Parts for your 2020 Audi Q5-Strut mounts

2020 Audi Q5 strut-mounts — are they used on this model?

Short answer: no. Referencing Audi’s own technical material (Audi erWin/ELSA workshop procedures for the FY-series Q5, Front/Rear Axle and Suspension, plus the Audi Self‑Study Programme covering the FY Q5 platform), the 2020 Audi Q5 runs a five‑link front suspension and a multi‑link rear. It doesn’t use a MacPherson strut at either end, so a conventional “strut mount” with a built‑in bearing isn’t part of this vehicle’s design.

On cars with MacPherson struts, the strut mount does two big jobs: it isolates vibration and, with an integrated bearing, it lets the strut turn as you steer. The Q5’s five‑link layout is different. Steering pivoting happens through the upper and lower control arm ball joints and links, not through the damper. The shock absorber is simply a damper bolted in, and its top connection is a rubber/metal shock mount (an isolator), not a rotating strut mount with a bearing.

What does that mean for servicing? If someone is recommending “strut-mounts” for a 2020 Q5, they’re likely using generic wording. The correct focus is on:

• Shock absorber upper mounts/isolators (front and rear) and damper bushes
• Front five‑link control arm bushes and ball joints
• Rear multi‑link arm bushes and joints
• Top hats/nut hardware and any torque‑to‑yield fasteners as specified by Audi

Typical symptoms that prompt inspection include clunks over sharp bumps, knocking at low speeds, vague steering feel, wandering, or uneven tyre wear. During routine servicing, it’s smart to visually check the damper bodies for leaks, inspect the shock upper mounts for cracking or collapse, and assess the control arm bushes for cracking or excessive movement.

When replacing dampers or upper shock mounts on a Q5, do them in axle pairs, torque all fasteners at normal ride height, and finish with a wheel alignment. Many fasteners on this platform are single‑use stretch bolts—replace them if the Audi repair manual calls for it. Sticking with quality OE‑equivalent components keeps ride quality and tyre life on point, which is exactly what a late‑model Q5 owner expects.

Popular questions about 2020 Audi Q5 strut-mounts

Does the 2020 Audi Q5 actually have strut mounts?
No. Because the FY‑series Q5 uses five‑link front suspension and a multi‑link rear, it doesn’t use MacPherson struts, so there’s no rotating strut mount with a bearing. Instead, it has shock absorber upper mounts/isolators that don’t steer.

What parts should be checked instead of strut mounts?
Look at the shock upper mounts and the dampers themselves for wear or leaks. Up front, inspect the five‑link control arm bushes and ball joints, at the rear, check the multi‑link arm bushes and joints. These are the components that control geometry, noise isolation, and steering feel on a Q5.

What are the signs that my Q5’s mounts or bushes need replacement?
Tell‑tales include clunks over bumps, a thump when turning into driveways, vibration through the body, tramlining or vague steering, and irregular tyre wear. If you notice any of that, have a tech perform a suspension inspection and plan on an alignment after any replacement.