Air suspension failure / replacement parts

[csaba.meszaros]

Dear Members,

Looks like my '16 Audi RS7 has some problems with the air suspension. There is some construction going on in the yard and the car sat in the garage for like 5 days, I've observed that the rear left got deflated, the tires are now behind the fender for that corner. The other corners seem to be fine. Checked with VCDS, there are no codes for the suspension, just the one that is being triggered when you activate tire change mode from the MMI, I've changed to winter tires in December. When I open the doors, the compressor brings that corner as well to level.

I suspect one of the struts has a leak, most likely the rear left. I have a few questions for those who already did this repair:

1.) Is it safe to change just the rear-left or is it recommended to change them in pair?

2.) Is the air suspension of the RS7 different than the A7/S7? Stiffer or something.

3.) Looks like Dunlop is producing an aftermarket replacement at a fair price, some say it's better than OEM, is it safe to use that on an RS7? I would change both at the rear if I go aftermarket.

Thanks a lot!

[gk1]

If you cannot check yourself, I'd have someone look at it.
It might not be the air spring at all, could be a leak in the air lines or at the valve block in the trunk.
I also say air spring because in the rear the air spring and shock are separate unlike the front where it is one complete strut.

As a side note the S7 and RS7 rear air springs do appear to be the same.
Left 4G0616001AA

I think the RS7 suspension tuning difference is done in software with the electronics for the shock and they are different parts.
S7 4G0616031AE
RS7 4G0616031AF

[daytona rs7]

mileage on the car?

Its typically recommended to replace them in pairs. If you happen to have a very low mileage car, im sure you can replace just one.

[csaba.meszaros]

I have 63k KM ~ 40k miles. I've contacted a company specialized in air suspensions and they've recommended a new enforced product from LuftMaster-Dunlop. Will change them in pair and will send them the factory components for a rebuild.

They look a bit different than the original ones which bother me, but they've ensured it's just the dust protection that's missing which is anyway not needed due to the location of the air suspension ( inside an aluminum housing). They offer 2 years of warranty.

[csaba.meszaros]

After changing both air suspensions in the back, the rear-left is still losing air somewhere about a centimeter every two days. Which are the common leaking points we should check?

[gk1]

After changing both air suspensions in the back, the rear-left is still losing air somewhere about a centimeter every two days. Which are the common leaking points we should check?

I don't know if there are any "common leaking points"...anywhere there is an air line or connection maybe???

"It might not be the air spring at all, could be a leak in the air lines or at the valve block in the trunk."

Did your mechanic diagnose the rear air springs were faulty before replacing them or just took a shot in the dark and is now finding out they were not the issue?

[T00fast]

My issue was a leaking left front air spring which was triggering VCDS codes for the ride height sensor, ACC being disable because of uneven right height. What was confusing me was the code said 'Mechanical failure of the sensor' My first purchase was an ebay ride height sensor in which the code eventually came back. I ended up just getting one air spring and it fixed my issue after recalibrating the air suspension, I look at it if the older air spring holds air and there's no codes, might as well let the other one go as long as possible. Ended up going with the remanufactured Arnott springs from AutoHausAZ.

I can't speak for the rears, but have you sprayed soapy water at the fittings where the air line goes into the rear bag? Did you replace the brass air fitting? Also spray the air distribution block with soapy water in the trunk too. You could just gamble and replace the valve block. Theres ebay ones out there for cheap, the OEM one is is around 350 bucks.

Good luck.

[AudiTurbo4me777]

My issue was a leaking left front air spring which was triggering VCDS codes for the ride height sensor, ACC being disable because of uneven right height. What was confusing me was the code said 'Mechanical failure of the sensor' My first purchase was an ebay ride height sensor in which the code eventually came back. I ended up just getting one air spring and it fixed my issue after recalibrating the air suspension, I look at it if the older air spring holds air and there's no codes, might as well let the other one go as long as possible. Ended up going with the remanufactured Arnott springs from AutoHausAZ.

I can't speak for the rears, but have you sprayed soapy water at the fittings where the air line goes into the rear bag? Did you replace the brass air fitting? Also spray the air distribution block with soapy water in the trunk too. You could just gamble and replace the valve block. Theres ebay ones out there for cheap, the OEM one is is around 350 bucks.

Good luck.

I have a 2013 Audi S6 and after 2 days or more the front drops way over the front tires. I have quite a few miles on my car. Do you guys think it's the front air struts? Also the passenger side sits about 1/4 to 1/2 lower. Thinking on replacing both struts since they have high mileage already anyways.

[csaba.meszaros]

Did your mechanic diagnose the rear air springs were faulty before replacing them or just took a shot in the dark and is now finding out they were not the issue?

From my research, air spring fault was obvious in my case so I've decided to source the parts from somewhere else and just ask the mechanic to replace them. I must admit I've failed. I will check the valve block in the trunk.

[csaba.meszaros]

Damn, it was a loose-fitting in the valve block. Sprayed some pre-wash liquid on it and it was bubbling at the base between the housing and the fitting. Tightened it up until I felt confident I am not going to screw the plastic thread, sprayed again, bubbling is gone.

[daytona rs7]

expensive assumption on your part to replace the struts.
If you still have your old ones, at least you have working spares.

[AudiTurbo4me777]

Damn, it was a loose-fitting in the valve block. Sprayed some pre-wash liquid on it and it was bubbling at the base between the housing and the fitting. Tightened it up until I felt confident I am not going to screw the plastic thread, sprayed again, bubbling is gone.

Will some soap and water in a spray bottle work to check for air leaks around the connections? Also is it possible to get rebuilt air struts over getting new ones?

[csaba.meszaros]

Will some soap and water in a spray bottle work to check for air leaks around the connections? Also is it possible to get rebuilt air struts over getting new ones?

Yes, soapy water also works fine. I just had the pre-wash liquid dissolved in the garage and prepared for a wash. Front struts can be rebuilt but this takes time and very few shops will keep your car on the jack while the rebuilt is ready. Try to trade in your OEM struts and get some rebuilt OEMs, we have shops specialized in this in the EU. As for the back, I've just replaced them for 400$ with labor included. After one night, I've measured the ride height is still the same, so the leak is gone. Problem solved. GK1 let me know where I can send the beers. Thanks!

[AudiTurbo4me777]

Yes, soapy water also works fine. I just had the pre-wash liquid dissolved in the garage and prepared for a wash. Front struts can be rebuilt but this takes time and very few shops will keep your car on the jack while the rebuilt is ready. Try to trade in your OEM struts and get some rebuilt OEMs, we have shops specialized in this in the EU. As for the back, I've just replaced them for 400$ with labor included. After one night, I've measured the ride height is still the same, so the leak is gone. Problem solved. GK1 let me know where I can send the beers. Thanks!

Alright, will keep everyone posted as to what I find soon as I get the chance to do it. I'm thinking mine would also be leak in the block in the trunk but mine takes about 2 days or more for the whole front to bottom out.

[T00fast]

Will some soap and water in a spray bottle work to check for air leaks around the connections? Also is it possible to get rebuilt air struts over getting new ones?

Yes, Look at Arnott Industries. I replaced one of my fronts... Took me an hour with my quick jacks. Each front was like 450 + 250 dollar core from AutohausAZ

[AudiTurbo4me777]

Alright, I will check about those air struts, thanks.

[AudiTurbo4me777]

Does anyone know the location of the air compressor for a 2013 Audi S6? Can you actually hear it working when it's on?

[mintytoo]

Does anyone know the location of the air compressor for a 2013 Audi S6? Can you actually hear it working when it's on?

It's in the trunk, under the carpet, around the spare tire

[GlacierS5]

Does anyone know the location of the air compressor for a 2013 Audi S6? Can you actually hear it working when it's on?

This one is from a RS7 in the spare tire area circled in red. 20210104_121406.jpg

Sent from my SM-G975U using Audizine mobile app

[gk1]

That is the solenoid valve block.
The compressor is under the car by the rear sway bar.
In this pic it is under the black cover in the middle by the spare tire well.


Here is what it looks like.

[mintytoo]

thanks for starting this thread. I was looking to fix my front sagging suspension. It started after an unusually cold freeze spell in Houston. The front driver's bag was hissing, and instead of jumping in and replacing the air strut, i did the soapy water and found the air line connection was hissing, and it was a cheap O ring that was worn. Fingers crossed, but now the car is at a good height for > 5 hours. (2015 s6, 58k miles)

[AudiTurbo4me777]

This one is from a RS7 in the spare tire area circled in red. 20210104_121406.jpg

Sent from my SM-G975U using Audizine mobile app

I checked the block with soapy water spray bottle and no leaks there.

[SPONGE]

Yes, Look at Arnott Industries. I replaced one of my fronts... Took me an hour with my quick jacks. Each front was like 450 + 250 dollar core from AutohausAZ

did u lode adaptive dampening? n get air suspension error codes?

[Alabama]

Where are these valves located in the car? Having the same issue. Thanks

Not sure what you're asking. Post #19 in this thread has a picture of the compressor in the trunk, under the spare tire.

[Tevien]

Not sure what you're asking. Post #19 in this thread has a picture of the compressor in the trunk, under the spare tire.

Yeah, noticed that as soon as I posted. Thanks.

[Reece6776]

Hey thanks for posting this issue it helped me find out mine is bubbling on one of the lines that's going into the metal part of the trunk. I assume that's where the compressor is. It's at the brass fitting where the blue hose comes out of it. Can that line be replaced or easily taken off to see if it's an o-ring or something bad. Thanks

[Reece6776]

[QUOTE=Reece6776;14872535]Hey thanks for posting this issue it helped me find out mine is bubbling on one of the lines that's going into the metal part of the trunk. I assume that's where the compressor is. It's at the brass fitting where the blue hose comes out of it. Can that line be replaced or easily taken off to see if it's an o-ring or something bad. Thanks

[Audisthesia]

Hey thanks for posting this issue it helped me find out mine is bubbling on one of the lines that's going into the metal part of the trunk. I assume that's where the compressor is. It's at the brass fitting where the blue hose comes out of it. Can that line be replaced or easily taken off to see if it's an o-ring or something bad. Thanks

That aluminum part in the trunk is the air tank/reservoir.