Audi Workshop Service and Repair Manuals

Special tools and workshop equipment required

• ◆ 10-222 A Support bar
• ◆ 10-222 A/1 Frame
• ◆ 3393 Test bars
• ◆ V.A.G 1331 Torque wrench
• ◆ V.A.G 1332 Torque wrench
• ◆ V.A.G 1383 A Engine/gearbox lifter

Removing

• ‒ → Support engine with support bar.

• ‒ → Detach wheel trim. In the case of light alloy wheels, use puller from vehicle tool kit or suction grip -3208- to remove trim cap.
• ‒ Remove wheels.
• ‒ Remove noise insulation.

• ‒ → Before unfastening subframe, use test bar 3393 to check whether holes -1- and -2- coincide.

If this is not the case, wheel alignment must be performed after installing subframe.

To avoid damaging joints of lower links provide support, e.g. using V.A.G 1383-A (engine and gearbox lifter), to guard against excessive rebound.

• ‒ → Unscrew hexagon nuts -3-.
• ‒ Slacken off hexagon bolt -1- for attaching guide link to subframe.

• ‒ → Screw out hexagon bolts -1-.
• ‒ Slacken off hexagon bolts -2- and lower subframe at rear.

Note:

To excessive bending of pin-end joints of track control and guide links, they are to be attached to body with wire or the like.

• ‒ Pull out hexagon bolts of guide links.
• ‒ Pull guide link out of subframe.

• ‒ → Screw out hexagon bolt -5-.

For vehicles with headlight range control, refer to .

• ‒ Unfasten hexagon nut -2- for attaching track control link to subframe and take out hexagon bolt.
• ‒ Pull wire of ABS speed sensor out of holder at brake caliper.

• ‒ → Pull track control link out of subframe.

• ‒ → Unscrew hexagon nuts -3- and -4-.
• ‒ Unscrew hexagon bolts -5-.
• ‒ Slacken off hexagon bolts -6- until subframe can be taken out.

Installing

Note:

Always replace bolts and nuts.

• ‒ → Insert subframe and fit hexagon bolts -5- and -6-.

Note:

Heed installation position of suspension strut/track control link bolted joint .

• ‒ Fit hexagon bolt for suspension strut at track control link.

• ‒ → Insert track control and guide links in subframe.
• ‒ Insert bolts in inner holes -arrows-.
• ‒ On vehicles with headlight range control, fit connecting link of vehicle level sender at track control link => Page 40-22.

Before tightening, subframe must be located with respect to body using test bar 3393.

• ‒ → Hole -1-, hole -2- of subframe and hole -3- of aluminium bracket must be aligned on both sides.

Note:

This locating procedureprovides a substitute for subsequent wheel alignment:

• ◆ If only subframe has been removed/installed.
• ◆ If holes -1- and -2- coincided prior to repair work.

• ‒ → Fit hexagon bolts -1- and -2-.
• ‒ Fit hexagon nuts -3- and -4-.
• ‒ Protect hole in body for test bar 3393 against corrosion.

Tightening sequence/tightening torques

Bonded rubber bushes can only be turned to a limited extent. The bolted joints at the suspension links are therefore not to be tightened until the vehicle is standing on the ground.

• ‒ → Tighten hexagon bolts -2- and -5- to 110 Nm and give further 90° turn.
• ‒ Tighten hexagon bolts -6- to 75 Nm.
• ‒ Tighten hexagon bolts -1-.
• Tightening torques:
• Non-ribbed hexagon bolt: 30 Nm
• Ribbed hexagon bolt: 75 Nm
• ‒ Tighten hexagon nuts -3- and -4- to 40 Nm.
• ‒ Tighten hexagon nuts for track control link to 80 Nm and give further 90° turn.
• ‒ Tighten hexagon nuts for guide link to 90 Nm and give further 90° turn.

Pay attention to modified connecting links and tightening torques
.

• ‒ Attach connecting link to anti-roll bar with new ribbed nuts (100 Nm).
• ‒ Attach suspension strut to track control link (90 Nm).
• ‒ Insert wire of ABS speed sensor in holder at brake caliper.
• ‒ Fit and secure wheels => Page 44-1.

Notes:

• ◆ Wheel alignment is not necessary if subframe was located with respect to body using test bar 3393 prior to removal and assembly (before tightening bolts).
• ◆ Wheel alignment must be performed if locating procedure was not employed.

• ‒ Perform wheel alignment => Page 44-13.