Overview - Wheel Bearing, Vehicles With All Wheel Drive (AWD)

Fig 1: Identifying Wheel Bearing Housing, Wheel Bearing Unit And Coil Spring Shock Absorber Overview

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

1. Drive Axle
   • There are different versions.
2. Locking Plate
3. Bolt
   • Tightening specification. Refer to DRIVE AXLE .
4. Upper Transverse Link
5. Nut
   • 95 Nm
   • Always replace if removed
   • Must be tightened in the curb weight position. Refer to WHEEL BEARING IN CURB WEIGHT, REAR AXLE, LIFTING VEHICLES WITH COIL SPRING .
6. Eccentric Washer
7. Bolt
8. Bracket
   • For the brake hose, brake caliper wiring harness and rear wheel speed sensor -- wiring harness
9. Bolt
   • 10 Nm
10. Rear ABS wheel speed sensor --
11. Bolt
    • 9 Nm
12. Bonded Rubber Bushing
    • Cannot be replaced separately
13. Ball Bearing
    CAUTION:

    • Avoid contaminating with dirt and damaging the seal when setting down/storing. Refer to Fig 2.
    • Wheel bearing unit, removing and installing. Refer to WHEEL BEARING UNIT, ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD), REMOVING AND INSTALLING .
    • For servicing the wheel bearing unit. Refer to WHEEL BEARING UNIT, SERVICING .
14. Wheel Hub
    CAUTION:

    • Avoid contaminating with dirt and damaging the seal when setting down/storing. Refer to Fig 2.
    • Wheel bearing unit, removing and installing. Refer to WHEEL BEARING UNIT, ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD), REMOVING AND INSTALLING .
    • For servicing the wheel bearing unit. Refer to WHEEL BEARING UNIT, SERVICING .
15. Brake Shield
16. Bolt
    • 10 Nm
17. Brake Rotor
18. Collar Screw
    • 200 Nm +180°
    • Always replace if removed
19. Bolt
    • 5 Nm
20. Tie Rod
    • There are versions made of aluminum and steel.
    • A mixed installation is not permitted
21. Bolt
    • 90 Nm +90°
    • Always replace if removed
    • Must be tightened in the curb weight position. Refer to WHEEL BEARING IN CURB WEIGHT, REAR AXLE, LIFTING VEHICLES WITH COIL SPRING .
22. Bolt
    • 120 Nm +360°
    • Always replace if removed
    • Must be tightened in the curb weight position. Refer to WHEEL BEARING IN CURB WEIGHT, REAR AXLE, LIFTING VEHICLES WITH COIL SPRING .
      NOTE:

      Axle alignment is necessary if the bolt is removed.

23. Spacer Tube
    • Always replace if removed
24. Nut
    • Always replace if removed
      CAUTION:

      • Do not tighten the threaded connection using the nut.
      NOTE:

      Axle alignment is necessary if the nut is loosened.

25. Lower Transverse Link
26. Bonded Rubber Bushing
    • Replacing. Refer to WHEEL BEARING HOUSING RUBBER BONDED BUSHING, REMOVING AND INSTALLING, ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD) VEHICLES .
27. Wheel Bearing Housing
    • Removing and installing. Refer to WHEEL BEARING HOUSING, ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD), REMOVING AND INSTALLING .
28. Bolt
    • 80 Nm +90°
    • Always replace if removed
29. Washer
    • Serves as corrosion protection
    • Always use
30. Bolt
    • 150 Nm +180°
    • Always replace if removed
    • Must be tightened in the curb weight position. Refer to WHEEL BEARING IN CURB WEIGHT, REAR AXLE, LIFTING VEHICLES WITH COIL SPRING .
31. Shock Absorber
    • Removing and installing. Refer to SHOCK ABSORBER, ALL WHEEL DRIVE (AWD), REMOVING AND INSTALLING .
32. Protective Sleeve
33. Stop Buffer
34. Bolt
    • 50 Nm +45°
    • Always replace if removed
35. Upper Shock Absorber Mount
    • Installed position. Refer to SHOCK ABSORBER, FRONT WHEEL DRIVE (FWD), SERVICING 
36. Nut
    • 35 Nm
    • Always replace if removed
37. Protective Cap

Fig 2: Avoid Contaminating With Dirt And Damaging Seal When Setting Down/Storing

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

• The wheel bearing -1- must always face up.
• Always set the wheel bearing down on the wheel hub -2-.

• Never reach into the inside when lifting the wheel bearing.
  Fig 3: Correct & Incorrect Holding Of Wheel Bearing

  Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC
• Hold the wheel bearing only on the outside.

The same procedure also applies to the wheel bearing without a wheel hub.