Afternoon

I have a failed parking sensor, is there any way of removing it for replacement without having to remove inner wheel arches?

 

Thanks

I don't think there is. 

Front wheel arch liner needs to come off (usually Torx head screws), and depending on location, engine tray too. Parts made by Valeo. Good opportunity to clean out annyway.

Easy enough to prep yourself as Audi will charge small fortune for colour coded one.

Make a mask template with card, lightly key PDC sensor with 1500 grit sandpaper, wipe sensor with isopropyl alcohol. First coat of plastic primer, couple of top colour coats and followed by a couple of clear lacquer flash coats. Read you can cure paint by popping in oven for a few minutes (without the rubber ‘o’ ring, but think I’d miss that part out, and just don’t jet-wash directly for a few weeks.

Edited July 13, 2025Jul 13 by spartacus 68

Handy hints, thanks. I think I have at least one to replace myself and wasn't sure if I needed special paint so as not to damage functionality of the sensor.

It’s this one that needs replacing so looks like no paiint

of I had smaller hands I’m sure I could get to it….. 

The sensors come in a matt black plastic. I actually thing that sensor is painted. I could be wrong, but there looks like a corrosion on the surface.

Check with Audi, I think it’s called platinum gray and finished in satin matt.

Removing the wheel arch isn’t too big a deal. You need to twist the old sensor out and unhook the wiring anyway, so even tight access isn’t likely to work.