Subframe, removing and installing

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 17 other vehicles, including the 2009 Audi S4, 2009 Audi A4, 2008 Audi S4, 2008 Audi RS 4, and 2008 Audi A4. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

NOTE:

The procedure steps show you how you can remove the subframe as a complete unit (that is, with rear final drive, stub axle carrier/wheel bearing housing, trapezoidal control arm).
Align vehicle after repair → Wheel alignment .

Fig 1: Wheel Hex Bolt

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Loosen collar bolt - arrow - only 90° on vehicle resting on wheels if you want to remove components that require removal of collar bolt.

CAUTION: When loosening and tightening collar bolt, vehicle must stand on wheels.

-Risk of accident-

Special tools, testers and auxiliary items required

Fig 2: Identifying Engine/Transmission Jack V.A.G. 1383 A

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Engine/transmission jack V.A.G 1383 A

Fig 3: Spring Compressor Kit V.A.G 1752

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Spring compressor V.A.G 1752/1
Adapter V.A.G 1752/9
Spring holder A4, rear axle V.A.G 1752/16
Torque wrench V.A.G 1331

Torque wrench V.A.G 1332
Bit XZN 18 T40027

Removing

CAUTION: Before -LOOSENING- subframe bolts, secure vehicle against tipping over (e.g. load luggage compartment with approx. 50 kg).

Convertible only

Fig 4: Identifying Diagonal Braces

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Remove diagonal braces - 1 - and - 2 - → Diagonal braces .

Continued for all vehicles

Remove rear and side underbody trim in front of subframe.
Dismount tires.
Secure brake discs with a wheel bolt.
Remove rear portion of exhaust system. →
- 26 - EXHAUST SYSTEM, EMISSION CONTROLS for 1.8 LITER 4-CYL. 5V TURBO ENGINE MECHANICAL, ENGINE CODE(S): AMB
- 26 - EXHAUST SYSTEM, EMISSION CONTROLS for 2.0 LITER 4-CYL. 4V TURBO ENGINE MECHANICAL, ENGINE CODE(S): BPG, BWT
- 26 EXHAUST SYSTEM, EMISSION CONTROLS for 3.0 LITER 6-CYL. 5V ENGINE MECHANICAL, ENGINE CODE(S): AVK, BGN
- 26 - EXHAUST SYSTEM, EMISSION CONTROLS for 3.2 V6 4V ENGINE MECHANICAL, ENGINE CODE(S): BKH
- 26 - EXHAUST SYSTEM, EMISSION CONTROLS for 4.2 LITER V8 4V ENGINE MECHANICAL, ENGINE CODE(S): BNS
- 26 - EXHAUST SYSTEM, EMISSION CONTROLS for 4.2 LITER V8 5V ENGINE MECHANICAL, ENGINE CODE(S): BHF

Fig 5: Identifying Spring Compressor V.A.G 1752/1 With Adapter V.A.G 1752/9 And Spring Holder A4, Rear Axle V.A.G 1752/16 In Coil Spring

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Remove coil spring → Rear coil spring .

Fig 6: Removing/Installing Strut Nut & Bolts

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Remove strut from wheel bearing housing - 1 -.

Vehicles with heavy duty suspension

Remove stone protection from trapezoidal control arm.

Continued for all vehicles

Disengage parking brake cable from bracket under trapezoidal control arm. To do this, loosen bolts.

Fig 7: Removing Brake Caliper

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Remove brake caliper - arrows -. To do so, use socket insert T40027.

NOTE:

Secure brake caliper to body with wire.
Do not allow brake caliper to hang from brake line.

Remove speed sensor and cable guide Speed sensor wire routing on trapezoidal control arm
On vehicles with headlight range control, remove connector from level control system sensor.

Vehicles with all-wheel drive

Remove drive shaft from rear final drive. →39 - FINAL DRIVE, DIFFERENTIAL
Secure drive shaft to body with wire.
Disengage parking brake cable at fuel tank.

Fig 8: Removing/Installing Strut Nut & Bolts

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Remove bolts - 2 - and remove strut.
Remove brake disc and brake disc cover.

Continued for all vehicles

Fig 9: Positioning Engine And Transmission Jack V.A.G 1383 A With Universal Transmission Support V.A.G 1359/2 And Corresponding Wooden Block At Subframe Or Final Drive

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Position engine and transmission jack V.A.G 1383 A with universal transmission support V.A.G 1359/2 and a corresponding wooden block at subframe or final drive (Fig. for vehicles with front wheel drive).
Tighten band around subframe or final drive.

CAUTION: Before -LOOSENING- subframe bolts, secure vehicle against tipping over (e.g. load luggage compartment with approx. 50 kg).

Remove subframe bolts - arrows -.

Vehicles with front wheel drive

Lay parking brake cable with brake caliper over transverse link.
Carefully lower subframe. Guide subframe so it does not shift.

Vehicles with all-wheel drive

Carefully lower subframe approx. 15 cm. Guide subframe so it does not shift.
Slide subframe left so that right parking brake cable with brake caliper can be laid over transverse link.

NOTE:

Ensure brake hose is not stretched.

Slide subframe right so that left parking brake cable with brake caliper can be laid over transverse link.
Lower subframe.

Installing

NOTE:

Replace bolts and self-locking nuts → Notes in exploded view diagrams at → Part I, Subframe - front wheel drive .

Installation of subframe occurs in reverse order of removal.

Center subframe over four bearing holes to body.
Install new subframe bolts and washers and tighten → Part I, Subframe - front wheel drive , and (front wheel drive) or and (all wheel drive).

Vehicles with all-wheel drive

Install brake disc cover. → 46 - BRAKES - MECHANICAL COMPONENTS
Install brake disc and secure with wheel bolt.
Install drive shaft to rear final drive. →39 - FINAL DRIVE, DIFFERENTIAL
Install strut on body.

Engage parking brake cable at fuel tank.

Continued for all vehicles

Install and align exhaust system →
- 26 - EXHAUST SYSTEM, EMISSION CONTROLS for 1.8 LITER 4-CYL. 5V TURBO ENGINE MECHANICAL, ENGINE CODE(S): AMB
- 26 - EXHAUST SYSTEM, EMISSION CONTROLS for 2.0 LITER 4-CYL. 4V TURBO ENGINE MECHANICAL, ENGINE CODE(S): BPG, BWT
- 26 EXHAUST SYSTEM, EMISSION CONTROLS for 3.0 LITER 6-CYL. 5V ENGINE MECHANICAL, ENGINE CODE(S): AVK, BGN
- 26 - EXHAUST SYSTEM, EMISSION CONTROLS for 3.2 V6 4V ENGINE MECHANICAL, ENGINE CODE(S): BKH
- 26 - EXHAUST SYSTEM, EMISSION CONTROLS for 4.2 LITER V8 4V ENGINE MECHANICAL, ENGINE CODE(S): BNS
- 26 - EXHAUST SYSTEM, EMISSION CONTROLS for 4.2 LITER V8 5V ENGINE MECHANICAL, ENGINE CODE(S): BHF
Place headlight range control connector on level control system sensor.
Install speed sensor and cable guide Speed sensor wire routing on trapezoidal control arm
Secure brake caliper to stub axle carrier or wheel bearing housing. → 46 - BRAKES - MECHANICAL COMPONENTS

Install parking brake cable with bracket below trapezoidal control arm and tighten bolts.

Fig 10: Removing/Installing Strut Nut & Bolts

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

First tighten strut nut - 1 - to 20 Nm.
Install coil spring → Rear coil spring .

Only when you have loosed collar bolt:

Always use a new collar bolt!

On vehicles with all wheel drive, install 5 wheel bolts hand tight and apply parking brake.
Tighten collar bolt to specified torque without additional turning (front wheel drive) or (all wheel drive).
Bonded rubber bushings have a limited torsional range. Only tighten threaded connections at links if vehicle is in curb weight position → Wheel bearing, lifting to curb weight position
Tighten connection - 1 - , (front wheel drive) or (all wheel drive).

Mount wheel and tighten. This information is contained in AESIS; Library; Additional Information; Wheels and Tire Guide

Only when you have loosed collar screw:

Tighten collar screw with specified additional turning (front wheel drive) or (all wheel drive).

CAUTION: When loosening and tightening collar bolt, vehicle must stand on wheels.

-risk of accident-

Install rear and side underbody trim.
Perform vehicle alignment → Wheel alignment .

Alignment must take place on a VW/Audi recommended alignment stand.

Vehicles with heavy duty suspension

Install stone protection and tighten bolts ,

Convertible only

Fig 11: Identifying Diagonal Braces

Courtesy of VOLKSWAGEN UNITED STATES, INC.

Install diagonal braces - 1 - and - 2 - → Diagonal braces .