2011-2018 Audi A8 4 Wheel Air Suspension Conversion Kit (AA34F)

Replaced Components

The 2011-2018 Audi A8 is built with the following suspension components:

2011-2018 Audi A8 Air Struts (x4) - The inner portion of the struts are a cylinder filled with hydraulic fluid under a gas charge, used to dampen vibration and bounciness caused by travel on rough roads. The struts also serve a mounting place for a rubber air spring, managed by a suspension control module. These rubber air springs inflate to support the weight of the vehicle and they are the number one source of leaks in the system -- caused by dry rot and normal wear and tear. The rubber air springs also help maintain the vehicles correct ride height, especially whenever the amount of load put onto the vehicle changes.

2011-2018 Audi A8 Air Lines - Tubes that carry compressed air from an onboard compressor to the rubber bladder portion of the air struts.

2011-2018 Audi A8 Solenoids (x4) - These mostly plastic components work along with the vehicle's control module to regulate air pressure for each air spring. Solenoids start to leak as they wear out causing the vehicle to sag or to lean. This will cause the ride height sensor to send a signal to activate the compressor in an attempt to inflate the air suspension and level out the vehicle. This excessive work load will eventually lead to total failure of the compressor.

2011-2018 Audi A8 Compressor - Creates and sends pressurized air to active suspension components. When the air suspension starts leaking, the compressor/pump starts working harder to try to keep the system inflated. By the time air suspension leaks down completely, the compressor will either have failed or be well on its way to full failure. Buying replacement air struts and taking the time to install them, only to find out the compressor still needs to be replaced, can be very frustrating and expensive.

2011-2018 Audi A8 Dryer Assembly - Used to keep moisture out of air lines and air springs in order to prevent freezing and internal cracking of these parts. Once air suspension starts leaking, moisture will build up throughout the air system. Moisture damages the air suspension from the inside. The dryer will need to be replaced in order to eliminate the moisture and prevent any further damage.

2011-2018 Audi A8 Suspension Control Module - A computer responsible for the operations of the air suspension system and maintaining the vehicle's correct ride height.

2011-2018 Audi A8 O-rings - Although they are the least expensive parts of the air suspension, they are responsible for maintaining the seal where all of the air lines connect. Be sure to replace the O-rings when repairing any air suspension system.

Suspension Failure Signs
Your 2011-2018 Audi A8 has a very complex and expensive air suspension system. This system was designed with an almost unprecedented amount of onboard sensors designed to detect failing air suspension components as well as failing sensors. Previous air suspension systems utilized ride-height sensors in order to determine if the rubber air bags (also called air springs) were going bad. This was essentially an analog-style system wherein these accordion-like sensors acted like a vertical scale. The 2011-2018 Audi A8 factory air suspension system uses sensors and an onboard diagnostic system that can actually tell you particular issues with specific worn out and identify failing air suspension components. On the dashboard, there are various LED indicators that can tell you things like if an air strut is actually leaking, or if your air compressor is over-heating, etc. A sudden loss of three to five inches of ride height is the most obvious sign your air suspension system has failed. However, with the 2011-2018 Audi A8, paying attention to the amber LED or the air bag light on the dash is a good way to catch your air suspension going bad in its early stages. Catching the system going bad early gives you the opportunity to plan out your repair or replacement of the system.

OEM Replacement Cost

• Rear Air Struts ($899/strut)
• Front Air Struts ($759/strut)

TOTAL: Over $3,300 (and that doesn't even include replacing electronic components that are known to fail such as the height sensors).

• Rear Struts ($399/strut)
• Front Air Struts ($399/strut)
• Compressor Assembly ($499)

TOTAL: Over $2,000 (and that doesn't even include replacing electronic components that are known to fail such as the height sensors).