SUBFRAME, Removing And Installing

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Special tools and workshop equipment required

Tensioning Strap T10038
Torque Wrench 1331 5-50 Nm VAG 1331
Torque Wrench 1332 40-200 Nm VAG 1332
Engine and Gearbox Jack VAS 6931

Removing the Subframe and Attachments

NOTE:

For later assembly work where the drive axle/stub axle to wheel hub threaded connection must be loosened, note that it must be done while the vehicle is resting on its wheels. Loosen the drive axle/stub axle to wheel hub threaded connection, refer to DRIVE AXLE THREADED CONNECTION, LOOSENING AND TIGHTENING .

-- Place the vehicle on a hoist, refer to RAISING AND LOWERING WITH OPEN AND CLOSED AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM .

-- Vent the air spring damper on the rear axle. Start the program on the Vehicle Diagnostic Tester in "Guided Functions".

-- Secure the vehicle to the hoist lifting arms -arrow B- with the Tensioning Strap T10038 over the striker pin -arrow A-.

Fig 1: Identifying Tensioning Strap T10038

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Place a piece of foam rubber -2- between the sill panel and the Tensioning Strap T10038 and then tension the Tensioning Strap T10038.

NOTE:

Be careful not to scratch the sill panel.

CAUTION:

The vehicle could fall off the hoist if it is not secured.

-- Remove the wheels, refer to WHEELS AND TIRES .

-- Remove the rear muffler, refer to EXHAUST PIPES/MUFFLERS (3.0L - CREC and CREA), EXHAUST PIPES/MUFFLERS (3.0L - CPNA), EXHAUST PIPES/MUFFLERS (3.0L - CTUB), EXHAUST PIPES/MUFFLERS (4.0L - CEUA, CGTA, CTFA and CTGA) or EXHAUST PIPES/MUFFLERS (6.3L - CEJA and CTNA) .

Applies to Vehicles with AWD

-- Remove the propshaft from the rear final drive, refer to REAR FINAL DRIVE 0BC, 0BD, 0BE & 0BF or REAR FINAL DRIVE 0BF & 0BE .

-- Secure the propshaft -3- to the body -2- using a wire -1-.

Fig 2: Identifying Secured Driveshaft

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-- Push the rear propshaft as far as possible toward the transmission.

-- If the vehicles as a Sport differential, remove the bolts -arrows- and remove the bracket -1- from the rear final drive.

Fig 3: Identifying Rear Final Drive Wiring Harness Bracket

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

NOTE:

Mark the connectors -2- for the oil pressure/temperature sensor and on the clutch valves.

-- Mark the connectors -2- on the oil pressure/temperature sensors and on the clutch valves.

-- Disconnect the connector -4- from the All Wheel Drive Pump -V415-.

-- Unclip the wiring harness -3- from the final drive and the subframe -5- through -7- and tie it up.

Continuation for All

-- 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 4: Identifying Connector, Right Bolts & Bracket

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-- Remove the left and right bolt -2- and the bracket with wires -3-, if equipped.

-- Free up the wiring harness.

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

Fig 5: Identifying Bolt And Bracket

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

NOTE:

Ignore item -3-.

-- Disconnect and remove the connector -1- from the Left Rear Level Control System Sensor -G76- and from the Right Rear Level Control System Sensor -G77-.

Fig 6: Identifying Connector & Wiring Harness

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Unclip the left and right wiring harness -2- from the subframe -arrow-.

-- Remove the right and left bolt -1- on the coupling rod for the vehicle level sensor from the lower transverse link.

Fig 7: Identifying Bolt -1-, Harness Connector -2- & Screws -3-

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-- Remove the bolt -1- and remove the air spring damper -2- from the wheel bearing housing using a pry lever.

Fig 8: Identifying Bolt And Air Spring Damper

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CAUTION:

The connection between the air spring damper and the wheel bearing housing is under tension.

When prying air spring damper off the wheel bearing housing, there is a danger of getting injured because the wheel bearing housing will be pushed up very quickly.

-- Remove the brake calipers, refer to [For engine(s) CDRA, CTUB, CEUA, CGTA, CPNA, CEJA] Front Brakes .

-- Remove the cover -1- and -2-, refer to UNDERBODY TRIM PANELS, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

Fig 9: Identifying Cover

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-- Remove the rear wheel spoiler -1-, refer to Wheel Housing Liner .

Fig 10: Identifying Rear Wheel Spoiler

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-- Remove the stone chip protective molding -1- through -3-, if equipped.

Fig 11: Identifying Stone Chip Protective Molding

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-- Move the Engine and Gearbox Jack VAS 6931 under the subframe and secure it using the Tensioning Strap T10038.

-- Support the rear final drive -1- or the rear subframe with a suitable piece of wood -2-.

Fig 12: Placing V.A.G 1383 A With V.A.G 1359/2 Under Subframe

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Support front of subframe with a suitable wood block -4- under crossmember -3-.

-- Secure the subframe to the Engine and Gearbox Jack VAS 6931 using the Tensioning Strap T10038.

-- Tie the Tensioning Strap T10038 around the subframe.

-- Place the Tensioning Strap T10038 underneath the engine and gearbox jack mounting plate and tighten.

-- Remove the bolts -1- through -4- one after the other from the subframe and install the Subframe Locating Pins T40242, refer to SUBFRAME, SECURING .

Fig 13: Locating Bolts

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- 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:

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.

Lift wheel bearing in control position, refer to WHEEL BEARING IN CONTROL POSITION, LIFTING VEHICLES WITH AIR SUSPENSION .

-- Tighten the wheel, refer to WHEELS AND TIRES .

-- Lower the vehicle onto its wheels, refer to RAISING AND LOWERING WITH OPEN AND CLOSED AIR SUSPENSION SYSTEM .

-- Axle alignment is required, refer to the table in EVALUATING NEED FOR AXLE ALIGNMENT .

If the subframe was removed and installed again, then the control position must be programmed again on vehicles with air suspension. Start the program on the Vehicle Diagnostic Tester in "Guided Functions".
It is necessary to reprogram the control position on vehicles with air suspension if the vehicle level sensor or the linkage on the vehicle level sensor was loosened during installation. Start the program using the Vehicle Diagnostic Tester in "Guided Functions".
If the control position was reprogrammed on vehicles with lane assist, the Camera Control Module -J852- must be calibrated again, refer to DRIVER ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS FRONT CAMERA, CALIBRATING .

Tightening Specifications