Rear Axle, Removing And Installing, Front Wheel Drive (Fwd) Vehicles

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Special tools and workshop equipment required

Torque Wrench 1331 5-50Nm VAG1331
Torque Wrench 1332 40-200Nm VAG1332
Engine/Gearbox Jack VAG1383A with Universal Transmission Support VAG1359/2
Tensioning Strap T10038
Two Wood Blocks

NOTE:

For a short period of time, All Wheel Drive (AWD) subframes were installed on Front Wheel Drive (FWD) vehicles. Performing repairs on the subframe is not affected.

Removing the Subframe and Attachments

Fig 1: Dimension From Center Of Wheel To Lower Edge Of Wheel Housing

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-- Determine dimension -a- from the center of the wheel to the lower edge of the wheel housing before starting work while the vehicle is resting on its wheels.

-- Place the vehicle on a hoist.

-- Remove the wheels.

-- Remove the coil springs. Refer to SPRING, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the rear muffler. Refer to EXHAUST PIPES/MUFFLERS for engine code CALA, EXHAUST PIPES/MUFFLERS for engine codes CAED, CAEB, CPMB, CPMA, or EXHAUST PIPES/MUFFLERS for engines CCBA, CGXC, CTUB .

-- Remove the left and right bolt -2- and the bracket with wires -1-.

Fig 2: Identifying Left, Right Bolt And Bracket With Wires

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-- Release the connector -1- from the Left Rear ABS Wheel Speed Sensor -G46- and Right Rear ABS Wheel Speed Sensor -G44- and remove it.

Fig 3: Releasing Connector From Left ABS Wheel Speed Sensor

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-- Disconnect the right and left electromechanical parking brake connectors -3-.

-- Disconnect the connector -5- from the Left Rear Level Control System Sensor -G76- and, if equipped, from the Right Rear Level Control System Sensor -G77-.

-- Remove the left wiring harness -4-, and if equipped, the right one as well.

-- If the vehicle has electronically controlled damping, disconnect the connector on the shock absorber and free up the wiring harness.

-- Release the retaining tabs -1- and remove the stone deflector -2-.

Fig 4: Identifying Retaining Tabs And Stone Deflector

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-- Remove the bolt -arrow- and washer.

Fig 5: Lower Shock Absorber Bolt And Washer

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-- Disconnect the threaded connection -1-.

Fig 6: Identifying Threaded Connection

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-- Remove the brake caliper. Refer to BRAKE CALIPER, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Guide the brake caliper past the wheel suspension and secure it on the body so the weight of the caliper does not stress or damage the brake hose or line.

-- Attach the upper transverse link to the wheel bearing housing by hand -1-.

-- Remove the diagonal braces on the A5 Cabriolet. Refer to DIAGONAL BRACE, REMOVING AND INSTALLING, A5 CABRIOLET, FRONT WHEEL DRIVE (FWD) .

-- Remove the covers -1- and -2-. Refer to OVERVIEW - UNDERBODY PANELS .

Fig 7: Identifying Stone Deflectors

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-- Install the stone deflectors -1- and -2-, if applicable.

Fig 8: Identifying Stone Deflectors

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WARNING:

Before -loosening- subframe bolts, secure vehicle from tipping over, for example, load the luggage compartment with approximately 50 kg.

-- Place the Engine/Gearbox Jack VAG1383A with Universal Support Plate VAG1359/2 below subframe and secure with the Tensioning Strap T10038.

Fig 9: Support Back Of Subframe Using A Suitable Wood Block

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-- Support the back of the subframe -1- using a suitable wood block -2-.

-- Support the front of the subframe -4- using a suitable wood block -3-.

-- Guide the Tensioning Strap T10038 between the subframe and plastic reservoir.

-- Route Tensioning Strap T10038 under the Universal Transmission Support VAG1359/2 and tighten it.

-- Remove the left and right bolts -1- and -2-.

Fig 10: Identifying Left And Right Bolts

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-- Remove the left and right supports -3-.

-- Remove bolts -arrows-.

Fig 11: Subframe Position & Bolts

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Before lowering the subframe, make sure all the electrical wiring connections have been disconnected and removed.

-- Carefully lower the subframe with attachments while being careful of the brake calipers and its lines.

Subframe with Attachments, Installing

Installation is the reverse of removal, with special attention to the following:

Tightening specifications. Refer to OVERVIEW - SUBFRAME .

Tightening specifications. Refer to OVERVIEW - WHEEL BEARING, VEHICLES WITH FRONT WHEEL DRIVE (FWD) .

NOTE:

Bonded rubber bushings can only be turned to a limited extent. Only tighten suspension screws when vehicle is in curb weight or control position.

Wheel bearing, lifting to curb weight position on vehicles with coil springs. Refer to WHEEL BEARING IN CURB WEIGHT, REAR AXLE, LIFTING VEHICLES WITH COIL SPRING

-- The center of the subframe mount holes must be aligned to the bolting points on the body.

Only for A4

Fig 12: Center Of Subframe Mount Holes Must Be Aligned To Bolting Points On Body

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- If the vehicle has the subframe from the All Wheel Drive (AWD), then align the subframe so that the dimension -a- is 19 mm on vehicles without a stone protection plate, and dimension -b- is 14 mm on vehicles with a stone protection plate.

Continuation for all Vehicles

NOTE:

Only install the coil springs when the subframe bolts have been tightened to the specification.

-- Tighten the wheel. Refer to WHEEL BOLT TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS .

-- An axle alignment may be required. Refer to EVALUATING NEED FOR AXLE ALIGNMENT .

The axle alignment on the front and rear axles must be performed on a VW/Audi approved alignment rack.