Exhaust System, Installing Without Tension

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