Subframe With Steering Gear, Removing And Installing: Removing

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

-- For vehicles with an air suspension system, bleed the air suspension system, refer to SYSTEM, VENTING OR FILLING .

-- Remove the engine cover.

-- Support the engine completely using the Engine Support Bridge, refer to FOR ENGINE(S) CTUA & CGXB - ENGINE, SUPPORTING IN INSTALLED POSITION , FOR ENGINE(S) CPNB - ENGINE, SUPPORTING IN INSTALLED POSITION or FOR ENGINE(S) CEUC & CRDB - ENGINE, SUPPORTING IN INSTALLED POSITION .

-- Remove the front wheels.

-- Remove the noise insulation -1 and 2-, refer to NOISE INSULATION, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

Fig 1: Identifying Noise Insulations

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-- Remove the left and right front wheel housing liners, refer to FRONT WHEEL HOUSING LINER, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

Fig 2: Identifying Front Wheel Housing Liner

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-- Remove the nuts -3- and remove the cover -2- (if equipped) from the right and left drive axle.

Fig 3: Drive Axle Cover & Nuts

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-- Tip the top of the cover -2- toward the outside and guide it downward by the seam -1-.

-- Remove the left and right wheel spoiler, refer to FRONT WHEEL SPOILER, REMOVING AND INSTALLING, AUDI A7/S7 or FRONT WHEEL SPOILER, REMOVING AND INSTALLING, AUDI RS7 .

Fig 4: Front Wheel Spoiler & Fasteners

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-- Disconnect the left and right connector -1- from the vehicle level sensor (if equipped) and remove the clip -arrow-.

Fig 5: Identifying Left And Right Connector

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-- Remove the right and left clamps for the vehicle level sensor wires from the subframe.

-- Remove the connector -1- for the vehicle signals (CAN bus and terminal 15) from the Power Steering Control Module -J500-.

Fig 6: Power Steering Control Module & Connectors

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-- Release the safety mechanism -arrow-, push the retainer downward and disconnect the connector -2- for the voltage (terminal 30) from the Power Steering Control Module -J500-.

-- Free up the clip -arrow-, disconnect the connector -1- and free up the electric wire.

Fig 7: Identifying Connector

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-- Remove the remaining clips -arrows- on the crossbrace and free up the wiring harness.

Fig 8: Crossbrace & Fasteners

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-- Open the clip -arrow- on the left rear subframe and free up the wiring harness.

Fig 9: Left Rear Subframe Clip

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-- Turn the steering wheel so that the wheels are in the straight-ahead position and then tape it secure -arrow- so that it cannot turn.

Fig 10: Taping Steering Wheel

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-- Remove the bolt -arrow-.

Fig 11: Identifying Steering Intermediate Shaft & Bolt

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-- Remove the universal joint -1- from the steering gear -2- and support the steering intermediate shaft so that it cannot fall.

-- Remove the right and left nuts -1- and bolts -2- and remove the heat shield upper section -3-.

Fig 12: Heat Shield Upper Section Nuts & Bolts

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-- If equipped remove the Transmission Fluid Cooling Valve -N509-, refer to TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLING VALVE -N509-, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- For vehicles with an intermediate flange -1-, remove the bolts -2 and 3- and free up the intermediate flange with the hoses still connected.

Fig 13: Intermediate Flange & Bolts

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-- Tie up the left and right wheel bearing housings using the Tensioning Strap T10083 -1-, as illustrated.

Fig 14: Securing Wheel Bearing Housings

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-- Remove the left and right control arms, refer to CONTROL ARM, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the nut from the left and right guide link joint pins enough so it is flush with the joint pin threads. Counterhold the joint pins if necessary.

Fig 15: Pressing Guide Link Joint Pin Off Conical Seat

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-- Press the guide link joint pin off the conical seat using the Puller - Ball Joint T40042.

-- Separate the left and right guide link from the wheel bearing housing. Be careful not to damage the CV boot on the guide link joint pin.

-- Remove the threaded connector -1- for the right and left coupling rods on the shock absorber fork.

Fig 16: Identifying Coupling Rod And Bolts

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-- Disconnect and free up the connectors -1- for the Right Electrohydraulic Engine Mount Solenoid Valve -N145- and -2- and for the Left Electrohydraulic Engine Mount Solenoid Valve -N144-.

Fig 17: Identifying Right And Left Electrohydraulic Engine Mount Solenoid Valve Connectors

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Applies to Audi RS6 

Fig 18: Identifying Coolant Pipe & Fastener

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-- Remove the nut -arrow-, free up the coolant pipe -1- and push it slightly to the side.

-- Remove the bolt -arrow- and free up the wiring harness.

Fig 19: Identifying Bolt

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Applies to Vehicles with a 6- or 8-Cylinder Engine 

Fig 20: Lower Front Longitudinal Member & Bolts

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-- Remove the bolts -arrows- and the left lower front longitudinal member -1-.

-- Remove the nuts and bolts -arrows- and free up the Ground (GND) cable -1- and the electric wire -2-.

Fig 21: Ground (GND) Cable, Electric Wire & Fasteners

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-- Remove the right lower front longitudinal member.

-- Loosen the hose clamps -arrows-, then clamp off the coolant hoses with the Hose Clamps - Up To 25 mm 3094 and remove the hoses.

Fig 22: Identifying Hose Clamps

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-- Disconnect the left and right connectors -1 and 2-.

Fig 23: Identifying Left And Right Connectors

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-- Remove the connector -arrow- from the mount, disconnect it, and then guide it through the subframe.

Fig 24: Identifying Connector

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Continuation for All 

Fig 25: Locating Nuts

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-- Remove the nuts -1 and 2-, if necessary, and move the GND cable -arrow- to the side.

-- Remove the right and left clip -arrow- from the engine mount bracket and free up the wires and the metal bracket -1-.

Fig 26: Wire Attached To Rear Engine Bracket

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• There is also a wire attached to the rear engine bracket on the left, depending on the engine type.

-- Support the subframe using the Engine and Gearbox Jack VAS 6931 and a piece of hard wood, as shown.

Fig 27: Supporting Subframe Using VAG 1383

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-- Remove the bolt -arrow- for the left and right engine mounts.

Fig 28: Locating Engine Mount Bolts

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-- Mark the location of the subframe to the longitudinal members using a felt-tip pen.

Fig 29: Locating Subframe Bolts

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-- Remove the left and right bolts -1, 2 and 3- from the subframe diagonally and in steps.

-- Lower the subframe using the Engine and Gearbox Jack VAS 6931.

• Replace the attachments later if necessary.