Instrument Panel Central Tube, Removing And Installing: Removing

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 9 other vehicles, including the 2015 Audi S7, 2015 Audi RS 7, 2015 Audi A7 Quattro, 2014 Audi S7, and 2014 Audi RS 7. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

-- Remove the instrument panel. Refer to INSTRUMENT PANEL, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Market-specific with knee airbag: Remove the driver knee airbag. Refer to DRIVER SIDE KNEE AIRBAG WITH IGNITER, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the steering column from the instrument panel central tube and lay it on the floor of the vehicle. Refer to STEERING COLUMN, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the screw -3- from the expanding clip and disengage the left instrument panel vent air duct -1- - driver side on the central tube -2-.

Fig 1: Identifying Panel Central Tube Components

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Remove the front passenger side right instrument panel vent air guide on the instrument panel central tube. Refer to FRONT PASSENGER SIDE INSTRUMENT PANEL VENT AIR GUIDE, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the defroster vent air guide and the "indirect ventilation" vent for the windshield. Refer to AIR GUIDE FOR THE DEFROST AIR VENT, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the center instrument panel vent air guide. Refer to Center Instrument Panel Vent Air Guide, Removing And Installing .

-- Remove the A/C unit bracket. Refer to A/C UNIT BRACKET, REMOVING AND INSTALLING .

-- Remove the Fuse Panel B -SB- on the left side and the Fuse Panel C -SC- on the right side from the instrument panel central tube. Refer to FUSE PANEL B, INSTRUMENT PANEL, LEFT SIDE and FUSE PANEL C, INSTRUMENT PANEL, RIGHT SIDE .

-- Disconnect the connectors, unclip wires on the instrument panel central tube and free them up.

-- Remove the screw -1- on the top brace on the instrument panel central tube.

Fig 2: Identifying Bolt -1- On Top Brace On Instrument Panel Central Tube

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Remove the A/C unit bolt -2- on the instrument panel central tube top brace.

-- Vehicles with windshield projection (head up display): Remove the screw -A- from the bracket for the windshield projection head up display control module.

-- Remove bolt -1- for A/C unit on the left and right central tube supports.

Fig 3: Identifying Bolt -1- For A/C Unit On Left And Right Central Tube Supports

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

CAUTION:

Mark height and side position on instrument panel central tube for reinstallation.

-- Remove left and right bolts -2- for instrument panel central tube supports.

-- Remove left and right bolt -1- from the instrument panel central tube.

Fig 4: Tightening Bolt -1- And Nut -3- For Instrument Panel Central Tube

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Remove the left and right nut -3- from the instrument panel central tube.

-- Remove the threaded pin -2- from the instrument panel central tube.

NOTE:

Two technicians are needed to remove instrument panel central tube.

Fig 5: Pulling Out Instrument Panel Central Tube -1- On Driver Side And At Same Time, Disengage It From Air Conditioner -3- And Bracket -2-

Courtesy of AUDI OF AMERICA, LLC

-- Carefully pull out the instrument panel central tube -1- on the driver side and at the same time, disengage it from the air conditioner -3- and bracket -2-.

-- 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.