Spring, Removing And Installing, Coil Spring: Removing

-- Mark the installation direction of the coil spring, if the factory installed mark is no longer visible. Refer to Figure.

-- Remove the rear wheel. Refer to WHEELS AND TIRES .

-- Release the retainers in direction of -arrow- and remove the retaining pin -1-.

Courtesy of AUDI

-- Remove the wind deflector -2- from the transverse link.

Right Side of Vehicle:

-- Remove the right underbody trim panel. Refer to OVERVIEW - UNDERBODY TRIM PANELS .

Left Side of Vehicle:

Fig 1: Heat Shield - Bolts

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-- If installed, remove the bolts -arrows- and remove the drive axle heat shield -1-.

-- Final drive 0D3 "quattro sport" : remove the bolts -arrows-, and remove the drive axle heat shield -A- from the rear final drive.

Fig 2: Identifying Left Drive Axle Heat Shield

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-- Remove the bolts -arrows- on the inner CV joint, and tie up the drive axle toward the front.

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-- Place the Spring Tensioning System - Spreader Device:VAS 6274/8  and the Supplement Set - Support Plate for Spreader:VAS 6274/13  , between the front upper transverse link -1- and the longitudinal member as shown, and pretension slightly.

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-- Press the locking plate -2- outward in direction of -arrow A- (open).

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-- Insert the Supplement Set - Thrust Plate with Securing Plate:VAS 6274/12-2  as shown from the outside into the coil spring -1-.

-- Insert the Supplement Set - 89mm Plunger:VAS 6274/12-7  with the Spring Tensioning System - T-Bar:VAS 6274/5  into the thrust plate and turn 90° until the line marking -3- on the thrust plate is flush with the line marking -4- on the plunger.

-- Pull the plunger downward into the thrust plate and secure with the locking plate -arrow B- (close).

-- Remove the Spring Tensioning System - T-Bar:VAS 6274/5  .

Fig 3: Coat Front Area Of New Spindle VAS 6274/10-4 Lightly With Appropriate Grease

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-- Insert the Supplement Set - Thrust Plate with Swivel Bearing:VAS 6274/12-1  as shown from the outside into the coil spring -arrow-.

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-- Lightly lubricate the Spring Tensioning System - Spindle:VAS 6274/3  in the front area and screw loosely into the Supplement Set - 89mm Plunger:VAS 6274/12-7  using the Spring Tensioning System - Socket:VAS 6274/6  .

Courtesy of AUDI

-- Turn the Supplement Set - Thrust Plate with Securing Plate:VAS 6274/12-2  all the way upward and turn the Supplement Set - Thrust Plate with Swivel Bearing:VAS 6274/12-1  all the way downward.

-- Tighten the locking device brackets -2 and 5- to both thrust plates -arrows-.

• The locking device brackets face forward.

-- Screw in the locking device bracket bolts -3- for both thrust plates to the backing plate -4- by hand.

-- Lightly tension the thrust plates using the Spring Tensioning System - Spindle:VAS 6274/3  .

-- Check if the coil spring -1- is seated correctly in the thrust plates.

-- Tension the coil spring with the Spring Tensioning System - Socket:VAS 6274/6  by counterholding with the Spring Tensioning System - Counterhold Tool:VAS 6274/7  .

Courtesy of AUDI

-- Tension the coil spring until it can be removed.

-- If necessary for subsequent work, remove the Spring Tensioning System - Spreader Device:VAS 6274/8  with the Supplement Set - Support Plate for Spreader:VAS 6274/13  .

Release the coil spring tension in the Spring Tensioning System - Hydraulic Tensioner:VAS 6274/9  .

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-- Mount the Supplement Set - Spring Support:VAS 6274/12-3  on the Spring Tensioning System - Hydraulic Tensioner:VAS 6274/9  .

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-- Place the pretensioned coil spring -2- with the bottom side on the spring support.

• The end of the spring coil must rest on the spring support stop -arrow-.

-- Guide the hydraulic tensioner plunger -1- out all the way to the coil spring and do not tighten.

-- Mark the plunger position -1- on the Spring Tensioning System - Hydraulic Tensioner:VAS 6274/9  -arrow A- with a waterproof felt-tip pen, for example.

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-- Mark the position of the anti-twist mechanism -2- on the coil spring -3- -arrow B- with a waterproof felt-tip pen, for example.

-- Release the coil spring tension completely using the Spring Tensioning System - Socket:VAS 6274/6  with the hydraulic tensioner.

-- After the coil spring -1- tension is released, remove the Spring Tensioning System - Spindle:VAS 6274/3  .

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-- Remove the locking device bolts -2- and remove with the backing plate -3-.

-- Remove the Supplement Set - Thrust Plate with Swivel Bearing:VAS 6274/12-1  .

-- Press the locking plate -1- outward in direction of -arrow B- (open).

Courtesy of AUDI

-- Remove the Supplement Set - 89mm Plunger:VAS 6274/12-7  with the Spring Tensioning System - T-Bar:VAS 6274/5  from the Supplement Set - Thrust Plate with Securing Plate:VAS 6274/12-2  .

-- Remove the thrust plate from the coil spring -2-.