Parts for your 2018 Audi Q5-Struts

2018 Audi Q5 struts — do they actually apply?

Short answer: no — the 2018 Audi Q5 (FY/B9) doesn’t use MacPherson struts at the front or rear. Audi engineered this generation with five‑link independent suspension at both ends. In that layout, the shock absorber (damper) is not a structural locating member of the hub, so it’s not a “strut” in the technical sense. Instead, multiple control arms position the wheel, and the damper and spring handle the ride and body control.

This isn’t just workshop folklore. Audi’s own technical material — the Audi Q5 (FY) Self‑Study Programme, the Suspension/Wheels/Steering workshop manual, and the ETKA parts catalogue — all show a five‑link arrangement with separate dampers and coil springs (with optional adaptive damping on some models). None of those documents depict or list a combined, load‑bearing MacPherson strut assembly for the 2018 Q5.

Why doesn’t Audi use struts here? The five‑link setup gives engineers more freedom to tune camber, toe, and compliance separately for sharp steering, strong grip, and refined ride — all without the packaging compromises of a MacPherson tower. Because the damper isn’t carrying corner loads to locate the hub, it’s classed as a shock absorber, not a strut.

So, if a parts search turns up “struts” for a 2018 Audi Q5, that’s usually just generic cataloguing. What owners and techs will actually deal with are shocks, springs, and the various control arm bushes and ball joints that keep everything tight and quiet over New Zealand and Australian roads.

• Front and rear dampers (standard or adaptive) — inspect for leaks, misting, or reduced rebound every 20,000–30,000 km, replacement often falls between 80,000–120,000 km depending on use.
• Coil springs — check for sagging or cracks, replace in axle pairs to keep the ride height even.
• Control arm bushes/ball joints — look for play, tearing, or perished rubber, worn items cause shimmy and tyre wear.
• Top mounts and bump stops — inspect during damper replacement, renew if compressed, cracked, or noisy.
• Sway bar links and bushes — common wear points that add knocks over bumps.

If the Q5 rides a bit floaty, takes a second bounce over speed humps, or shows cupped inner tyre wear, it’s time to get the shocks and arm bushes checked rather than hunting for “struts”. Sticking with OE‑quality parts and a proper wheel alignment keeps the steering feel crisp and the tyres wearing evenly.

FAQs

Does a 2018 Audi Q5 have struts?
Technically, no. It uses five‑link suspension with separate shock absorbers and coil springs, not MacPherson struts. Some catalogues use “struts” as a catch‑all term, but for this model they’re shocks/dampers.

What should be serviced instead of struts on a 2018 Q5?
Focus on the front and rear shocks (standard or adaptive), coil springs, control arm bushes and ball joints, sway bar links/bushes, and the damper top mounts and bump stops. These are the wear items that affect ride and handling.

When should the shocks be replaced on a 2018 Q5?
Inspection every 20,000–30,000 km is sensible. Many vehicles need shocks somewhere between 80,000–120,000 km, sooner with heavy towing, rough roads, or if there’s oil misting, knocking, or excessive bouncing.