Audi Workshop Service and Repair Manuals

Note:

Axle beam is not to be welded and straightened.

• ◆ Always replace self-locking nuts.
• ◆ Bolted joints are only to be hand-tightened with power tools.

• Hexagon bolt, 25 Nm
• Gasket
• ◆ Always replace

• Hexagon bolt
• ◆ Always replace
• Mounting bracket
• ◆ Not to be unfastened for rear axle removal
• ◆ Take particular care when fitting bolts

Note:

• ◆ If mounting bracket removal is absolutely essential, perform rough adjustment on installing rear axle => Fig.1.
• ◆ On completion of installation work, perform wheel alignment .

• Hexagon nut
• ◆ Always replace
• ◆ 80 Nm + further 90° turn
• Hexagon bolt
• ◆ Always replace
• ◆ 50 Nm + further 90° turn

• Suspension strut
• ◆ Note different spring/shock absorber combinations, vehicle data sticker
• ◆ Left and right identical
• ◆ Removing and installing
• ◆ Servicing => Page 42-32
• ◆ Combination of different versions is not permitted
• Hexagon nut
• ◆ Always replace
• Outer rear axle, suspension
• ◆ Servicing => Page 42-20
• Guide bearing
• ◆ Pressing out and pressing in
  
• Hexagon bolt, 75 Nm
• ◆ Always replace

• Axle beam
• ◆ Removing and installing
• ◆ Headlight range control was introduced at the start of MY 98 for vehicles with gas-discharge headlamps
• ◆ For vehicles with headlight range control, heed notes on removal and installation => Page 42-45
• ◆ Contact surface for wheel bearing/wheel hub and tapped holes must be free from paint and dirt
• ◆ Following installation, perform wheel alignment => Page 44-13

• Vibration damper

Note:

A new guide bearing was introduced for the A4 Avant (and Saloon), in combination with which there is no vibration damper at rear axle.

• Anti-roll bar shackle
• ◆ Fitting instructions =>Fig.2 and Fig.3
• Hexagon bolt, 20 Nm

Explanatory notes on factory codes (PR numbers)

At the start of MY 98, PR numbers were introduced to facilitate running gear/spring/shock absorber assignment.

The spring/shock absorber assembly installed in the vehicle can be seen from the corresponding PR number on the vehicle data sticker.

→ Example of vehicle data sticker

• ‒ - A - indicates PR no. for front axle
• ‒ - B - indicates PR no. for rear axle

The vehicle data sticker can be found in the spare wheel well and in the Service booklet.

The PR no. can be used to find the correct spring/shock absorber combination in the Parts List.

→ The PR no. for the different running gear versions can be seen from the Fig. - arrow -.

1BA = Standard running gear

1BB = Heavy-duty running gear (approx. 20 mm higher)

1BC = Special-purpose vehicles

1BD =Sports running gear (Audi S4)

RS4 = Sports running gear (RS4)

1BE = Sports running gear

1BV = Sports running gear (quattro GmbH)

1BQ = Sports running gear (South Africa)

1BT = Heavy-duty running gear (approx. 7 mm higher)

1BP = Heavy-duty running gear (trim position as for 1BA, however with limited bump travel)

→ Fig.1    Rough adjustment of rear axle

With bolts slackened off, slide rear axle as far as it will go in direction of travel and centre with the aid of two rules.

Perform wheel alignment => Page 44-13.

→ Fig.2    Fitting instructions for anti-roll bar shackle

• ‒ Press centre of anti-roll bar at axle beam -a- approx. 8 mm.

→ Fig.3    Fitting instructions for anti-roll bar shackle

• ‒ Place retaining strap around anti-roll bar and secure such that anti-roll bar shackle makes contact with anti-roll bar and axle beam (with fastener facing upwards).
• ‒ - Dimension a -100 mm
• ‒ Relieve load on anti-roll bar.

Note:

If, when replacing rear axle beam, locating holes -b- for anti-roll bar shackle have already been made in axle beam, use is to be made of these. Dimension -a- can then be ignored.