Audi Workshop Service and Repair Manuals

Special tools and workshop equipment required

• ◆ V.A.G 1332 Torque wrench
• ◆ V.A.G 1383 A Engine/gearbox jack with universal gearbox support V.A.G 1359/2
• ◆ V.A.G 1869/2 Brake pedal actuator
• ◆ T10038 Tensioning strap
• ◆ T10149 Support
• ◆ VAS 6178 Pump
• ◆ VAS 6179 Cylinder
• ◆ VAS 6180 Assembly device

Install only "conventional" bonded rubber bushes when hydraulic bonded rubber bushes have been removed.

Replacement must be performed on both sides of the vehicle. Mixed installation of the different types of bushes on the same vehicle is not permissible.

Removing

• ‒ → Using a tape measure or similar, measure distance -a- from centre of wheel to lower edge of wheel housing.
• ‒ Make a note of this measurement; it is required when tightening bolts securing rear axle to mounting bracket.
• ‒ Fit brake pedal actuator V.A.G 1869/2.
• ‒ Lift vehicle to working height.
• ‒ Remove wheels.

• ‒ → Disconnect brake lines -arrow A- and take out clips.
• ‒ Pull left brake hose out of bracket -2-.
• ‒ Pull right brake hose out of rear axle.
• ‒ Remove handbrake cables from brackets -arrow B-.
• ‒ Place gearbox jack V.A.G 1383 A under vehicle.
• ‒ Remove bolt -1- securing mounting bracket to rear axle on both sides.
• ‒ Lower rear axle with gearbox jack V.A.G 1383 A.

• ‒ → Secure rear axle to exhaust mountings using tensioning strap T10038.

Vehicles with dynamic headlight range control

• ‒ Detach connecting link for vehicle level sender -G76 from rear axle=>Page 42-11.

Continued for all vehicles

Note:

Place engine/gearbox jack V.A.G 1383 A with universal gearbox support V.A.G 1359/2 under suspension link (to prevent risk of accidents caused by parts dropping when bush is pulled out).

Pressing out core of hydraulic bonded rubber bush

• ‒ → Set up special tools on rear axle as shown.
• ‒ Put a plastic bag over the special tools and suspension link to catch escaping fluid immediately when bush is pressed out.
• ‒ Press out core of bonded rubber bush.

•     1 -    VAS 6179
•     2 -    VAS 6180/1
•     3 -    VAS 6180/4 (long)
•     4 -    VAS 6180/3
•     5 -    VAS 6180/2
•     6 -    V.A.G 1383 A with V.A.G 1359/2

Notes:

• ◆ The jaws of splitter VAS 6180/2 must engage between collar of bonded rubber bush and bush of suspension link.
• ◆ The marking "Top" on splitter VAS 6180/2 must face towards suspension link.

Pressing out sleeve of hydraulic bonded rubber bush

• ‒ → Press out sleeve

•     1 -    VAS 6179
•     2 -    VAS 6180/1
•     3 -    VAS 6180/4 (long)
•     4 -    VAS 6180/5
•     5 -    VAS 6180/8
•     6 -    V.A.G 1383 A with V.A.G 1359/2

Note:

The marking "Top" on VAS 6180/2 must face towards suspension link.

Installing

Use only "conventional" bonded rubber bushes when installing

→ End face of bonded rubber bush has markings -1-.

These markings must line up with the edge -arrow- on the trailing arm -2-.

• ‒ Mark position of markings -1- on circumference of bonded rubber bush.

• ‒ → Now bring bonded rubber bush and special tools into position on rear axle.

•     1 -    VAS 6179
•     2 -    VAS 6180/1
•     3 -    VAS 6180/6
•     4 -    VAS 6180/7
•     5 -    Bonded rubber bush
•     6 -    VAS 6180/8
•     7 -    V.A.G 1383 A with V.A.G 1359/2

Note:

The marking "Top" on VAS 6180/2 must face towards suspension link.

• ‒ → Before pressing in the bonded rubber bush, make sure that the previously made marking -arrow A- lines up with the edge -arrow B- on the trailing arm.

• ‒ → Press in bonded rubber bush until the remaining gap -arrow- is 0.2 mm.
• ‒ Measure this gap -arrow- with a feeler gauge -A-.
• ‒ Check position of bush after installation.

Securing vehicle to lifting platform

There is a risk of the vehicle slipping off the lifting platform if it is not secured properly.

• ‒ → Remove plugs from longitudinal member -3- and tighten tensioning strap.

•     1 -    Arm of lifting platform
•     2 -    Tensioning strap T10038
• Vehicle must be secured with tensioning straps on both sides.

• ‒ Before installing rear axle, grease kidney-shaped cavities in bonded rubber bushes with assembly paste G 052 150 A2.

• Noise can occur when the vehicle is driven if the bushes are installed dry.

→ Only tighten the bolts securing the rear axle to the mounting bracket when the distance -a- between the centre of the wheel hub and the lower edge of the wheel housing is the same as the distance measured before starting work.

Otherwise the bonded rubber bush will be under load, and service life will be reduced.

• ‒ Turn wheel hub until one of the threaded holes for the wheel bolts is facing upwards.
• ‒ Attach support T10149 using wheel bolt.
• ‒ Lift wheel bearing housing using engine/gearbox jack until distance -a- is obtained.

• ‒ Tighten bolts securing rear axle to mounting bracket to specified torque.

Perform remaining installation steps in reverse sequence of removal.

• ‒ Bleed brake system

=> Brake system; Repair group 47; Bleeding brake system