Instrument Panel Central Tube, Removing And Installing: Removing

WARNING: This page is about a different variant/trim than selected.

-- 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 appropriate service information. .

-- Remove the instrument panel vent air duct. Refer to appropriate service information. .

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

-- Remove the Data Bus on Board Diagnostic Interface -J533- and set aside. Refer to CONTROL MODULES .

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

Fig 1: Removing Instrument Panel Central Tube

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- 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: Remove A/C Unit Bolt

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Remove the middle defroster vent air duct. Refer to appropriate service information .

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

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

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

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

-- Remove the right lower A-pillar trim. Refer to A-PILLAR TRIM PANEL, REMOVING AND INSTALLING, A-PILLAR LOWER TRIM PANEL .

-- Disconnect the multi-pin connector at the right connector station on the A-pillar. Refer to RELAY PANELS, FUSE PANELS AND E-BOXES .

-- 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: Remove Air Intake Chamber Bracket Bolts -1

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Remove the nut -2-.

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

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

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Tighten the 2 nuts -2 and 3- on the threaded pin -1- on the driver side A-pillar and remove the threaded pin.

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

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

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.