Rear Axle Assembly: Installation

1. Install axle together with guide bushings into mounting brackets and install NEW bolts hand-tight. Install suspension struts and hand-tighten suspension strut to axle beam bolts.
2. Coat O-ring for ABS wheel speed sensor with brake cylinder paste. Push ABS wheel speed sensors into wheel bearing housings up to stop. See Fig 1. Install locking plates for ABS wheel speed sensors. Route parking brake cables and attach to brake calipers. Connect brake lines.
   Fig 1: Locating ABS Wheel Speed Sensor

   Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, INC.
3. Adjust parking brake. See DISC article in BRAKES.
4. Install heat shield. Bleed brakes. See DISC article in BRAKES.
CAUTION: Vehicle must be standing on its wheels when tightening guide bushing to rear axle bolts. Otherwise bonded rubber bushings will be subjected to torsion resulting in shortened service life.
5. Tighten guide bushing and strut-to-axle nuts and bolts with vehicle on the ground. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS .
6. Install cover under rear axle.

Align vehicle, if necessary. See SPECIFICATIONS & PROCEDURES article.