Rear Cross-Member: Service and Repair
Subframe, removing and installing
Note:
^ 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, trapezoidal links, etc.).
^ Perform wheel alignment after completing repairs.
- Loosen collared bolt - arrow - only 90° with vehicle standing on its wheels, if you wish to remove components which require removal of collared bolt.
CAUTION!
The vehicle must be standing on its wheels when loosening and tightening the collared bolt.
- Risk of accident
Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required
^ Engine/transmission jack V.A.G 1383.
^ Spring compressor V.A.G 1752/1
^ Adapter V.A.G 1752/9
^ Spring retainers V.A.G 1752/16
^ Torque wrench V.A.G 1331
^ Torque wrench V.A.G 1332
^ Socket T40027
Removing
CAUTION!
Before LOOSENING subframe bolts, secure vehicle against tipping over (e.g. by placing a weight of approx. 50 kg in the luggage compartment).
Convertible only
- Remove diagonal braces - 1 - and - 2 -.
Continued for all vehicles
- Remove rear and side floor pan panels in front of subframe.
- Remove wheels.
- Secure brake discs with a wheel bolt.
- Remove rear section of exhaust system.
- Remove coil spring.
- Unbolt shock absorber from wheel bearing housing - 1 -.
Vehicles with comfort/heavy-duty suspension
- Remove stone shield from trapezoidal link.
Continued for all vehicles
- Unfasten bolts to remove parking brake cable from bracket below trapezoidal link.
- Remove brake caliper - arrows -. Use socket T40027.
Note:
^ Tie up brake caliper to body with wire.
^ Do not suspend the brake caliper from the brake hose.
- Remove wheel speed sensor and cable guide.
- On vehicles with headlight range control, disconnect connector from vehicle level sensor.
All wheel drive vehicles
- Remove drive shaft from rear final drive.
- Secure drive shaft to body with wire.
- Disconnect parking brake cables from fuel tank.
- Remove bolts - 2 - and remove shock absorber.
- Remove brake disc and splash plate.
Continued for all vehicles
- Apply engine/transmission jack V.A.G 1383 A with universal transmission support V.A.G 1359/2 and a suitable wooden block to subframe/final drive (illustration shows vehicle with front wheel drive).
- Tighten belt around subframe or final drive.
CAUTION!
Before LOOSENING 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 -.
Front wheel drive vehicles
- Place parking brake cable and brake caliper over transverse link.
- Lower subframe carefully. Guide subframe to prevent it from slipping.
All wheel drive vehicles
- Carefully lower subframe approx 15 cm. Guide subframe to prevent it from slipping.
- Push subframe to the left until right parking brake cable and brake caliper can be routed over transverse link.
Note:
^ Take care not to stretch brake hose.
- Push subframe to the right until left parking brake cable and brake caliper can be routed over transverse link.
- Lower subframe.
Installing
Note:
^ Replace bolts and self-locking nuts.
Installation of subframe in the body is performed in reverse sequence to removal.
- Center subframe by aligning four holes inside bushings with tapped holes in body.
- Install and tighten new subframe combi bolts.
All wheel drive vehicles
- Install brake disc splash plate.
- Install brake disc and secure with a wheel bolt.
- Bolt drive shaft to rear final drive.
- Attach shock absorber to body
- Attach parking brake cables to fuel tank.
Continued for all vehicles
- Install and align exhaust system.
- Connect connector for headlight range control to vehicle level sensor.
- Install speed sensor and cable guide
- Bolt brake caliper onto hub carrier or wheel bearing housing.
- Install parking brake cable with bracket under trapezoidal link and tighten bolts.
- Tighten shock absorber nut - 1 - initially to 20 Nm.
- Install coil spring.
Only if collared bolt has been loosened:
Always install a new collared bolt.
- On vehicles with all wheel drive, install 5 wheel bolts and tighten finger-tight. Apply parking brake firmly.
- Tighten collared bolt initially to specified torque, without turning further (front wheel drive) or (all wheel drive).
- Bonded rubber bushings can only be turned to a limited extent. The mountings of the suspension links must only be tightened when the suspension is in the curb weight position.
- Tighten bolt connection - 1 - (front wheel drive) or (all wheel drive), respectively.
- Install wheel and fasten.
Only if collared bolt has been loosened:
- Tighten collared bolt by turning through specified angle (front wheel drive), or (all wheel drive).
CAUTION!
The vehicle must be standing on its wheels when loosening and tightening the collared bolt.
- Risk of accident
- Install rear and side floor pan panels.
- Perform wheel alignment.
Wheel alignment must be performed on wheel alignment equipment recommended by Audi.
Vehicles with comfort/heavy-duty suspension
- Install stone shield and tighten bolts.
Convertible only
- Install diagonal braces - 1 - and - 2 -.