Parts for your 2017 Audi Q5-Strut mounts

2017 Audi Q5 strut-mounts — what they do and when to replace them

Based on Audi workshop literature (Elsa/ELSAPro) and OE parts catalogues (ETKA) for the 2017 Audi Q5 (Type 8R), this model uses spring‑strut assemblies at the front with an upper mount, and shock absorber upper mounts at the rear. That means strut‑mounts are absolutely relevant and serviceable items on this vehicle.

On the Q5, the front “strut mount” isn’t a steering bearing like a classic MacPherson setup, but it still does critical work. It locates the top of the damper/spring assembly in the body, isolates road harshness, and keeps noise and vibration in check. At the rear, the shock absorber upper mounts perform a similar isolation role. When these mounts age or crack, the car can develop clunks over bumps, a thud on driveway entries, or a droning/vibration that’s hard to pin down.

For owners and workshops, the sweet spot is to check the strut‑mounts whenever front shocks/springs or rear shocks are off, or around the 80,000–150,000 km mark depending on road conditions. City kerbs, corrugations, and towing can shorten their life. If the rubber is perished, torn, or the mount sits off‑centre, it’s time to replace. Doing left and right as a pair helps keep the Q5’s ride and handling even.

• Common symptoms: clunking on small bumps, a creak at low speeds, vibration through the floor, or imprecise front‑end feel.
• Service tips: replace any self‑locking nuts and torque‑to‑yield bolts specified by Audi, support control arms during removal, and book a wheel alignment after front strut work.
• If equipped with adaptive damping/ride‑height sensors, disconnect harnesses carefully and follow calibration steps after reassembly.

Quality OE‑equivalent mounts keep the cabin quiet and the steering feel tidy, and they protect new dampers from premature wear. A well‑sorted set of strut‑mounts helps the Q5 track straight, reduces tyre cupping, and brings back that Audi calm on coarse‑chip roads. It’s a modest part that makes a noticeable difference when fresh.

A quick driveway check: listen for a dull knock over speed humps, look for cracked rubber around the mount tops under the bonnet, and note any new vibration at motorway speeds. If any of that sounds familiar, getting the mounts assessed with the next service is a smart, no‑dramas move.

• Do all 2017 Audi Q5s have strut‑mounts?
  Yes. The front axle uses a spring‑strut assembly with an upper mount, and the rear shocks also have upper mounts. While the front mount isn’t a rotating steering bearing like some MacPherson cars, it’s still a key isolation and locating component.
• When should the strut‑mounts be replaced?
  There’s no fixed interval, but many need attention between 80,000 and 150,000 km, earlier on rough roads. Replace if there’s cracking, collapse, metal‑to‑metal contact, or persistent clunks and vibration. It’s good practice to renew mounts when fitting new shocks.
• Will changing strut‑mounts affect alignment or tyre wear?
  Any time the front struts are removed, a wheel alignment is recommended. Fresh mounts help the suspension hold geometry properly, which reduces uneven tyre wear and restores stable tracking.