Exhaust System, Installing Without Tension

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2015 Audi S8, 2014 Audi S8, 2014 Audi A8 Quattro, 2013 Audi S8, and 2013 Audi A8. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Procedure

Align the exhaust system when cold.

Vehicles without Double Clamps Between Center and Rear Mufflers

Fig 1: Pressing Center Muffler Toward Front

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Loosen the screws on the front clamping sleeves.

-- Push the exhaust system far enough forward -arrow- until the pre-load on the retaining loops in front of the center muffler is -a- = 6 to 10 mm (0.236 to 0.393 in.).

-- Tighten the clamping sleeve threaded connections evenly.

Vehicles with Double Clamps Between Center and Rear Mufflers

Fig 2: Pressing Center Muffler Toward Front

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

NOTE:

The center muffler also needs to be aligned on vehicles with clamping sleeves between the center and rear mufflers.

-- Loosen the screws on the front and rear clamping sleeves.

-- Push the exhaust system far enough forward -arrow- until the pre-load on the retaining loops in front of the center muffler is -a- = 6 to 10 mm (0.236 to 0.393 in.).

-- Tighten the front clamping sleeve threaded connections evenly.

-- Push rear part of exhaust system far enough forward -arrow- so that the pretension at rear retaining loops of rear mufflers is -a- = 11 to 15 mm (0.039 to 0.590 in.).

Fig 3: Identifying Retaining Loop Pretension

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Align rear muffler horizontally.

-- Tighten the rear clamping sleeve threaded connections evenly.

Tightening Specifications

Refer to OVERVIEW - MUFFLER