Audi Workshop Service and Repair Manuals

Special tools and workshop equipment required

• ◆ Engine/gearbox lifter V.A.G 1383 A

• ◆ Suspension strut tensioner V.A.G 1752

Safety precautions

Extremely high forces occur when tensioning springs. Particular attention is therefore to be paid to the following safety precautions.

Removing

Note:

The following description relates to the left spring. The right spring is removed in the same manner.

• ‒ Remove rear wheel.
• ‒ → Fit spring holders V.A.G 1752/4 at spring tensioner V.A.G 1752/1.

• ‒ → Insert spring tensioner V.A.G 1752/1 with spring holder V.A.G 1752/4 in coil spring.

• ‒ → Turn spindle of spring tensioner until spring is slightly tensioned.

• Check whether spring holders are properly positioned at spring windings.

• ‒ Halt tensioning process at the latest when spring windings make contact.

• ‒ → Unclip speed sensor wire from holder.
• ‒ Open cover -2- for connector -1-.
• ‒ Pull speed sensor out of trailing arm.
• ‒ Disengage headlight range control unit .

• ‒ Use engine/gearbox lifter V.A.G 1383 A and universal mount V.A.G 1359/2 to raise wheel bearing housing slightly.

• ‒ → Screw out bolt -arrow-.
• ‒ Slowly lower engine/gearbox lifter again.
• ‒ Take out spring with spring tensioner.

Installing

• ‒ Insert spring in spring holders.
• ‒ Turn spindle of spring tensioner until spring is slightly tensioned.

• Check whether spring holders are properly positioned at spring windings.

• ‒ Halt tensioning process at the latest when spring windings make contact.

→ Installation position of spring

For vehicles with no stop at buffer stop -2-

• ‒ Start of spring winding -3- must be in 9o'clock position

•     1 -    Spring
•     F -    Direction of travel

For vehicles with stop at buffer stop -2-

• ‒ Start of spring winding must make contact with stop -arrow-

• ‒ Slacken off spring by turning spindle anti-clockwise.
• ‒ → Whilst slackening off, check correct installation position of spring.

• Never use impact screwdriver or the like.

Spring holders will become jammed in spring if spindle is turned too far.

• ‒ Take spring tensioner out of spring.

Perform further installation in reverse order, paying attention to the following:

Note:

→ If necessary, unscrew connecting link -arrow- from anti-roll bar. Lower damper bolt is then easier to fit.

Tightening torques

    1)    Replace bolts and nuts

Bolted joints with bonded rubber bushes must be tightened when vehicle is standing on its wheels.