Parts for your 2010 Audi Q5-Strut mounts

2010 Audi Q5 strut-mounts: what they do and when to replace them

Based on Audi’s 8R Q5 front axle design in the workshop literature (ElsaWin) and parts catalogues (ETKA), along with OE supplier catalogues from Lemförder, Sachs and Febi that list a “front strut mount/support bearing” for 2009–2017 Q5, the 2010 Audi Q5 is indeed fitted with front strut-mounts. The rear suspension uses separate shocks and springs, so there are no rear strut-mounts—just rear shock mounts.

The strut-mounts on a 2010 Audi Q5 sit at the top of the front spring-and-damper assemblies. They isolate road harshness, keep the strut aligned, and on this platform incorporate a support bearing that allows smooth suspension movement under steering load. When they’re healthy, the cabin stays quieter, steering feels more precise, and tyre contact is more consistent over bumpy Kiwi and Aussie backroads.

On a Q5 that’s clocked up a few hundred thousand kilometres or tows regularly, strut-mounts can compress, crack or the bearing can get notchy. That’s when ride gets thumpy and steering feel goes a bit dull. Left long enough, they can chew through tyres and place extra stress on the strut and control arms.

• Common signs they’re tired: clunks over speed humps, a rubbery knock at low speeds, light creaking when turning, vague steering on turn-in, cupped or uneven tyre wear, and a small change in ride height side-to-side.
• Recommended service approach: inspect at every service once past 100,000 km, replace in axle pairs, use new self-locking hardware and spring seats, and book a wheel alignment straight after the job.

Replacement on the Q5 requires spring compressors and correct torque specs, so it’s a workshop job for most owners. Quality matters here—go for OE or reputable OEM brands to keep NVH in check. When fitting new mounts, it’s smart to assess the front shocks and bump stops at the same time, if they’re original, doing them together saves labour and keeps the front end balanced.

With fresh strut-mounts, a 2010 Q5 regains that tight, confident front end—less shimmy over patched tarmac, cleaner steering around town, and more settled behaviour on corrugations or gravel.

FAQs

Does a 2010 Audi Q5 actually have strut-mounts?
Yes. Technical references for the 8R platform and OE supplier catalogues confirm front strut-mounts (with an integrated support bearing). The rear uses separate shock mounts, not strut-mounts.

What symptoms point to worn strut-mounts on a 2010 Q5?
Owners often notice clunks over bumps, a creak when turning at parking speeds, slightly vague steering on initial turn-in, and sometimes uneven tyre wear. Visual checks may show cracked rubber or sag around the top of the strut tower.

Do strut-mounts need an alignment after replacement?
A wheel alignment is strongly recommended. Even if control arms aren’t disturbed, ride height and top mount position can shift enough to affect camber and toe, so aligning the Q5 after the job protects tyres and restores steering feel.