Audi Workshop Service and Repair Manuals

Removing and installing subframe   Note t  The following steps describe the procedure for removing the subframe as a complete unit (i.e. including rear final drive, hub carriers/wheel bearing housings, trapezium links, etc.). t  Check and adjust wheel alignment after completing repair → Chapter.

–  If necessary for removal of components, loosen flange bolt -arrow- only 90° with vehicle standing on its wheels.   WARNING The vehicle must be standing on its wheels when loosening and tightening the flange bolt. -Accident risk- Special tools and workshop equipment required

t  Engine and gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A-

t  Spring compressor -V.A.G 1752/1- t  Adapter -V.A.G 1752/9- t  Rear axle spring retainers (A4) -V.A.G 1752/16- t  Torque wrench -V.A.G 1331- t  Torque wrench -V.A.G 1332- t  Socket -T40027- Removing   WARNING BEFORE slackening subframe bolts, secure vehicle against tipping over (e.g. by placing a weight of approx. 50 kg in the luggage compartment).

Cabriolet models only –  Remove diagonal struts -1- and -2- → Chapter.

All vehicles (continued): –  Remove underbody trim (rear and side) in front of subframe. –  Remove wheels. –  Secure brake discs with one wheel bolt each. –  Remove rear section of exhaust system. → Engine, mechanics; Rep. Gr. 26; Removing and installing exhaust system components –  Remove coil spring → Chapter.

–  Unbolt shock absorber from wheel bearing housing -1-. Vehicles with heavy-duty suspension –  Remove stone deflector from trapezium link. All vehicles (continued): –  Loosen bolts and detach handbrake cable from bracket below trapezium link.

–  Unbolt brake caliper -arrows-. Use the socket -T40027-.   Note t  Tie up brake caliper to body with wire. t  Do not suspend the brake caliper from the brake hose. –  Detach wheel speed sensor and wiring guide → Fig.. –  On vehicles with headlight range control, detach connector from vehicle level sender. Vehicles with four-wheel drive –  Unbolt propshaft from rear final drive. → Rear final drive 01R; Rep. Gr. 39; Servicing propshaft; Removing and installing propshaft –  Secure propshaft to body with wire. –  Detach handbrake cables from fuel tank.

–  Remove bolts -2- and take out shock absorber. –  Remove brake disc and splash plate.

All vehicles (continued): –  Apply engine/gearbox jack -V.A.G 1383 A- with universal gearbox support -V.A.G 1359/2- and a suitable wooden block to subframe/final drive (illustration shows vehicle with front-wheel drive). –  Wind strap around subframe/final drive.   WARNING BEFORE slackening subframe bolts, secure vehicle against tipping over (e.g. by placing a weight of approx. 50 kg in the luggage compartment). –  Remove subframe bolts -arrows-. Vehicles with front-wheel drive –  Place handbrake cable and brake caliper over transverse link. –  Lower subframe carefully. Guide subframe to prevent it slipping. Vehicles with four-wheel drive –  Carefully lower subframe approx 15 cm. Guide subframe to prevent it slipping. –  Push subframe to the left until right handbrake cable and brake caliper can be routed over transverse link.   Note Take care not to stretch and damage brake hose. –  Push subframe to the right until left handbrake cable and brake caliper can be routed over transverse link. –  Lower subframe. Installing   Note Renew bolts and self-locking nuts ⇒ instructions in exploded views from → Chapter onwards. Installation of the subframe in the body is performed in reverse sequence to removal. –  Centralise subframe by aligning four holes inside bushes with tapped holes in body. –  Install and tighten new subframe bolts with new washers → Chapter, → Item and → Item (front-wheel drive), or → Item and → Item (four-wheel drive). Vehicles with four-wheel drive –  Install brake disc splash plate. → Brake system; Rep. Gr. 46; Rear brakes type C38; Servicing brake caliper –  Install brake disc and secure with one wheel bolt. –  Bolt propshaft to rear final drive. → Rear final drive 01R; Rep. Gr. 39; Servicing propshaft; Removing and installing propshaft –  Attach shock absorber to body → Item –  Attach handbrake cables to fuel tank. All vehicles (continued): –  Install and align exhaust system → Engine, mechanics; Rep. Gr. 26; Removing and installing exhaust system components. –  Attach connector for headlight range control to vehicle level sender. –  Install speed sensor and wiring guide → Fig.. –  Bolt brake caliper onto hub carrier or wheel bearing housing. → Brake system; Rep. Gr. 46; Rear brakes type C38; Servicing brake caliper –  Attach handbrake cable with bracket under trapezium link and tighten bolts → Item.

–  Tighten shock absorber nut -1- initially to 20 Nm. –  Install coil spring → Chapter. Only if flange bolt has been loosened: Always install a new flange bolt. –  On vehicles with four-wheel drive, fit 5 wheel bolts and tighten finger-tight. Apply handbrake firmly. –  Tighten flange bolt initially only to specified torque, without turning further → Item (front-wheel drive) or → Item (four-wheel drive). –  Bonded rubber bushes can only be turned to a limited extent. The mountings of the suspension links must therefore only be tightened when the suspension is in the unladen position → Chapter. –  Tighten bolt connection -1- → Item (front-wheel drive) or → Item (four-wheel drive). –  Fit and secure wheel → Wheels and tyres; Rep. Gr.44. Only if flange bolt has been loosened: –  Tighten flange bolt by turning further through specified angle → Item (front-wheel drive), or → Item (four-wheel drive).   WARNING The vehicle must be standing on its wheels when loosening and tightening the flange bolt. -Accident risk- –  Install underbody trim (rear and side). –  Check and adjust wheel alignment → Chapter. Wheel alignment must always be checked and adjusted if necessary using VW/Audi-approved equipment. Vehicles with heavy-duty suspension –  Install stone deflector and tighten bolts → Item. Cabriolet models only

–  Install diagonal struts -1- and -2- → Chapter.