Instrument Panel Central Tube, Removing And Installing: Removing

Fig 1: Removing Instrument Panel Central Tube

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-- Remove the instrument panel. Refer to INSTRUMENT PANEL, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the steering column. Refer to STEERING COLUMN .

-- Disengage the left instrument panel central tube air ducts. Refer to HEATER AND A/C UNIT AIR INTAKE HOUSING, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the instrument panel vent air duct. Refer to INSTRUMENT PANEL VENTS AND REAR VENTS, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the left Fuse Panel C -SC- and the right Fuse Panel D -SD- from the instrument panel central tube. Refer to RELAY CARRIERS, FUSE PANELS AND E-BOXES .

-- Remove the Data Bus on Board Diagnostic Interface -J533- and set aside. Refer to OVERVIEW - DATA BUS ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC INTERFACE .

-- Remove the bolts -1- on the left and right of the central tube support and remove the bracket -2-.

-- Remove the left and right bolts -3- for the central tube support.

-- Remove the A/C unit bolt -1- on the left and right of the central tube support.

Fig 2: Removing A/C Unit Bolt

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-- Remove the middle defroster vent air duct. Refer to PLUGS, INSTALLING IN CENTER VENT AIR DUCT .

Fig 3: Removing A/C Unit Bolt -1, -- Remove Bolt -2- On Top Brace On Instrument Panel Central Tube.

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-- Remove the A/C unit bolt -1- on the instrument panel central tube top brace.

-- Remove the bolt -2- on the top brace on the instrument panel central tube.

-- Remove the ground wire and left ground point on the tunnel wall and free them up.

-- Disconnect the connectors on the accelerator pedal module and the brake light switch and free them up.

-- Remove the front right sill panel trim. Refer to SILL PANEL STRIP, REMOVING AND INSTALLING, FRONT SILL PANEL .

-- Disconnect the multi-pin connector at the right connector station on the A-pillar. Refer to OVERVIEW - INSTRUMENT PANEL RELAY CARRIER/FUSE CARRIER AND A-PILLAR RELAY CARRIER/FUSE CARRIER .

-- Disconnect the electrical connector on the fresh air blower and free up the wires.

-- Remove the air intake chamber bracket bolts -1- on the instrument panel central tube.

Fig 4: Removing Air Intake Chamber Bracket Bolts -1

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-- Remove the nut -2-.

-- Remove the bolt -1- and nut -2-.

Fig 5: Removing Bolt -1- And Nut -2

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-- Tighten the 2 nuts -2- and -3- on stud bolt on the driver side A-pillar -1- and remove the stud bolt.

Fig 6: Locating 2 Nuts -2- And -3- On Stud Bolt On Driver Side A-Pillar -1- And Remove Stud Bolt

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NOTE:

Two technicians are needed to remove instrument panel central tube.

-- Carefully pull the instrument panel central tube -1- up at the driver side while disengaging it from the A/C unit -3- and the upper -2- and lower -4- stop brackets.

Fig 7: Carefully Pull Instrument Panel Central Tube -1- Up At Driver Side While Disengaging It From A/C Unit -3- & Upper -2- & Lower -4- Stop Brackets

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Remove the instrument panel central tube from the threaded pin on the A-pillar on the front passenger side.

-- Carefully tilt the top side of the instrument panel central tube back while pulling it up.

-- Remove the instrument panel central tube from the vehicle interior.