear suspension issue. When going over a bump like a manhole, bridge deck connector or really any bumpy surface, as soon as the rear passenger tire hits, the car sways pretty badly and at high speeds on a corner it's sketchy. Where would you recommend to start looking? Rear sway and links?

[@fcpeuro]

Worn suspension bushings can certainly aid that, however, sometimes a simple alignment will correct that as well. Check for uneven tire wear while you are inspecting.

[@mohdshuil3433]

I have one Q I have noise with steering when stationary when I do right and left , kindly advice

[@fcpeuro]

Hello, we would advise you do a full inspection of your front end, as the noise can be coming from your strut mounts to your tie rods or control arms being worn. A good starting point would be to jack up the front end safely, and have someone turn the wheel inside for you while you inspect below.

[@danyvuong4145]

Can we install this shock absorber on a Audi s3 with electronic control ?

[@fcpeuro]

There are electronic dampers available on FCPEuro.com for your model. While you may physically be able to install it, an error light will persist.

[@danyvuong4145]

Can we remove the error light ?@@fcpeuro

[@Asserti]

My mom drives a 2006 A3 with around 140k miles on it. What’s the average life span of the suspension on those cars?

[@fcpeuro]

On most vehicles, suspension components start to degrade around 80k miles. However, every vehicle will vary, as it also depends heavily on the type of roads the vehicle is driven on.

[@saydwolfe5799]

I'm glad someone else realized how much of a pia those upper pinch bolts are thought lmfao. That was the worst on my b6 a4

[@RefinedRandy]

Great video! I have a 2015 S3 with mag-ride. Suspension is 100% OEM. Lately I've been getting a "knock" noise when going over large bumps or holes at low speeds, and when turning in/out of a driveway with a sloping apron. No knocking at higher speeds. Not even any at 35mph. Even when hitting large bumps or holes at higher speeds, nothing. Low speed only, like 15mph or slower, on bigger bumps and holes, and when turning in/out of sloped driveways. Any ideas? I appreciate any insight.

[@jeffst.hilaire7859]

Top Strut mounts

[@FernandoDiaz-hw4wn]

I had the same exact issue 6 months back. Dealer (under warranty) started with the strut mounts and though it reduced the "knock" noise, it did not remove entirely. They determined it was the strut even though it was not leaking yet.