Audi 80 Quiz
Suspension and Steering

Trouble Symptoms - Shock Absorbers

In this manual: Suspension and Steering
Technical Description — 39Engines — 41Exhaust System — 13Cooling System — 28Fuel tank and fuel pump — 12Air Filter and Intake Ducts — 13Mono-Motronic Injection System — 18Digifant Injection System — 19KE-III-Jetronic Injection System — 35MPI and MPFI Injection Systems — 32Clutch — 11Transmission and Driveline — 21Suspension and Steering — 33Brake System — 41Anti-lock brake system — 8Wheels and Tires — 13Body Electrical System — 35Ignition System — 24Lighting — 14Signaling Devices — 7Instruments and Auxiliary Equipment — 54Heating and Ventilation — 7Body Components — 18Troubleshooting — 6Specifications — 13
~1min read

There are several clear signs of deteriorating shock absorber performance:

Steering wheel vibration, because the wheels no longer maintain constant contact with the road surface.

The body oscillates when driving over bumps.

The vehicle "wanders" when cornering, with the inner wheels not pressed firmly enough onto the road and insufficient load removed from the outer wheels.

Bouncing wheels; this can naturally only be noticed by an observer driving alongside or behind you.

Repeatedly interrupted braking marks during full braking, caused by bouncing wheels (on vehicles with ABS, this effect is suppressed by ABS adjustment).

Uneven tire wear and excessive tire wear.

Significant oil traces on the outside of the shock absorbers and under the strut spring plate. Slight traces of oil, on the other hand, are normal.

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A quick Audi 80 quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.